A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm wherein the nature of the forgiveness of sin is declared, the truth and reality of it asserted, and the case of a soul distressed with the guilt of sin and relieved by a discovery of forgiveness with God is at large discoursed / by John Owen.
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         
           1669
        
      
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             A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm wherein the nature of the forgiveness of sin is declared, the truth and reality of it asserted, and the case of a soul distressed with the guilt of sin and relieved by a discovery of forgiveness with God is at large discoursed / by John Owen.
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [6], 410 [i.e. 408] p.
           
             Printed by Robert White for Nathaniel Ponder,
             London :
             1669.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXXX -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
           Forgiveness of sin.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Practical
           EXPOSITION
           ON
           THE
           130th
           .
           Psalm
           .
           WHEREIN
           The
           Nature
           of
           the
           Forgiveness
           of
           Sin
           is
           declared
           ,
           the
           truth
           and
           reality
           of
           it
           asserted
           .
           AND
           ,
           The
           Case
           of
           a
           Soul
           distressed
           with
           the
           Guilt
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           relieved
           by
           a
           discovery
           of
           Forgiveness
           with
           God
           ,
           is
           at
           large
           discoursed
           .
        
         
           By
           
             John
             Owen
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             John
             5.
             39.
             
          
           Search
           the
           Scriptures
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Robert
             White
          
           ,
           for
           
             Nathaniel
             Ponder
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Sign
           of
           the
           Peacock
           in
           Chancery-Lane
           ,
           near
           Fleet-Street
           .
           1669.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             Christian
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           ensuing
           Exposition
           and
           Discourses
           are
           intended
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           those
           ,
           whose
           spiritual
           state
           and
           condition
           is
           represented
           in
           the
           Psalm
           here
           explained
           .
           That
           these
           are
           not
           a
           few
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           many
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           to
           some
           part
           or
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           who
           believe
           ,
           both
           the
           Scriptures
           and
           their
           own
           Experience
           will
           bear
           Testimony
           .
           Some
           of
           them
           it
           may
           be
           will
           inquire
           into
           ,
           and
           after
           their
           own
           concernments
           as
           they
           are
           here
           declared
           .
           To
           be
           serviceable
           to
           their
           Faith
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Spiritual
           consolation
           ,
           hath
           been
           the
           whole
           of
           my
           design
           .
           If
           they
           meet
           with
           any
           discovery
           of
           Truth
           ,
           any
           due
           application
           of
           it
           to
           their
           consciences
           ,
           any
           declaration
           of
           the
           sense
           and
           mind
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           suitable
           unto
           their
           condition
           ,
           and
           usefull
           to
           their
           edification
           ,
           much
           
           of
           my
           end
           and
           purpose
           is
           obtained
           .
           I
           know
           some
           there
           are
           that
           dislike
           all
           discourses
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           and
           look
           upon
           them
           with
           contempt
           and
           scorn
           .
           But
           why
           they
           should
           so
           do
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           unless
           the
           Gospel
           it self
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           mysteries
           of
           it
           be
           folly
           unto
           them
           .
           Sin
           and
           Grace
           in
           their
           original
           causes
           ,
           various
           respects
           ,
           consequents
           ,
           and
           ends
           ,
           are
           the
           principal
           subjects
           of
           the
           whole
           Scripture
           ,
           of
           the
           whole
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           to
           Mankind
           .
           In
           these
           do
           our
           present
           and
           eternal
           concernments
           lye
           ,
           and
           from
           and
           by
           them
           hath
           God
           designed
           the
           great
           and
           everlasting
           exaltation
           of
           his
           own
           Glory
           .
           Upon
           these
           do
           turn
           all
           the
           transactions
           that
           are
           between
           God
           and
           the
           souls
           of
           men
           .
           That
           it
           should
           be
           an
           endeavour
           needless
           ,
           or
           superfluous
           ,
           to
           inquire
           into
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           about
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           interest
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           who
           can
           imagine
           ?
           Two
           waies
           there
           are
           whereby
           this
           may
           be
           done
           .
           First
           ,
           Speculatively
           ,
           by
           a
           due
           investigation
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           according
           as
           their
           Doctrine
           is
           declared
           in
           the
           Scripture
           .
           An
           endeavour
           according
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           herein
           ,
           is
           just
           and
           commendable
           ,
           and
           comprehensive
           of
           most
           of
           the
           chief
           heads
           of
           Divinity
           .
           But
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           engaged
           in
           for
           its
           own
           sake
           .
           The
           knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           spiritual
           things
           have
           this
           proportion
           unto
           practical
           Sciences
           ,
           that
           the
           end
           of
           all
           its
           notions
           and
           Doctrines
           consists
           in
           practice
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           These
           things
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           practically
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           the
           souls
           and
           consciences
           of
           men
           are
           actually
           concerned
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           conversant
           about
           them
           .
           How
           men
           contract
           the
           guilt
           of
           sin
           ,
           what
           sense
           they
           have
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           have
           thereof
           ,
           what
           danger
           they
           are
           liable
           unto
           thereon
           ,
           what
           perplexities
           and
           distresses
           their
           souls
           and
           consciences
           are
           reduced
           to
           
           thereby
           ,
           what
           courses
           they
           fix
           upon
           for
           their
           relief
           ,
           as
           also
           what
           is
           that
           Grace
           of
           God
           whereby
           alone
           they
           may
           be
           delivered
           ,
           wherein
           it
           consists
           ,
           how
           it
           was
           prepared
           ,
           how
           purchased
           ,
           how
           it
           is
           proposed
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           may
           be
           attained
           ;
           what
           effects
           and
           consequents
           a
           participation
           of
           it
           doth
           produce
           ,
           how
           in
           these
           things
           Faith
           and
           obedience
           unto
           God
           ,
           dependance
           on
           him
           ,
           submission
           to
           him
           ,
           waiting
           for
           him
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           exercised
           ,
           is
           the
           principal
           work
           that
           those
           who
           are
           called
           unto
           the
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ought
           to
           enquire
           into
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           acquaint
           others
           withall
           .
           In
           the
           right
           and
           due
           management
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           whether
           by
           writing
           ,
           or
           oral-instruction
           ,
           with
           prudence
           ,
           diligence
           ,
           and
           zeal
           ,
           doth
           consist
           their
           principal
           usefulness
           in
           reference
           unto
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           everlasting
           welfare
           of
           the
           Souls
           of
           men
           :
           And
           they
           are
           under
           a
           great
           mistake
           ,
           who
           suppose
           it
           an
           easie
           and
           a
           common
           matter
           to
           treat
           of
           these
           practical
           things
           usefully
           ,
           to
           the
           edification
           of
           them
           that
           do
           believe
           .
           Because
           both
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           with
           the
           concerns
           of
           the
           souls
           and
           consciences
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           in
           them
           ,
           require
           that
           they
           be
           handled
           plainly
           ,
           and
           without
           those
           intermixtures
           of
           secular
           Learning
           ,
           and
           additions
           of
           ornaments
           of
           speech
           ,
           which
           discourses
           of
           other
           natures
           may
           ,
           on
           ought
           to
           be
           composed
           and
           set
           off
           withall
           ;
           some
           judging
           by
           meer
           outward
           appearances
           ,
           especially
           if
           they
           be
           of
           them
           from
           whom
           the
           true
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           treated
           of
           are
           hid
           ,
           are
           ready
           to
           despise
           and
           scorn
           the
           plain
           management
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           hath
           nothing
           of
           wisdom
           or
           learning
           accompanying
           of
           it
           ,
           no
           effects
           of
           any
           commendable
           
           ability
           of
           mind
           for
           which
           it
           should
           be
           esteemed
           .
           But
           it
           is
           not
           expressible
           how
           great
           a
           mistake
           such
           persons
           through
           their
           own
           darkness
           and
           ignorance
           do
           labour
           under
           .
           In
           a
           right
           spiritual
           understanding
           ,
           in
           a
           due
           perception
           and
           comprehension
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           the
           things
           of
           the
           sins
           of
           Men
           and
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           consists
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           that
           wisdom
           ,
           of
           that
           soundness
           of
           mind
           ,
           of
           that
           knowledge
           rightly
           so
           called
           ,
           which
           the
           Gospel
           commands
           ,
           exhibits
           and
           puts
           a
           valuation
           upon
           .
           To
           reveal
           and
           declare
           them
           unto
           others
           in
           words
           of
           Truth
           and
           Soberness
           ,
           fit
           and
           meet
           to
           express
           them
           unto
           the
           understandings
           of
           men
           opened
           and
           enlightned
           by
           the
           same
           spirit
           ,
           by
           whom
           the
           things
           themselves
           are
           originally
           revealed
           ,
           to
           derive
           such
           sacred
           spiritual
           Truths
           from
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           due
           preparation
           to
           communicate
           and
           apply
           them
           to
           the
           Souls
           and
           Consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           contains
           a
           principal
           part
           of
           that
           ministerial
           skill
           and
           ability
           which
           are
           required
           in
           the
           dispensers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           wherein
           a
           severe
           exercise
           of
           sound
           learning
           ,
           judgement
           ,
           and
           care
           is
           necessary
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           fully
           expressed
           .
           Into
           this
           Treasurie
           towards
           the
           Service
           of
           the
           House
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           cast
           my
           mite
           in
           the
           ensuing
           Exposition
           and
           discourses
           on
           the
           
             130th
             .
             Psalm
          
           .
           The
           design
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           was
           therein
           to
           express
           and
           represent
           in
           the
           Person
           and
           condition
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           the
           case
           of
           a
           soul
           intangled
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           be
           overwhelmed
           with
           the
           guilt
           of
           sin
           ,
           relieved
           by
           a
           discovery
           of
           Grace
           and
           Forgiveness
           in
           God
           ,
           with
           its
           deportment
           upon
           a
           participation
           of
           that
           relief
           .
           After
           the
           Exposition
           of
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
           Text
           ,
           my
           design
           and
           endeavour
           hath
           been
           only
           to
           enlarge
           the
           Pourtraicture
           here
           given
           us
           in
           the
           Psalm
           ,
           of
           a
           Believing
           soul
           in
           and
           under
           the
           condition
           mentioned
           ;
           to
           render
           the
           lines
           of
           it
           more
           visible
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           Characters
           given
           in
           its
           description
           more
           legible
           ;
           and
           withall
           to
           give
           unto
           others
           in
           the
           like
           condition
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           a
           light
           to
           understand
           and
           discern
           themselves
           in
           that
           Image
           and
           representation
           ,
           which
           is
           here
           made
           of
           them
           in
           the
           Person
           of
           another
           .
           To
           this
           end
           have
           I
           been
           forced
           to
           enlarge
           on
           the
           two
           great
           heads
           of
           Sin
           and
           Grace
           ;
           especially
           on
           the
           latter
           here
           called
           the
           
             forgiveness
             that
             is
             with
             God.
          
           An
           Interest
           herein
           ,
           a
           participation
           hereof
           being
           our
           principal
           concernment
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           sole
           foundation
           of
           all
           our
           expectations
           of
           a
           blessed
           portion
           in
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           ,
           it
           certainly
           requires
           the
           best
           and
           utmost
           of
           our
           endeavours
           ,
           as
           to
           look
           into
           the
           nature
           ,
           causes
           ,
           and
           effects
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           especially
           into
           the
           wayes
           and
           means
           whereby
           we
           may
           be
           made
           partakers
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           how
           that
           participation
           may
           be
           secured
           unto
           us
           unto
           our
           peace
           and
           consolation
           ;
           as
           also
           into
           that
           Love
           ,
           that
           Holiness
           ,
           that
           obedience
           ,
           that
           fruitfulness
           in
           good
           works
           ,
           which
           on
           the
           account
           of
           this
           Grace
           God
           expecteth
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           requireth
           at
           our
           hands
           .
           An
           Explication
           of
           these
           things
           is
           that
           which
           I
           have
           designed
           to
           ensue
           and
           follow
           after
           in
           these
           discourses
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           a
           constant
           eye
           ,
           as
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           to
           the
           sole
           rule
           and
           Standard
           of
           Truth
           ,
           the
           Sacred
           Scriptures
           ,
           especially
           that
           part
           of
           it
           which
           is
           under
           peculiar
           consideration
           ;
           so
           on
           the
           other
           
           to
           the
           Experience
           and
           Service
           unto
           the
           edification
           of
           them
           that
           do
           believe
           ,
           whose
           spiritual
           benefit
           and
           advantage
           without
           any
           other
           consideration
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           armed
           at
           in
           the
           publishing
           of
           them
           .
        
      
       
         
           Imprimatur
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Octob.
               12.
               1668.
               
            
          
           
             Rob.
             Grove
             .
             R.
             P.
             Humph.
             Dom.
             Episc.
             Lond.
             à
             sac
             .
             Dom.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           AN
           EXPOSITION
           UPON
           PSALM
           CXXX
           .
        
         
           
             Psalm
             130.
             
          
           
             
               OUt
               of
               the
               depths
               have
               I
               cryed
               unto
               thee
               ,
               O
               Lord.
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               hear
               my
               voyce
               ,
               let
               thine
               ears
               be
               attentive
               to
               the
               voyce
               of
               my
               supplications
               .
            
             
               If
               thou
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               shouldst
               mark
               iniquities
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               who
               shall
               stand
               ?
            
             
               But
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               thee
               :
               that
               thou
               maist
               be
               feared
               .
            
             
               I
               wait
               for
               the
               Lord
               ,
               my
               soul
               doth
               wait
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               word
               do
               I
               hope
               .
            
             
               My
               soul
               waiteth
               for
               the
               Lord
               ,
               more
               than
               they
               ,
               that
               watch
               for
               the
               morning
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               more
               than
               they
               that
               watch
               for
               the
               morning
               .
            
             
               Let
               Israel
               hope
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               with
               the
               Lord
               there
               is
               mercy
               ,
               and
               with
               him
               is
               plenteous
               Redemption
               .
            
             
               And
               he
               shall
               redeem
               Israel
               from
               all
               his
               Iniquities
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             A
             PARAPHRASE
             .
          
           
             
               Verse
               1
               ,
               2.
               
            
             
               
               O
               Lord
               ,
               through
               my
               manifold
               sins
               and
               provocations
               I
               have
               brought
               my self
               into
               great
               distresses
               .
               Mine
               Iniquities
               are
               alwayes
               before
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               ready
               to
               be
               overwhelmed
               with
               them
               ,
               as
               with
               a
               flood
               of
               waters
               ,
               for
               they
               have
               brought
               me
               into
               depths
               ,
               wherein
               I
               am
               ready
               to
               be
               swallowed
               up
               .
               But
               yet
               although
               my
               distress
               be
               great
               and
               perplexing
               ;
               I
               do
               not
               ,
               I
               dare
               not
               utterly
               despond
               and
               cast
               away
               all
               hopes
               of
               relief
               or
               recovery
               .
               Nor
               do
               I
               seek
               unto
               any
               other
               remedy
               ,
               way
               or
               means
               of
               relief
               ,
               but
               I
               apply
               my self
               to
               thee
               Jehovah
               ,
               to
               thee
               alone
               .
               And
               in
               this
               my
               Application
               unto
               thee
               ,
               the
               greatness
               and
               urgency
               of
               my
               troubles
               makes
               my
               soul
               urgent
               ,
               earnest
               ,
               and
               pressing
               in
               my
               supplications
               .
               Whilst
               I
               have
               no
               rest
               ,
               I
               can
               give
               thee
               no
               rest
               ;
               Oh
               therefore
               attend
               and
               hearken
               unto
               the
               voyce
               of
               my
               crying
               and
               supplications
               .
            
          
           
             
               Ver.
               3.
               
            
             
               
               IT
               is
               true
               O
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               God
               great
               and
               terrible
               ,
               that
               if
               thou
               shouldst
               deal
               with
               me
               in
               this
               Condition
               ,
               with
               any
               man
               living
               ,
               with
               the
               best
               of
               thy
               Saints
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               strict
               and
               exact
               tenor
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               which
               first
               represents
               it self
               to
               my
               guilty
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               troubled
               soul
               ;
               If
               thou
               shouldst
               take
               notice
               of
               ,
               observe
               ,
               and
               keep
               in
               Remembrance
               ,
               mine
               ,
               or
               their
               ,
               or
               the
               Iniquity
               of
               any
               one
               ,
               to
               the
               end
               that
               thou
               mightest
               deal
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               recompence
               unto
               them
               according
               to
               the
               sentence
               thereof
               ;
               there
               would
               be
               neither
               for
               me
               ,
               nor
               them
               ,
               any
               the
               least
               expectation
               of
               deliverance
               ;
               all
               flesh
               must
               fail
               before
               thee
               ,
               and
               the
               spirits
               which
               thou
               hast
               made
               ,
               and
               that
               to
               Eternity
               ;
               for
               who
               could
               stand
               before
               thee
               ,
               when
               thou
               shouldst
               so
               execute
               thy
               displeasure
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Ver.
               4.
               
            
             
               
               BUt
               O
               Lord
               ,
               this
               is
               not
               absolutely
               and
               universally
               the
               state
               of
               things
               between
               thy
               Majesty
               and
               poor
               sinners
               ;
               Thou
               art
               in
               thy
               Nature
               infinitely
               Good
               and
               Gracious
               ,
               ready
               and
               free
               in
               the
               purposes
               of
               thy
               will
               to
               receive
               them
               .
               And
               there
               is
               such
               a
               blessed
               way
               made
               for
               the
               exercise
               of
               the
               holy
               inclinations
               and
               purposes
               of
               thy
               heart
               towards
               them
               ,
               in
               the
               mediation
               and
               blood
               of
               thy
               dear
               Son
               ,
               That
               they
               have
               assured
               foundations
               of
               concluding
               and
               believing
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               pardon
               and
               forgiveness
               with
               thee
               for
               them
               ;
               and
               which
               in
               the
               way
               of
               thine
               appointments
               they
               may
               be
               partakers
               of
               .
               This
               way
               therefore
               will
               I
               ,
               with
               all
               that
               fear
               thee
               persist
               in
               :
               I
               will
               not
               give
               over
               ,
               leave
               thee
               ,
               or
               turn
               from
               thee
               ,
               through
               my
               fears
               ,
               discouragements
               ,
               and
               despondencies
               ;
               but
               will
               abide
               constantly
               in
               the
               observation
               of
               the
               worship
               which
               thou
               hast
               prescribed
               ;
               and
               the
               performance
               of
               the
               Obedience
               which
               thou
               dost
               require
               ;
               having
               great
               encouragements
               so
               to
               do
               .
            
          
           
             
               Ver.
               5.
               
            
             
               
               ANd
               herein
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               the
               forgiveness
               that
               is
               with
               thee
               ,
               
                 O
                 Lord
              
               ,
               do
               I
               wait
               with
               all
               patience
               ,
               quietness
               and
               perseverance
               .
               In
               this
               work
               is
               my
               whole
               soul
               engaged
               ;
               even
               in
               an
               earnest
               expectation
               of
               thy
               approach
               unto
               me
               ,
               in
               a
               way
               of
               grace
               and
               mercy
               .
               And
               for
               my
               encouragement
               therein
               ,
               hast
               thou
               given
               out
               unto
               me
               a
               blessed
               word
               of
               Grace
               ,
               a
               faithful
               word
               of
               promise
               ,
               wherein
               my
               hope
               is
               fixed
               .
            
          
           
             
               Ver.
               6.
               
            
             
               
               YEa
               ,
               in
               the
               performance
               ,
               and
               discharge
               of
               this
               duty
               ,
               my
               soul
               is
               intent
               upon
               thee
               ,
               and
               in
               its
               whole
               frame
               turned
               towards
               thee
               ,
               and
               that
               with
               such
               diligence
               and
               watchfulness
               in
               looking
               out
               after
               every
               way
               ,
               and
               means
               of
               thy
               appearance
               ,
               of
               thy
               manifestation
               of
               thy self
               ,
               and
               coming
               unto
               me
               ,
               that
               I
               excell
               therein
               those
               who
               with
               longing
               desire
               ,
               heedfulness
               ,
               and
               earnest
               expectation
               ,
               do
               wait
               and
               watch
               for
               the
               appearance
               of
               the
               morning
               ;
               and
               that
               either
               that
               they
               may
               rest
               from
               their
               night
               watches
               ,
               or
               have
               light
               for
               the
               duties
               of
               thy
               Worship
               in
               the
               Temple
               ,
               which
               they
               are
               most
               delighted
               in
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               Ver.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
            
             
               
               HErein
               have
               I
               found
               that
               Rest
               ,
               peace
               ,
               and
               satisfaction
               unto
               my
               own
               soul
               ,
               that
               I
               cannot
               but
               invite
               and
               encourage
               others
               ,
               in
               the
               like
               Condition
               to
               take
               the
               same
               course
               with
               me
               .
               Let
               then
               all
               the
               Israel
               of
               God
               ,
               all
               that
               fear
               him
               ,
               learn
               this
               of
               me
               ,
               and
               from
               my
               experience
               .
               Be
               not
               hasty
               in
               your
               distresses
               ;
               despond
               not
               ,
               despair
               not
               ,
               turn
               not
               aside
               unto
               other
               remedies
               ;
               but
               hope
               in
               the
               Lord
               ;
               for
               I
               can
               now
               in
               an
               especial
               manner
               ,
               give
               testimony
               unto
               this
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               mercy
               with
               him
               suited
               unto
               your
               relief
               .
               Yea
               ,
               whatever
               your
               distress
               be
               ,
               the
               Redemption
               that
               is
               with
               him
               ,
               is
               so
               bounteous
               ,
               plenteous
               and
               unsearchable
               ,
               that
               the
               undoubted
               issue
               of
               your
               performance
               of
               this
               duty
               will
               be
               ;
               that
               you
               shall
               be
               delivered
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               all
               your
               sins
               ;
               and
               the
               perplexities
               of
               all
               your
               troubles
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             General
             Scope
             of
             the
             whole
             Psalm
             .
          
           
             
             THE
             design
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             in
             this
             Psalm
             is
             to
             express
             in
             the
             Experience
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             and
             the
             working
             of
             his
             faith
             ,
             the
             state
             and
             condition
             of
             a
             soul
             greatly
             in
             it self
             perplexed
             ,
             relieved
             on
             the
             account
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             acting
             it self
             towards
             God
             and
             his
             Saints
             ,
             suitably
             to
             the
             discovery
             of
             that
             Grace
             unto
             him
             .
             A
             great
             design
             ,
             and
             full
             of
             great
             Instruction
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             general
             Prospect
             gives
             us
             the
             parts
             ,
             and
             scope
             of
             the
             whole
             Psalm
             :
             for
             (
             1.
             )
             We
             have
             the
             
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
            
             therein
             represented
             ,
             with
             his
             deportment
             in
             and
             under
             that
             state
             and
             condition
             ,
             in
             ver
             .
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Out
               of
               the
               depths
               have
               I
               cryed
               unto
               thee
               O
               Lord
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               hear
               my
               voyce
               ,
               let
               thine
               ears
               be
               attentive
               to
               the
               voyce
               of
               my
               supplications
               .
            
          
           
             (
             2.
             )
             
               His
               enquiry
               after
               relief
            
             ;
             and
             therein
             are
             two
             things
             that
             present
             themselves
             unto
             him
             ;
             the
             one
             whereof
             ,
             which
             first
             offers
             the
             consideration
             of
             its
             self
             to
             him
             in
             his
             distress
             ,
             he
             
               deprecates
               ,
               ver
            
             .
             3.
             
             
               If
               thou
               Lord
               shouldst
               mark
               iniquity
               ,
               O
               Lord
               who
               shall
               stand
               ?
            
          
           
             The
             other
             he
             
               closeth
               withal
            
             ,
             and
             finds
             relief
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             supportment
             by
             it
             ,
             ver
             .
             5.
             
             
               But
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               thee
               that
               thou
               mayest
               be
               feared
               .
            
          
           
             Upon
             this
             his
             discovery
             and
             fixing
             on
             relief
             ,
             there
             is
             the
             
               acting
               of
               his
               Faith
            
             ,
             and
             the
             deportment
             of
             his
             whole
             Person
             ;
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Towards
               God
            
             ;
             ver
             .
             5
             ,
             6.
             
             
               
                 I
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 my
                 soul
                 doth
                 wait
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 word
                 do
                 I
                 hope
                 .
              
               
                 My
                 soul
                 waiteth
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 that
                 watch
                 
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 that
                 watch
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 .
              
            
          
           
             2.
             
             
               Towards
               the
               Saints
               ,
               ver
            
             .
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             
               
                 Let
                 Israel
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 there
                 is
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 is
                 plenteous
                 Redemption
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 he
                 shall
                 redeem
                 Israel
                 from
                 all
                 his
                 Iniquities
                 .
              
            
          
           
             All
             which
             parts
             ,
             and
             the
             various
             concernments
             of
             them
             ,
             must
             be
             opened
             severally
             .
          
           
             And
             this
             also
             gives
             an
             account
             of
             what
             is
             my
             design
             from
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             words
             of
             this
             Psalm
             ;
             namely
             ,
             to
             declare
             the
             
               perplexed
               intanglements
               which
               may
               befall
               a
               gracious
               soul
               ,
            
             such
             a
             one
             as
             this
             Psalmist
             was
             ;
             with
             the
             nature
             and
             
               proper
               workings
               of
               Faith
            
             in
             such
             a
             condition
             :
             Principally
             aiming
             at
             what
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             gives
             a
             soul
             
               relief
               and
               supportment
               in
            
             ,
             and
             afterward
             deliverance
             from
             ,
             such
             a
             perplexed
             estate
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Lord
               in
               Mercy
               ,
               dispose
               of
               these
               Meditations
               in
               such
               a
               way
               and
               manner
               ,
               as
               that
               both
               he
               that
               writes
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               read
               ,
               may
               be
               made
               partakers
               of
               the
               benefit
               ,
               relief
               ,
               and
               consolation
               ,
               intended
               for
               his
               Saints
               in
               this
               Psalm
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 The
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 represented
                 in
                 the
                 Psalm
                 .
                 The
                 two
                 first
                 Verses
                 opened
                 .
              
            
             
               
               The
               State
               and
               Condition
               of
               the
               soul
               here
               represented
               ,
               as
               the
               Basis
               on
               which
               the
               process
               of
               the
               Psalm
               is
               built
               ;
               with
               its
               deportment
               ,
               or
               the
               general
               acting
               of
               its
               Faith
               in
               that
               state
               ,
               is
               expressed
               in
               the
               two
               first
               Verses
               .
               
                 
                   Out
                   of
                   the
                   depths
                   have
                   I
                   cryed
                   unto
                   thee
                   O
                   Lord.
                
                 
                   Lord
                   hear
                   my
                   voyce
                   ;
                   let
                   thine
                   ears
                   be
                   attentive
                   to
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   my
                   supplications
                   .
                
              
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               
                 present
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 soul
              
               under
               consideration
               is
               included
               in
               that
               expression
               ,
               
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Depths
              
               .
            
             
               Some
               of
               the
               Antients
               ,
               as
               Chrysostom
               ,
               suppose
               this
               expression
               to
               relate
               unto
               the
               
                 depths
                 of
                 the
                 heart
              
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 not
                 from
                 the
                 mouth
                 or
                 tongue
                 only
                 ,
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 but
                 from
                 the
                 depth
                 and
                 bottom
                 of
                 the
                 heart
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 from
                 the
                 deepest
                 recesses
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               indeed
               the
               word
               is
               used
               to
               express
               the
               
                 depths
                 of
                 the
              
               
               
                 hearts
                 of
                 Men
              
               ;
               but
               utterly
               in
               another
               sense
               ;
               Psal.
               64.
               6.
               
               
                 The
                 heart
                 is
                 deep
              
               .
            
             
               But
               the
               obvious
               sense
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               and
               the
               constant
               use
               of
               the
               word
               will
               not
               admit
               of
               this
               Interpretation
               :
               
                 è
                 Profund
                 is
              
               ,
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 profundus
                 fuit
              
               ,
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               in
               the
               
                 plural
                 number
                 ,
                 Profunditates
              
               ,
               or
               depths
               .
               It
               is
               commonly
               used
               for
               Vallies
               or
               any
               
                 deep
                 places
              
               whatever
               ,
               but
               especially
               of
               
                 Waters
                 .
                 Vallies
              
               and
               
                 deep
                 Places
              
               ,
               because
               of
               their
               Darkness
               and
               Solitariness
               ,
               are
               accounted
               places
               of
               horror
               ,
               helplesness
               and
               trouble
               ,
               Psal.
               23.
               4.
               
               
                 When
                 I
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 Valley
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               the
               extremity
               of
               danger
               and
               trouble
               .
            
             
               The
               Moral
               use
               of
               the
               word
               ,
               as
               expressing
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               souls
               of
               men
               ,
               is
               metaphorical
               .
               These
               Depths
               then
               ,
               are
               difficulties
               ,
               or
               pressures
               ,
               attended
               with
               fear
               ,
               horror
               ,
               danger
               and
               trouble
               .
            
             
               And
               they
               are
               of
               two
               sorts
               :
            
             
               1.
               
               Providential
               ;
               in
               respect
               of
               
                 outward
                 distresses
              
               ,
               Calamities
               ,
               and
               Afflictions
               ,
               Psal.
               69.
               1.
               
               
                 Save
                 me
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 waters
                 are
                 come
                 in
                 unto
                 my
                 soul
                 ;
                 I
                 stick
                 in
                 the
                 mire
                 of
                 the
                 deep
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 standing
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 come
                 ,
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 of
                 waters
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 flood
                 overflows
                 me
                 .
              
               It
               is
               trouble
               and
               the
               extremity
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               the
               Psalmist
               complains
               of
               ,
               and
               which
               he
               thus
               expresseth
               .
               He
               was
               brought
               by
               it
               into
               a
               condition
               like
               unto
               a
               man
               
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 drowned
              
               ;
               being
               cast
               into
               the
               bottom
               of
               deep
               and
               miry
               waters
               ;
               where
               he
               had
               no
               
                 firm
                 foundation
              
               to
               stand
               upon
               ,
               nor
               ability
               to
               come
               out
               :
               as
               he
               farther
               explains
               himself
               ,
               ver
               .
               15.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               are
               
                 internal
                 Depths
              
               .
               Depths
               of
               Conscience
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               sin
               ,
               Psal.
               88.
               6.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 laid
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 lowest
                 pit
                 ,
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 deeps
                 .
              
               What
               he
               intends
               by
               this
               expression
               ,
               the
               Psalmist
               declares
               in
               the
               next
               words
               ,
               v.
               7.
               
               
                 Thy
                 wrath
                 lyeth
                 hard
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 Sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
              
               upon
               his
               conscience
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               sin
               ,
               was
               the
               deep
               he
               was
               cast
               into
               .
               So
               v.
               15.
               speaking
               of
               the
               same
               matter
               ;
               saith
               he
               ;
               I
               
                 suffer
                 thy
                 terrors
              
               ,
               and
               v.
               16.
               
               Thy
               
                 fierce
                 wrath
                 goeth
                 over
                 me
              
               .
               Which
               he
               calls
               water
               ,
               waves
               ,
               and
               deeps
               ;
               according
               to
               the
               Metaphor
               before
               opened
               .
            
             
               And
               these
               are
               the
               deeps
               that
               are
               here
               principally
               intended
               .
               
               
                 Clamat
                 sub
                 molibus
                 &
                 fluctibus
                 iniquitatum
                 suarum
                 ,
              
               sayes
               Austin
               on
               the
               place
               .
               He
               
                 cryes
                 out
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 and
                 waves
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               the
               ensuing
               Psalm
               makes
               evident
               .
               Desiring
               to
               be
               delivered
               from
               these
               depths
               out
               of
               which
               he
               cryed
               ;
               he
               deals
               with
               God
               wholly
               about
               mercy
               and
               forgiveness
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               sin
               alone
               ,
               from
               which
               forgiveness
               is
               a
               Deliverance
               .
               The
               Doctrine
               also
               that
               he
               preacheth
               upon
               his
               Delivery
               ,
               is
               that
               of
               
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
              
               and
               Redemption
               ,
               as
               is
               manifest
               from
               the
               close
               of
               the
               Psalm
               .
               And
               what
               we
               have
               deliverance
               by
               ,
               is
               most
               upon
               our
               hearts
               when
               we
               are
               delivered
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               that
               these
               deeps
               do
               oftentimes
               concurr
               :
               as
               David
               speaks
               ,
               
                 Deep
                 calleth
                 upon
                 deep
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               4.
               2.
               7.
               
               The
               deeps
               of
               Affliction
               ,
               awaken
               the
               Conscience
               to
               a
               deep
               sense
               of
               sin
               .
               But
               sin
               is
               the
               Disease
               ;
               Affliction
               only
               a
               Symptome
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               in
               attending
               a
               Cure
               ,
               the
               disease
               it self
               is
               principally
               to
               be
               heeded
               ,
               the
               symptome
               will
               follow
               ,
               or
               depart
               of
               its
               self
               .
            
             
               Many
               Interpreters
               think
               that
               this
               was
               now
               Davids
               condition
               ;
               by
               great
               trouble
               and
               distress
               ,
               he
               was
               greatly
               minded
               of
               sin
               ;
               and
               we
               must
               not
               therefore
               wholly
               pass
               over
               that
               intendment
               of
               the
               word
               ,
               though
               we
               are
               chiefly
               to
               respect
               that
               ,
               which
               he
               himself
               in
               this
               address
               unto
               God
               ,
               did
               principally
               regard
               .
            
             
               This
               in
               general
               is
               the
               
                 state
                 and
                 condition
              
               of
               the
               soul
               mannaged
               in
               this
               Psalm
               ;
               and
               is
               as
               the
               key
               to
               the
               ensuing
               discourse
               ,
               or
               the
               hinge
               on
               which
               it
               turns
               .
               As
               to
               my
               intendment
               from
               the
               Psalm
               :
               That
               which
               ariseth
               from
               hence
               ,
               may
               be
               comprized
               in
               these
               two
               Propositions
               .
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     Gracious
                     souls
                     ,
                     after
                     much
                     Communion
                     with
                     God
                     ,
                     may
                     be
                     brought
                     into
                     inextricable
                     depths
                     and
                     intanglements
                     on
                     the
                     account
                     of
                     sin
                     .
                  
                   For
                   such
                   the
                   Psalmist
                   here
                   expresseth
                   his
                   own
                   condition
                   to
                   have
                   been
                   ;
                   and
                   such
                   he
                   was
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     The
                     inward
                     root
                     of
                     outward
                     distresses
                     ,
                     is
                     principally
                     to
                     be
                     attended
                     in
                     all
                     pressing
                     tryals
                     ;
                     sin
                     ,
                     in
                     Afflictions
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   
                   Gracious
                   souls
                   may
                   be
                   brought
                   into
                   depths
                   on
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   What
                   those
                   Depths
                   are
                   .
                
              
               
                 Before
                 I
                 proceed
                 at
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 farther
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 ;
                 they
                 having
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 respect
                 unto
                 the
                 Proposition
                 first
                 laid
                 down
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 explain
                 and
                 confirm
                 the
                 truth
                 contained
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 understood
                 ,
                 
                   what
                   we
                   say
                   ,
                   and
                   whereof
                   we
                   do
                   affirm
                
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 process
                 of
                 our
                 Discourse
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 
                   sad
                   Truth
                
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 proposed
                 unto
                 consideration
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 hears
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 tremble
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 trouble
                 ;
                 It
                 speaks
                 out
                 the
                 Apostles
                 advice
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   not
                   high
                   minded
                   ,
                   but
                   fear
                
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 also
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   that
                   thinketh
                   he
                   standeth
                   ,
                   take
                   heed
                   lest
                   he
                   fall
                   .
                
                 When
                 Peter
                 had
                 learned
                 this
                 truth
                 by
                 woful
                 experience
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 his
                 boldness
                 and
                 forwardness
                 ,
                 he
                 gives
                 this
                 Councel
                 to
                 all
                 Saints
                 :
                 
                   that
                   they
                   would
                   pass
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   their
                   sojourning
                   here
                   in
                   fear
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 14.
                 
                 Knowing
                 how
                 near
                 in
                 our
                 greatest
                 peace
                 and
                 serenity
                 ,
                 evil
                 and
                 danger
                 may
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 .
              
               
                 Some
                 few
                 instances
                 of
                 the
                 many
                 that
                 are
                 left
                 on
                 record
                 ,
                 wherein
                 this
                 Truth
                 is
                 exemplified
                 may
                 be
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Gen.
                 6.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Noah
                   was
                   a
                   just
                   man
                   ,
                   perfect
                   in
                   his
                   Generation
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Noah
                 
                   walked
                   with
                   God.
                
                 He
                 did
                 so
                 a
                 long
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 an
                 evil
                 time
                 ,
                 amidst
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 
                   When
                   all
                   flesh
                   had
                   corrupted
                   its
                   way
                   upon
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 ver
                 .
                 12.
                 
                 This
                 put
                 an
                 eminency
                 upon
                 his
                 obedience
                 ;
                 and
                 doubtless
                 rendred
                 the
                 Communion
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 
                   walking
                   before
                   him
                
                 ,
                 most
                 sweet
                 and
                 precious
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 
                   gracious
                   soul
                
                 upon
                 the
                 redoubled
                 Testimony
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 know
                 what
                 befell
                 this
                 
                   holy
                   Person
                
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 shall
                 read
                 the
                 story
                 that
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 9.
                 21.
                 will
                 easily
                 grant
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 brought
                 into
                 
                   inextricable
                   distress
                
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 His
                 own
                 
                   drunkenness
                   ,
                   ver
                
                 .
                 21.
                 with
                 the
                 consequent
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 gives
                 scandal
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 provokes
                 the
                 
                   unnatural
                   lust
                
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 v.
                 22.
                 and
                 this
                 leads
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 
                   devoting
                   of
                   that
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Posterity
                 unto
                 Destruction
                 ,
                 v.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 joyned
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                   just
                   indignation
                
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 newly
                 received
                 that
                 tremendously
                 miraculous
                 
                 deliverance
                 ;
                 must
                 needs
                 
                   overwhelm
                   him
                
                 with
                 sorrow
                 and
                 anxiety
                 of
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 matter
                 is
                 more
                 clear
                 in
                 David
                 .
                 Under
                 the
                 Old
                 Testament
                 none
                 
                   loved
                   God
                
                 more
                 than
                 he
                 ,
                 none
                 was
                 
                   loved
                   of
                   God
                
                 more
                 than
                 he
                 .
                 The
                 Paths
                 of
                 
                   Faith
                   and
                   Love
                
                 wherein
                 he
                 walked
                 ,
                 are
                 unto
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 an
                 Eagle
                 in
                 the
                 Air
                 ,
                 too
                 high
                 and
                 hard
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 Yet
                 to
                 this
                 very
                 day
                 ,
                 do
                 the
                 cryes
                 of
                 
                   this
                   Man
                   after
                   Gods
                   own
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 sound
                 in
                 our
                 Ears
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 complains
                 of
                 
                   broken
                   bones
                
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 of
                 
                   drowning
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 of
                 waves
                 and
                 water-spouts
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 of
                 wounds
                 and
                 diseases
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 of
                 Wrath
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   sorrows
                   of
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 every
                 where
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 the
                 burden
                 and
                 trouble
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Some
                 of
                 the
                 occasions
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 Depths
                 ,
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 Intanglements
                 and
                 Distresses
                 ,
                 we
                 all
                 know
                 .
                 As
                 no
                 man
                 had
                 
                   more
                   Grace
                
                 than
                 he
                 ,
                 so
                 none
                 is
                 a
                 greater
                 instance
                 of
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 its
                 guilt
                 upon
                 the
                 conscience
                 than
                 he
                 .
                 But
                 Instances
                 of
                 this
                 kind
                 are
                 obvious
                 ,
                 and
                 occurr
                 to
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 need
                 not
                 be
                 repeated
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 then
                 shew
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 What
                 in
                 particular
                 
                   is
                   intended
                   by
                   the
                   depths
                   and
                   intanglements
                   on
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   whereinto
                   gracious
                   souls
                   after
                   much
                   Communion
                   with
                   God
                   may
                   be
                   cast
                   .
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Whence
                   it
                   comes
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   that
                   so
                   they
                   may
                   be
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   oftentimes
                   so
                   they
                   are
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 For
                 the
                 First
                 ,
                 some
                 or
                 all
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 following
                 do
                 concurr
                 to
                 the
                 Depths
                 here
                 complained
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   Loss
                   of
                   the
                   wonted
                   sense
                   of
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   which
                   the
                   soul
                   did
                   formerly
                   enjoy
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 twofold
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 whereof
                 Believers
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 
                   transient
                   affecting
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 with
                 ravishing
                 
                   unspeakable
                   joyes
                
                 ,
                 in
                 apprehension
                 of
                 Gods
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Relation
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 Christ.
                 This
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 immediate
                 effect
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   called
                   ,
                   joy
                   unspeakable
                   and
                   full
                   of
                   glory
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 The
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 shining
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 
                   clear
                   evidence
                
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 interest
                 in
                 all
                 Gospel
                 Mercies
                 ,
                 causeth
                 it
                 to
                 leap
                 for
                 joy
                 ,
                 to
                 exult
                 ,
                 and
                 triumph
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 as
                 being
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 carried
                 above
                 all
                 sense
                 and
                 thought
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 self
                 ,
                 temptation
                 ,
                 or
                 trouble
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 God
                 gives
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 his
                 House
                 
                 unto
                 all
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 so
                 these
                 dainties
                 ,
                 and
                 high
                 Cordials
                 he
                 reserveth
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 seasons
                 ,
                 and
                 Persons
                 ,
                 wherein
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 knows
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 needful
                 ,
                 and
                 useful
                 .
                 Believers
                 may
                 be
                 without
                 
                   this
                   sense
                   of
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 in
                 no
                 depths
                 .
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 be
                 strong
                 and
                 healthy
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 wholsom
                 food
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 never
                 drink
                 Spirits
                 and
                 Cordials
                 .
              
               
                 Again
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 
                   an
                   abiding
                   ,
                   dwelling
                   sense
                   of
                   Gods
                   Love
                
                 upon
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 those
                 of
                 whom
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 had
                 long
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 consisting
                 in
                 a
                 
                   prevailing
                   Gospel
                   perswasion
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 accepted
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Christ.
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Being
                   justified
                   by
                   faith
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   peace
                   with
                   God.
                
                 I
                 call
                 it
                 a
                 
                   prevailing
                   perswasion
                
                 ,
                 denoting
                 both
                 the
                 opposition
                 that
                 is
                 made
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 Satan
                 and
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 efficacy
                 in
                 the
                 conquest
                 thereof
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 root
                 from
                 whence
                 all
                 that
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   ordinary
                   consolation
                
                 which
                 Believers
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 are
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 ,
                 do
                 spring
                 and
                 grow
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 quickens
                 and
                 enlivens
                 them
                 unto
                 Duty
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 116.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 and
                 is
                 the
                 salt
                 that
                 renders
                 their
                 Sacrifices
                 and
                 
                   Performances
                   savoury
                
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 refreshing
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 This
                 supports
                 them
                 under
                 their
                 tryals
                 ,
                 gives
                 them
                 peace
                 ,
                 hope
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 Life
                 and
                 Death
                 .
                 Psal.
                 23.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Though
                   I
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   the
                   shaddow
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   fear
                   no
                   evil
                   ,
                   for
                   thou
                   art
                   with
                   me
                   .
                
                 A
                 sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                   Presence
                   in
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 rebuke
                 all
                 anxiety
                 and
                 fears
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 worst
                 and
                 most
                 dreadful
                 condition
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 give
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   solid
                   Consolation
                
                 and
                 Joy.
                 So
                 the
                 Prophet
                 expresseth
                 it
                 ;
                 Hab.
                 3.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   Although
                   the
                   Fig-tree
                   shall
                   not
                   blessom
                   ,
                   neither
                   shall
                   fruit
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   Vines
                   ,
                   the
                   labour
                   of
                   the
                   Olive
                   shall
                   fail
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   fields
                   shall
                   yield
                   no
                   meat
                   ;
                   the
                   flocks
                   shall
                   be
                   cut
                   off
                   from
                   the
                   fold
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   no
                   herd
                   in
                   the
                   stalls
                   ;
                   yet
                   I
                   will
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   joy
                   in
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   my
                   salvation
                   .
                
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 choicest
                 Believers
                 may
                 lose
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 
                   one
                   step
                
                 into
                 their
                 depths
                 .
                 They
                 shall
                 not
                 retain
                 any
                 such
                 
                   Gospel
                   apprehension
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 give
                 them
                 rest
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 or
                 consolation
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 influence
                 their
                 souls
                 with
                 delight
                 in
                 Duty
                 ,
                 or
                 supportment
                 in
                 tryal
                 ;
                 And
                 the
                 Nature
                 hereof
                 will
                 be
                 afterwards
                 more
                 fully
                 explained
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Perplexed
                   thoughtfulness
                   about
                   their
                   great
                   and
                   wretched
                
                 
                 
                   unkindness
                   towards
                   God
                
                 ,
                 are
                 another
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Depths
                 of
                 sin-intangled
                 souls
                 .
                 So
                 David
                 complains
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 77.
                 3.
                 
                 I
                 
                   remembred
                   God
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   was
                   troubled
                
                 .
                 How
                 comes
                 the
                 
                   Remembrance
                   of
                   God
                
                 to
                 be
                 unto
                 him
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 trouble
                 ?
                 in
                 other
                 Places
                 he
                 professeth
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 all
                 his
                 relief
                 and
                 supportment
                 .
                 How
                 comes
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 his
                 trouble
                 ?
                 All
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 well
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 whereas
                 formerly
                 in
                 his
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 thoughts
                 were
                 chiefly
                 exercised
                 about
                 his
                 
                   Love
                   and
                   Kindness
                
                 ,
                 now
                 they
                 were
                 wholly
                 possest
                 with
                 his
                 
                   own
                   sin
                   and
                   unkindness
                
                 .
                 This
                 causeth
                 his
                 trouble
                 .
                 Herein
                 lyes
                 a
                 share
                 of
                 the
                 intanglements
                 occasioned
                 by
                 sin
                 .
                 Saith
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 ;
                 
                   foolish
                   creature
                
                 ,
                 hast
                 thou
                 thus
                 requited
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 return
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 made
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 all
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 his
                 kindness
                 ,
                 his
                 consolations
                 ,
                 mercies
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 kindness
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 thy
                 love
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 kindness
                 to
                 
                   thy
                   Friend
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 boasting
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 found
                 so
                 much
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Excellency
                 in
                 him
                 and
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 all
                 men
                 
                   should
                   forsake
                   him
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 never
                 wouldst
                 do
                 so
                 ?
                 Are
                 all
                 thy
                 Promises
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 Engagements
                 which
                 thou
                 madest
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 times
                 of
                 distress
                 ,
                 upon
                 prevailing
                 obligations
                 ,
                 and
                 mighty
                 impressions
                 of
                 his
                 Good
                 Spirit
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 now
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 so
                 foolishly
                 forget
                 ,
                 neglect
                 ,
                 despise
                 ,
                 cast
                 him
                 off
                 ?
                 Well!
                 now
                 
                   he
                   is
                   gone
                
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 withdrawn
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 wilt
                 thou
                 do
                 ?
                 Art
                 thou
                 not
                 even
                 ashamed
                 to
                 desire
                 him
                 to
                 return
                 ?
                 They
                 were
                 thoughts
                 of
                 this
                 nature
                 ,
                 that
                 cut
                 Peter
                 
                   to
                   the
                   heart
                
                 upon
                 his
                 fall
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 finds
                 them
                 
                   cruel
                   as
                   Death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   strong
                   as
                   the
                   Grave
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 bound
                 in
                 the
                 
                   chains
                   of
                   them
                
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 be
                 comforted
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 38.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 herein
                 consists
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 depths
                 enquired
                 after
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 consideration
                 excites
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 an
                 edge
                 upon
                 all
                 grieving
                 ,
                 straightning
                 ,
                 perplexing
                 Affections
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 only
                 means
                 whereby
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 be
                 inwardly
                 troubled
                 ,
                 or
                 trouble
                 it self
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 sorrow
                 and
                 shame
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 self-displicency
                 and
                 Revenge
                 wherewith
                 they
                 are
                 attended
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 their
                 Reason
                 and
                 Object
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 do
                 transcend
                 all
                 other
                 occasions
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 on
                 no
                 other
                 account
                 do
                 they
                 cause
                 such
                 severe
                 and
                 perplexing
                 reflections
                 on
                 the
                 soul
                 as
                 on
                 this
                 .
              
               
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   revived
                   sense
                   of
                   justly
                   deserved
                   wrath
                   ,
                
                 belongs
                 also
                 to
                 these
                 depths
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 
                   old
                   wounds
                
                 .
                 When
                 men
                 have
                 passed
                 through
                 a
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 obtained
                 deliverance
                 and
                 rest
                 through
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 their
                 
                   old
                   thoughts
                
                 again
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 trading
                 afresh
                 with
                 
                   Hell
                   ,
                   Curse
                   ,
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Wrath
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 depth
                 indeed
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 often
                 befalls
                 
                   gracious
                   souls
                
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 88.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Thy
                   wrath
                   lyeth
                   hard
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 Heman
                 .
                 It
                 pressed
                 and
                 crushed
                 him
                 sorely
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 self-judging
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 wrath
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 a
                 comforting
                 perswasion
                 of
                 an
                 Interest
                 in
                 Christ.
                 This
                 the
                 soul
                 finds
                 sweetness
                 in
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 lyes
                 in
                 a
                 subserviency
                 to
                 the
                 exaltation
                 of
                 Grace
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 
                   left
                   under
                   it
                
                 without
                 that
                 relief
                 .
                 It
                 plungeth
                 it self
                 into
                 the
                 
                   Curse
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 and
                 flames
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 cheering
                 supportment
                 from
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 is
                 walking
                 in
                 
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   the
                   shadow
                   of
                   death
                   .
                
                 The
                 
                   soul
                   converseth
                   with
                   death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 seems
                 to
                 lye
                 in
                 a
                 tendency
                 thereunto
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 also
                 to
                 increase
                 his
                 perplexities
                 ,
                 puts
                 
                   new
                   life
                
                 and
                 spirit
                 into
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 gives
                 it
                 a
                 fresh
                 Commission
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 
                   take
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   into
                   its
                   Custody
                
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Law
                 will
                 never
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 be
                 wanting
                 unto
                 its
                 Duty
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   Oppressing
                   Apprehensions
                   of
                   temporal
                   Judgements
                
                 ,
                 concurr
                 herein
                 also
                 ;
                 for
                 God
                 will
                 
                   Judge
                   his
                   People
                
                 .
                 And
                 Judgement
                 often
                 
                   begins
                   at
                   the
                   House
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Though
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   saith
                   such
                   a
                   one
                
                 ,
                 should
                 not
                 cast
                 me
                 off
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 should
                 
                   pardon
                   my
                   iniquities
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 may
                 so
                 take
                 
                   vengeance
                   of
                   my
                   inventions
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 me
                 feed
                 on
                 
                   gall
                   and
                   wormwood
                
                 all
                 my
                 dayes
                 Psal.
                 119.
                 120.
                 faith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   My
                   flesh
                   trembleth
                   for
                   fear
                   of
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   afraid
                   of
                   thy
                   Judgements
                   .
                
                 He
                 knows
                 not
                 what
                 the
                 
                   great
                   God
                
                 may
                 bring
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 full
                 of
                 
                   a
                   sense
                   of
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 this
                 whole
                 condition
                 ,
                 every
                 Judgement
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 
                   full
                   of
                   terror
                
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 thinks
                 ,
                 God
                 may
                 
                   lay
                   open
                   the
                   filth
                   of
                   his
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 and
                 make
                 him
                 a
                 scandal
                 and
                 a
                 reproach
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 Psal.
                 39.
                 8.
                 
                 Oh
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   make
                   me
                   not
                   a
                   reproach
                   to
                   the
                   foolish
                   .
                
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 trembles
                 lest
                 God
                 should
                 
                   strike
                   him
                   suddainly
                
                 with
                 some
                 
                   signal
                   Judgement
                
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 in
                 darkness
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ;
                 so
                 saith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   take
                   me
                   not
                   away
                   in
                   thy
                   wrath
                   .
                
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 fears
                 lest
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 
                 like
                 Jonah
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 a
                 storm
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 whereof
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Member
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 Nation
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   them
                   not
                   be
                   ashamed
                   for
                   my
                   sake
                   .
                
                 These
                 things
                 make
                 his
                 
                   heart
                   soft
                
                 as
                 Job
                 speaks
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 melt
                 within
                 him
                 .
                 When
                 any
                 Affl●ction
                 or
                 
                   publick
                   Judgement
                
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 fastned
                 to
                 a
                 quick
                 living
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 it
                 overwhelms
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 only
                 
                   justly
                   feared
                
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 actually
                 inflicted
                 ;
                 as
                 was
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 Joseph's
                 Brethren
                 in
                 Aegypt
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 is
                 then
                 rolled
                 from
                 one
                 deep
                 to
                 another
                 .
                 
                   Sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 casts
                 it
                 on
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 its
                 Affliction
                 ;
                 and
                 Affliction
                 turns
                 it
                 back
                 on
                 a
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 So
                 deep
                 calleth
                 unto
                 deep
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 
                   Gods
                   billows
                   go
                   over
                   the
                   soul.
                
                 And
                 they
                 do
                 each
                 of
                 them
                 make
                 the
                 soul
                 tender
                 ,
                 and
                 sharpen
                 its
                 sense
                 unto
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 Affliction
                 ●●●●ens
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 cuts
                 the
                 deeper
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 the
                 larger
                 wounds
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                   weakens
                
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 Affliction
                 sit
                 the
                 heavier
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 encreaseth
                 its
                 burden
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 that
                 Affliction
                 which
                 a
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 usual
                 state
                 of
                 spiritual
                 peace
                 ,
                 could
                 have
                 embraced
                 as
                 a
                 sweet
                 
                   pledge
                   of
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 
                   goads
                   and
                   thorns
                
                 in
                 his
                 side
                 ,
                 depriving
                 him
                 of
                 all
                 rest
                 and
                 quietness
                 ;
                 God
                 makes
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   thorns
                   and
                   briars
                
                 wherewith
                 he
                 will
                 teach
                 stubborn
                 souls
                 their
                 duty
                 ,
                 as
                 Gideon
                 did
                 the
                 Man
                 of
                 Succoth
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 There
                 may
                 be
                 added
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 
                   prevailing
                   fears
                   for
                   a
                   season
                   ,
                   of
                   being
                   utterly
                   rejected
                   by
                   God
                   ,
                   of
                   being
                   found
                   a
                   Reprobate
                   at
                   the
                   last
                   day
                   .
                   Jonah
                
                 seems
                 to
                 conclude
                 so
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   cast
                   out
                   of
                   thy
                   sight
                   .
                
                 I
                 am
                 lost
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 own
                 me
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 And
                 Heman
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 88.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   I
                   am
                   counted
                   with
                   them
                   that
                   go
                   down
                   into
                   the
                   pit
                   :
                   Free
                   among
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                   like
                   the
                   slain
                   that
                   lye
                   in
                   the
                   grave
                   ,
                   whom
                   thou
                   remembrest
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   cut
                   off
                   from
                   thy
                   hand
                   .
                
                 This
                 may
                 reach
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 until
                 the
                 
                   sorrows
                   of
                   Hell
                
                 encompass
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 hold
                 upon
                 it
                 ;
                 untill
                 it
                 be
                 deprived
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 rest
                 ,
                 untill
                 it
                 be
                 a
                 terror
                 to
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 
                   choose
                   strangling
                
                 rather
                 than
                 life
                 .
                 This
                 may
                 befall
                 a
                 
                   gracious
                   soul
                
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 because
                 this
                 fights
                 directly
                 against
                 the
                 
                   Life
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 be
                 in
                 extraordinary
                 cases
                 ,
                 suffer
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 to
                 
                   lye
                   long
                   in
                   this
                   horrible
                   pit
                   ,
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   water
                   ,
                
                 no
                 refreshment
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 often
                 falls
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 even
                 the
                 Saints
                 themselves
                 are
                 left
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 to
                 a
                 
                   fearful
                   expectation
                   of
                   judgement
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   fiery
                   indignation
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 prevailing
                 apprehension
                 of
                 their
                 minds
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   secretly
                   sends
                   his
                   Arrows
                   into
                   the
                   soul
                   that
                   wound
                   and
                   gall
                   it
                   ,
                   adding
                   pain
                   ,
                   trouble
                   ,
                   and
                   disquietness
                   to
                   its
                   disconsolation
                   .
                
                 Psalm
                 38.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Thine
                   arrows
                   stick
                   fast
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   hand
                   presseth
                   me
                   sore
                   .
                
                 Ever
                 and
                 anon
                 in
                 his
                 walking
                 ,
                 God
                 
                   shot
                   a
                   sharp
                   piercing
                   arrow
                
                 ,
                 fixing
                 it
                 on
                 his
                 soul
                 that
                 galled
                 ,
                 wounded
                 ,
                 and
                 perplexed
                 him
                 ,
                 filling
                 him
                 with
                 pain
                 and
                 grievous
                 vexation
                 .
                 These
                 arrows
                 are
                 Gods
                 rebukes
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 39.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   When
                   thou
                   with
                   rebukes
                   dost
                   correct
                   man
                   for
                   iniquity
                   .
                
                 God
                 speaks
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 in
                 the
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 things
                 sharp
                 and
                 bitter
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 fastning
                 them
                 so
                 as
                 it
                 cannot
                 shake
                 them
                 out
                 .
                 These
                 Job
                 so
                 mournfully
                 complains
                 of
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 6.
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 speaks
                 words
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 efficacy
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 
                   piecce
                   the
                   heart
                
                 quite
                 through
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 the
                 issue
                 then
                 is
                 ,
                 David
                 declares
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 38
                 3.
                 
                 
                   There
                   is
                   no
                   soundness
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   my
                   flesh
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   thine
                   anger
                   ,
                   nor
                   is
                   there
                   any
                   rest
                   in
                   my
                   bones
                   because
                   of
                   my
                   sin
                   .
                
                 The
                 whole
                 person
                 is
                 brought
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 health
                 and
                 rest
                 is
                 taken
                 away
                 ;
                 and
              
               
                 Seventhly
                 ,
                 
                   Unspiritedness
                   and
                   disability
                   unto
                   Duty
                   ,
                   in
                   doing
                   or
                   suffering
                   ,
                
                 attend
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 40.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Mine
                   iniquities
                   have
                   taken
                   hold
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   able
                   to
                   look
                   up
                   .
                
                 His
                 spiritual
                 strength
                 was
                 worn
                 away
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 
                   address
                   himself
                
                 unto
                 any
                 communion
                 with
                 God.
                 The
                 soul
                 now
                 cannot
                 pray
                 with
                 life
                 and
                 power
                 ;
                 cannot
                 hear
                 with
                 joy
                 and
                 profit
                 ;
                 cannot
                 
                   do
                   good
                
                 and
                 communicate
                 with
                 cheerfulness
                 and
                 freedom
                 ;
                 cannot
                 meditate
                 with
                 delight
                 and
                 heavenly
                 mindedness
                 ;
                 cannot
                 
                   act
                   for
                   God
                
                 with
                 zeal
                 and
                 liberty
                 ;
                 cannot
                 think
                 of
                 suffering
                 with
                 boldness
                 and
                 resolution
                 ;
                 but
                 is
                 sick
                 ,
                 weak
                 ,
                 feeble
                 and
                 bowed
                 down
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   gracious
                   soul
                   after
                   much
                   communion
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 may
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 be
                 brought
                 into
                 a
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 wherein
                 
                   some
                   ,
                   more
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   all
                   of
                   these
                
                 ,
                 with
                 other
                 the
                 like
                 perplexities
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 its
                 portion
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 make
                 up
                 the
                 Depths
                 whereof
                 the
                 Pfalmist
                 here
                 complains
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 
                   what
                   sorts
                
                 ,
                 that
                 ordinarily
                 cast
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 Believers
                 into
                 these
                 depths
                 shall
                 be
                 afterwards
                 declared
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 now
                 shew
                 both
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Believers
                 
                 may
                 fall
                 into
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 oftentimes
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   actually
                   do
                   so
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   
                   Whence
                   it
                   is
                   that
                   Believers
                   may
                   be
                   brought
                   into
                   depths
                   on
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   Nature
                   of
                   the
                   supplies
                   of
                   Grace
                   given
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   .
                   How
                   far
                   they
                   extend
                   .
                   Principles
                   of
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Nature
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                
                 wherein
                 all
                 Believers
                 now
                 walk
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 all
                 their
                 
                   whole
                   provision
                   for
                   obedience
                
                 is
                 enwrapped
                 ,
                 leaves
                 it
                 possible
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 fall
                 into
                 these
                 depths
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Under
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 mercy
                 or
                 forgiveness
                 provided
                 for
                 any
                 sin
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 necessary
                 then
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 exhibit
                 a
                 
                   sufficiency
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 to
                 preserve
                 from
                 
                   every
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 could
                 have
                 been
                 of
                 no
                 use
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Rigteousness
                 of
                 God
                 required
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 was
                 .
                 To
                 have
                 made
                 a
                 Covenant
                 wherein
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 provision
                 at
                 all
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 a
                 
                   sufficiency
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 Covenanters
                 from
                 
                   need
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 answerable
                 to
                 the
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 he
                 made
                 
                   man
                   upright
                
                 who
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 accord
                 
                   sought
                   out
                   many
                   inventions
                
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 it
                 pardon
                 provided
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 therefore
                 of
                 
                   indispensible
                   necessity
                
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 administred
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 Grace
                 
                   effectually
                   preserving
                   from
                   every
                   sin
                
                 :
                 Yet
                 is
                 it
                 on
                 all
                 accounts
                 to
                 be
                 preferred
                 before
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 For
                 besides
                 the
                 relief
                 
                   by
                   pardon
                
                 which
                 the
                 other
                 
                   knew
                   nothing
                
                 of
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 it
                 also
                 much
                 provision
                 against
                 sin
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 
                   provision
                   made
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   against
                   all
                   and
                   every
                   sin
                   that
                   would
                   disannull
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                
                 and
                 make
                 a
                 final
                 separation
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 a
                 soul
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 once
                 taken
                 into
                 the
                 bond
                 thereof
                 .
                 This
                 provision
                 is
                 absolute
                 ;
                 God
                 hath
                 taken
                 upon
                 himself
                 the
                 making
                 of
                 this
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 establishing
                 this
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 by
                 any
                 sin
                 be
                 disannulled
                 ,
                 Jor.
                 32.
                 40.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                
                 (
                 saith
                 God
                 )
                 
                   make
                   an
                   everlasting
                   Covenant
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   turn
                   away
                   from
                   them
                   to
                   do
                   them
                   good
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   will
                   put
                   my
                   fear
                   into
                   their
                   hearts
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   depart
                   from
                   me
                   .
                
                 The
                 security
                 hereof
                 depends
                 not
                 
                   on
                   any
                   thing
                
                 in
                 our
                 
                 selves
                 .
                 All
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 us
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 used
                 as
                 
                   a
                   means
                
                 of
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 this
                 Promise
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 event
                 or
                 issue
                 depends
                 absolutely
                 on
                 the
                 faithfulness
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 the
                 whole
                 certainty
                 and
                 stability
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 depends
                 on
                 the
                 
                   efficacy
                   of
                   the
                   Grace
                
                 administred
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 preserve
                 men
                 from
                 all
                 such
                 sins
                 as
                 would
                 disanull
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 Covenant
                 
                   provision
                   made
                   for
                   constant
                   peace
                   and
                   consolation
                   ,
                   notwithstanding
                   ,
                   and
                   against
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   such
                   sins
                   ,
                   as
                   through
                   their
                   infirmities
                   and
                   temptations
                   believers
                   are
                   daily
                   exposed
                   unto
                   .
                
                 Though
                 they
                 fall
                 into
                 sins
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 
                   fall
                   into
                   depths
                
                 every
                 day
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 tenour
                 of
                 this
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 consistency
                 between
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 unto
                 humiliation
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
                 with
                 strong
                 consolation
                 .
                 After
                 the
                 Apostle
                 had
                 described
                 the
                 whole
                 conflict
                 that
                 Believers
                 have
                 with
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   frequent
                   wounds
                
                 which
                 they
                 receive
                 thereby
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 them
                 cry
                 out
                 for
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 24.
                 
                 He
                 yet
                 concludes
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 8.
                 1.
                 that
                 there
                 
                   is
                   no
                   condemnation
                   unto
                   them
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 sufficient
                 and
                 stable
                 foundation
                 of
                 Peace
                 .
                 So
                 1
                 John
                 2.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   These
                   things
                   have
                   I
                   written
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   sin
                   not
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   any
                   man
                   sin
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   the
                   Righteous
                   .
                
                 Our
                 great
                 business
                 and
                 care
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   we
                   sin
                   not
                
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 our
                 utmost
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   we
                   say
                   we
                   have
                   no
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   deceive
                   our selves
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 shall
                 
                   poor
                   ,
                   sinful
                   ,
                   guilty
                   creatures
                
                 do
                 ?
                 why
                 let
                 them
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 of
                 pardon
                 and
                 peace
                 .
                 And
                 saith
                 Paul
                 ,
                 Heb
                 6.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   abundantly
                   willing
                   that
                   we
                   might
                   have
                   strong
                   consolation
                   who
                   fly
                   for
                   resuge
                   to
                   lay
                   hold
                   on
                   the
                   hope
                   set
                   before
                   us
                   .
                
                 What
                 was
                 his
                 condition
                 who
                 
                   fled
                   of
                   old
                
                 to
                 the
                 City
                 of
                 refuge
                 for
                 safety
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 this
                 expression
                 is
                 taken
                 ?
                 He
                 was
                 
                   guilty
                   of
                   blood
                
                 ,
                 though
                 shed
                 at
                 unawares
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 dye
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 escaped
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 
                   City
                   of
                   Refuge
                
                 .
                 Though
                 we
                 may
                 have
                 the
                 
                   guilt
                   of
                   sins
                
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Law
                 pronounceth
                 death
                 unto
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                   flying
                   to
                   Christ
                   for
                   refuge
                
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 provided
                 not
                 only
                 safety
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   strong
                   consolation
                
                 for
                 us
                 also
                 .
                 Forgiveness
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 take
                 guilt
                 from
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 trouble
                 also
                 from
                 the
                 conscience
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 doth
                 the
                 Apostle
                 at
                 large
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 Excellency
                 of
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 
                 The
                 Sacrifices
                 of
                 the
                 Old
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 make
                 
                   perfect
                   the
                   worshippers
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 1.
                 which
                 he
                 proves
                 ,
                 v.
                 2.
                 because
                 they
                 did
                 never
                 take
                 away
                 ,
                 throughly
                 and
                 really
                 ,
                 
                   Conscience
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   depths
                   or
                   distresses
                   of
                   conscience
                
                 about
                 sin
                 ;
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 hath
                 for
                 
                   ever
                   perfected
                   them
                   that
                   were
                   sanctified
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 14.
                 providing
                 for
                 them
                 such
                 stable
                 peace
                 and
                 consolation
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 the
                 
                   renewing
                   of
                   Sacrifices
                
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 v.
                 18.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 that
                 those
                 who
                 sin
                 
                   every
                   day
                
                 ,
                 should
                 have
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 
                   all
                   their
                   dayes
                
                 .
                 Provided
                 their
                 sins
                 fall
                 within
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 those
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 against
                 which
                 this
                 consolation
                 is
                 provided
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 
                   provision
                   made
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   to
                   prevent
                   and
                   preserve
                   the
                   soul
                   from
                   great
                   and
                   enormous
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 such
                 as
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 ,
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 wound
                 conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 the
                 person
                 into
                 such
                 depths
                 and
                 intanglements
                 as
                 wherein
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 neither
                 rest
                 nor
                 peace
                 .
                 Of
                 what
                 
                   sort
                   these
                   sins
                
                 are
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 afterwards
                 declared
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 Covenant
                 
                   Grace
                   for
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 1.
                 16.
                 and
                 abundance
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 administred
                 from
                 the
                 All-fulness
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Grace
                 reigneth
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 6.
                 destroying
                 and
                 crucifying
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 this
                 Provision
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 against
                 
                   peace-ruining
                   ,
                   soul-perplexing
                
                 sins
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 administration
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 absolute
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 
                   Covenant
                   Commands
                
                 and
                 Exhortations
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 attendance
                 whereunto
                 ,
                 the
                 administration
                 of
                 much
                 Covenant-Grace
                 doth
                 depend
                 .
                 To
                 watch
                 ,
                 pray
                 ,
                 improve
                 faith
                 ,
                 to
                 stand
                 on
                 our
                 guard
                 continually
                 ,
                 to
                 mortifie
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 fight
                 against
                 temptations
                 ,
                 with
                 stedfastness
                 ,
                 diligence
                 ,
                 constancy
                 ,
                 are
                 every
                 where
                 prescribed
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 order
                 unto
                 the
                 ensurance
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 mentioned
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   condition
                   of
                   the
                   Administration
                
                 of
                 that
                 abundant
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 preserve
                 us
                 from
                 soul-entangling
                 sins
                 ,
                 So
                 Peter
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 2
                 Ep.
                 1.
                 v.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   The
                   divine
                   power
                   of
                   God
                   hath
                   given
                   unto
                   us
                   all
                   things
                   that
                   pertain
                   unto
                   life
                   and
                   godliness
                   .
                
                 We
                 have
                 from
                 it
                 an
                 
                   habitual
                   furnishment
                
                 and
                 provision
                 for
                 obedience
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 .
                 Also
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 v.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   He
                   bath
                   given
                   unto
                   us
                   great
                   and
                   pretious
                   promises
                   ,
                   that
                   by
                   them
                   we
                   might
                   be
                   partakers
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   Nature
                
                 ;
                 What
                 then
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 blessed
                 estate
                 and
                 condition
                 
                   required
                   of
                   us
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 a
                 due
                 improvement
                 of
                 the
                 provision
                 made
                 
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoy
                 the
                 comforting
                 influence
                 of
                 those
                 Promises
                 ?
                 that
                 he
                 prescribes
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 v.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Giving
                   all
                   diligence
                   ,
                   add
                   to
                   your
                   faith
                   vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   vertue
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   knowledge
                   temperance
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   temperance
                   patience
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   patience
                   godliness
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   godliness
                   brotherly
                   kindness
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   brotherly
                   kindness
                   charity
                
                 ;
                 That
                 is
                 carefully
                 and
                 diligently
                 attend
                 to
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Graces
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 a
                 conversation
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 becoming
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 issue
                 ,
                 if
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 attended
                 unto
                 ?
                 v.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   If
                   these
                   things
                   be
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   abound
                   ,
                   ye
                   shall
                   be
                   neither
                   barren
                   nor
                   unfruitful
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 that
                 these
                 things
                 be
                 
                   in
                   you
                
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 seed
                 and
                 root
                 of
                 them
                 from
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 but
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 that
                 they
                 flourish
                 and
                 abound
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 
                   root
                   of
                   the
                   matter
                   may
                   be
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 you
                 be
                 not
                 wholly
                 devoid
                 of
                 spiritual
                 life
                 ,
                 yet
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 poor
                 ,
                 barren
                 ,
                 sapless
                 ,
                 withering
                 creatures
                 ,
                 all
                 your
                 days
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 suppose
                 that
                 these
                 things
                 
                   do
                   abound
                
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 be
                 made
                 fruitful
                 thereby
                 :
                 Why
                 then
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 v.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   If
                   you
                   do
                   these
                   things
                   ye
                   shall
                   never
                   fall
                
                 :
                 What
                 never
                 
                   fall
                   into
                   sin
                
                 ?
                 Nay
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 sayes
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 all
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   no
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 Lyar.
                 Or
                 is
                 it
                 never
                 
                   fall
                   totally
                   from
                   God
                
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 the
                 preservation
                 of
                 the
                 Elect
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   total
                   Apostasie
                
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 suspended
                 on
                 such
                 conditions
                 ,
                 especially
                 not
                 on
                 any
                 degree
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 their
                 abounding
                 imports
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 they
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   fall
                
                 into
                 
                   their
                   old
                   sins
                   from
                   which
                   they
                   were
                   purged
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 9.
                 
                 Such
                 Conscience
                 wasting
                 ,
                 and
                 defiling
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 lived
                 in
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 and
                 state
                 of
                 their
                 Unregeneracy
                 .
                 Thus
                 though
                 there
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 through
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 Provision
                 made
                 of
                 abundant
                 supplies
                 for
                 the
                 souls
                 preservation
                 from
                 entangling
                 sins
                 ;
                 yet
                 their
                 Administration
                 hath
                 respect
                 unto
                 our
                 
                   diligent
                   attendance
                
                 unto
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 receiving
                 them
                 appointed
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 here
                 lyes
                 the
                 latitude
                 of
                 the
                 New
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 here
                 lyes
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 renewed
                 Free-will
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 field
                 of
                 free
                 voluntary
                 obedience
                 under
                 the
                 Administration
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Grace
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 extreams
                 which
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 event
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 concerned
                 in
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 
                   wholly
                   perfect
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 all
                 
                 failings
                 ,
                 all
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 provided
                 for
                 ,
                 not
                 promised
                 in
                 this
                 Covenant
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 Covenant
                 of
                 
                   mercy
                   and
                   pardon
                
                 ,
                 which
                 supposeth
                 a
                 continuance
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 To
                 fall
                 utterly
                 and
                 finally
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 absolutely
                 provided
                 against
                 .
                 Between
                 these
                 two
                 extreams
                 of
                 
                   absolute
                   perfection
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   total
                   Apostasie
                
                 ,
                 lyes
                 the
                 large
                 Field
                 of
                 Believers
                 obedience
                 and
                 walking
                 with
                 God.
                 Many
                 a
                 sweet
                 heavenly
                 passage
                 there
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 a
                 dangerous
                 depth
                 in
                 this
                 field
                 .
                 Some
                 walk
                 near
                 to
                 the
                 one
                 side
                 ,
                 some
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 person
                 may
                 sometimes
                 press
                 hard
                 after
                 Perfection
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 be
                 cast
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 border
                 of
                 destruction
                 .
                 Now
                 between
                 these
                 two
                 ,
                 lye
                 many
                 a
                 
                   soul-plunging
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 against
                 which
                 no
                 absolute
                 provision
                 is
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 giving
                 
                   all
                   diligence
                
                 to
                 put
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 preservation
                 in
                 practice
                 ,
                 Believers
                 are
                 oftentimes
                 overtaken
                 withal
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Provision
                 made
                 of
                 
                   ordinary
                   and
                   abiding
                   consolation
                
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 or
                 sins
                 greatly
                 aggravated
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 fall
                 into
                 by
                 a
                 neglect
                 of
                 using
                 and
                 abiding
                 in
                 the
                 forementioned
                 conditions
                 of
                 
                   abounding
                   actual
                
                 Grace
                 .
                 Sins
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 which
                 either
                 because
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 they
                 wound
                 and
                 waste
                 conscience
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 their
                 effects
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 scandal
                 ,
                 causing
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 be
                 evil
                 spoken
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 some
                 of
                 their
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 unkindness
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 do
                 deprive
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 its
                 wonted
                 consolation
                 .
                 How
                 ,
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 ,
                 on
                 what
                 account
                 such
                 sins
                 come
                 to
                 
                   terrifie
                   conscience
                
                 ,
                 to
                 break
                 the
                 bones
                 ,
                 to
                 darken
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cast
                 it
                 into
                 
                   inextricable
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 relief
                 that
                 is
                 provided
                 of
                 pardon
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 now
                 declare
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 Consolation
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 equal
                 extent
                 with
                 safety
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 .
                 Hence
                 God
                 assumes
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 as
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 meer
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   speak
                   peace
                
                 and
                 refreshment
                 unto
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 his
                 Saints
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 of
                 sin
                 entanglements
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 57.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 indeed
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 not
                 thus
                 provided
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   great
                   provocations
                
                 ,
                 should
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 
                   special
                   reliefs
                
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 justly
                 be
                 feared
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 negligence
                 of
                 Believers
                 ,
                 might
                 possibly
                 bring
                 forth
                 much
                 bitter
                 fruit
                 .
              
               
                 Only
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 observed
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 is
                 spoken
                 relates
                 to
                 the
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sinners
                
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 consolation
                 provided
                 against
                 the
                 greatest
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 least
                 sins
                 .
                 The
                 difference
                 ariseth
                 from
                 Gods
                 Soveraign
                 communication
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Covenants
                 Administration
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 laid
                 down
                 .
                 Hence
                 because
                 under
                 Moses's
                 Law
                 there
                 was
                 an
                 exception
                 made
                 of
                 some
                 sins
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 Sacrifice
                 appointed
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 those
                 who
                 were
                 guilty
                 of
                 them
                 could
                 no
                 way
                 be
                 justified
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 carnally
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 Judaical
                 Church
                 and
                 Polity
                 ;
                 Paul
                 tells
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Acts
                 13.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
                 
                   That
                   through
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   was
                   preached
                   unto
                   them
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   by
                   him
                   all
                   that
                   believe
                   are
                   justified
                   from
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   from
                   which
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 now
                 no
                 exception
                 of
                 
                   any
                   particular
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 peace
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 spoken
                 relates
                 unto
                 the
                 manner
                 and
                 way
                 ,
                 wherein
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 administer
                 consolation
                 to
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 sinning
                 Believers
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Evidence
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 offer
                 to
                 prove
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   souls
                   of
                   Believers
                   ,
                   after
                   much
                   Gracious
                   Communion
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   may
                   yet
                   fall
                   into
                   inextricable
                   depths
                   on
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 actually
                 they
                 oftentimes
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 farther
                 declared
                 .
              
               
                 
                 The
                 Principles
                 of
                 this
                 Assertion
                 ,
                 are
                 known
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 only
                 touch
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   Indwelling-sin
                
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 remains
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 little
                 considered
                 ,
                 will
                 evidence
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 sometimes
                 surprized
                 ,
                 and
                 plunged
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 mentioned
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Though
                 the
                 
                   strength
                   of
                   every
                   sin
                
                 be
                 weakned
                 by
                 Grace
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 
                   root
                   of
                   no
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 wholly
                 taken
                 away
                 .
                 Lust
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 stubborn
                 Canaanites
                 ,
                 who
                 after
                 the
                 general
                 conquest
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 
                   would
                   yet
                   dwell
                   in
                   it
                
                 still
                 ,
                 Judg.
                 17.
                 12.
                 
                 Indeed
                 when
                 
                   Israel
                   grew
                   strong
                
                 they
                 brought
                 them
                 under
                 tribute
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 utterly
                 expell
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 and
                 Rule
                 belongs
                 to
                 Grace
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 grows
                 strong
                 it
                 brings
                 sin
                 much
                 under
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 wholly
                 be
                 driven
                 out
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Body
                   of
                   Death
                
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 utterly
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Death
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 
                   flesh
                   of
                   the
                   best
                   Saints
                   there
                   dwelleth
                   no
                
                 
                 
                   good
                   thing
                   ,
                   Rom.
                
                 7.
                 8.
                 but
                 the
                 contrary
                 is
                 there
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 all
                 evil
                 .
                 The
                 
                   flesh
                   lusteth
                   against
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Spirit
                 lusteth
                 against
                 the
                 
                   flesh
                   .
                   Gal.
                
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                 As
                 then
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 Universality
                 in
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 in
                 its
                 opposing
                 all
                 evil
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 Universality
                 in
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 for
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Some
                 Lusts
                 or
                 branches
                 of
                 original
                 corruption
                 ,
                 do
                 obtain
                 in
                 some
                 persons
                 such
                 advantages
                 ,
                 either
                 from
                 Nature
                 ,
                 Custom
                 ,
                 Employment
                 ,
                 Society
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 become
                 like
                 the
                 
                   Canaanites
                   that
                   had
                   iron
                   Chariots
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 difficult
                 thing
                 to
                 subdue
                 them
                 .
                 Well
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 War
                 be
                 maintained
                 constantly
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 will
                 almost
                 alwayes
                 be
                 in
                 actual
                 Rebellion
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Indwelling-Sin
                 though
                 weakned
                 ,
                 retaineth
                 all
                 its
                 properties
                 ;
                 the
                 properties
                 of
                 a
                 thing
                 follow
                 its
                 nature
                 .
                 Where
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 all
                 its
                 
                   natural
                   properties
                
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 these
                 properties
                 of
                 
                   Indwelling
                   Sin
                
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 here
                 declare
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 handled
                 the
                 whole
                 
                   power
                   and
                   efficacy
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   and
                   properties
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Treatise
                 to
                 that
                 only
                 purpose
                 .
                 In
                 brief
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 wonder
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   some
                   Believers
                
                 are
                 by
                 them
                 cast
                 into
                 depths
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 indeed
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 do
                 escape
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 hereof
                 the
                 Reader
                 may
                 see
                 at
                 large
                 my
                 Discourse
                 on
                 this
                 particular
                 subject
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Add
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   power
                   and
                   prevalency
                   of
                   temptation
                
                 ;
                 which
                 because
                 also
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 already
                 in
                 a
                 
                   special
                   Discourse
                
                 to
                 that
                 purpose
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 here
                 farther
                 lay
                 open
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Soveraign
                   pleasure
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 dealing
                 with
                 
                   sinning
                   Saints
                
                 must
                 also
                 be
                 considered
                 .
                 Divine
                 Love
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 work
                 not
                 towards
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 manner
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 continue
                 Peace
                 unto
                 some
                 with
                 a
                 non-obstante
                 ,
                 for
                 great
                 provocations
                 .
                 Love
                 shall
                 humble
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 rebukes
                 of
                 kindness
                 shall
                 recover
                 them
                 from
                 their
                 wandrings
                 .
                 Others
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 bring
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 speaking
                 of
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 I
                 may
                 say
                 generally
                 signal
                 provocations
                 ,
                 meet
                 with
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 events
                 from
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Those
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 are
                 left
                 unto
                 some
                 
                   signal
                   barrenness
                
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 fruitlesness
                 in
                 their
                 Generations
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 wither
                 ,
                 grow
                 barren
                 ,
                 worldly
                 ,
                 sapless
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 much
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God.
                 Or
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 They
                 shall
                 be
                 exercised
                 in
                 these
                 depths
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 their
                 way
                 of
                 deliverance
                 is
                 laid
                 down
                 in
                 this
                 Psalm
                 .
                 Thus
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 God
                 deals
                 with
                 his
                 Saints
                 in
                 great
                 variety
                 :
                 Some
                 shall
                 have
                 
                   all
                   their
                   bones
                   broken
                
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 shall
                 have
                 only
                 the
                 gentle
                 strokes
                 of
                 the
                 rod.
                 We
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 
                   hand
                   of
                   Mercy
                
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 may
                 deal
                 with
                 us
                 as
                 seems
                 good
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 for
                 our
                 parts
                 ,
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 attended
                 with
                 expectations
                 of
                 
                   great
                   depths
                
                 and
                 preplexities
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   proposed
                   in
                   this
                   Psalm
                
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 unto
                 consideration
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 depths
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 entangled
                 ;
                 these
                 the
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 whereby
                 it
                 is
                 brought
                 into
                 these
                 depths
                 .
                 It
                 s
                 deportment
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 this
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 lyes
                 next
                 in
                 our
                 way
                 .
                 But
                 before
                 I
                 proceed
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 annex
                 some
                 few
                 things
                 ,
                 unto
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 delivered
                 ,
                 tending
                 to
                 the
                 farther
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   Case
                
                 before
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 are
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 What
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 
                   what
                   sort
                
                 those
                 sins
                 are
                 which
                 usually
                 cast
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 Believers
                 into
                 these
                 depths
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Insist
                 on
                 some
                 Aggravations
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   
                   What
                   sins
                   usually
                   bring
                   Believers
                   into
                   great
                   spiritual
                   distresses
                   .
                   Aggravations
                   of
                   those
                   sins
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Sins
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 
                   wasting
                   Conscience
                
                 are
                 of
                 this
                 sort
                 .
                 Sins
                 that
                 rise
                 in
                 opposition
                 unto
                 
                   all
                   of
                   God
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Nature
                 also
                 .
                 Such
                 are
                 the
                 sins
                 that
                 cast
                 David
                 into
                 his
                 depths
                 .
                 Such
                 are
                 the
                 sins
                 enumerated
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   not
                   deceived
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   neither
                   Fornicators
                   ;
                   nor
                   Idolaters
                   ,
                   nor
                   Adulterers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Effeminate
                   ,
                   nor
                   abusers
                   of
                   themselves
                   with
                   Mankind
                   .
                   Nor
                   Thieves
                   ,
                   nor
                   Covetous
                   ,
                   nor
                   Drunkards
                   ,
                   nor
                   Revilers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Extortioners
                   ,
                   shall
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Certain
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Believers
                 may
                 fall
                 into
                 
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   sins
                
                 here
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Some
                 
                   have
                   done
                   so
                
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 left
                 on
                 record
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 says
                 not
                 ,
                 those
                 who
                 
                   have
                   committed
                   any
                   of
                   these
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 but
                 
                   such
                   sinners
                
                 shall
                 not
                 inherit
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 who
                 live
                 in
                 these
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 like
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 provision
                 of
                 mercy
                 made
                 for
                 
                   such
                   sinners
                
                 .
                 These
                 and
                 the
                 
                 like
                 are
                 sins
                 which
                 in
                 their
                 
                   own
                   nature
                
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 
                   aggravating
                   circumstances
                
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 yet
                 indeed
                 really
                 ,
                 in
                 Believers
                 they
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 without
                 )
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 plunge
                 a
                 soul
                 into
                 depths
                 .
                 These
                 sins
                 
                   cut
                   the
                   locks
                
                 of
                 mens
                 spiritual
                 strength
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 go
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 as
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 .
                 Bones
                 are
                 not
                 broken
                 without
                 pain
                 ;
                 nor
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 brought
                 on
                 the
                 Conscience
                 without
                 trouble
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 insist
                 on
                 these
                 .
                 
                   Some
                   say
                
                 that
                 they
                 deprive
                 even
                 true
                 Believers
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 unduly
                 ;
                 all
                 grant
                 that
                 they
                 bereave
                 them
                 of
                 all
                 
                   comforting
                   evidence
                
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 grounded
                 Assurance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 they
                 did
                 David
                 and
                 Peter
                 ,
                 and
                 herein
                 lyes
                 no
                 small
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 depths
                 we
                 are
                 searching
                 into
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 are
                 sins
                 which
                 though
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 rise
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 conscience
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 
                   bloody
                   guilt
                
                 ,
                 as
                 those
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 yet
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 some
                 circumstances
                 and
                 aggravations
                 ,
                 God
                 takes
                 them
                 so
                 unkindly
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 a
                 root
                 of
                 disquietness
                 and
                 trouble
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 all
                 its
                 dayes
                 .
                 He
                 sayes
                 of
                 some
                 sins
                 of
                 ungodly
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   I
                   live
                   this
                   iniquity
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   purged
                   from
                   you
                   until
                   ye
                   dye
                   ?
                
                 If
                 you
                 are
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 height
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 escape
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 spare
                 you
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 Provocations
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 People
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 circumstantiated
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 them
                 pass
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 have
                 cast
                 them
                 into
                 depths
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 them
                 cry
                 out
                 for
                 deliverance
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 consider
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   Miscarriages
                   under
                   signal
                   Enjoyments
                   of
                   love
                   and
                   kindness
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                
                 are
                 of
                 this
                 sort
                 .
                 When
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 unto
                 any
                 one
                 
                   expressive
                   manifestations
                
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 convinced
                 him
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 made
                 him
                 say
                 in
                 the
                 inmost
                 parts
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   is
                   undeserved
                   love
                   and
                   kindess
                   ,
                
                 then
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 
                   negligent
                   in
                   his
                   walking
                
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 carrieth
                 an
                 unkindness
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 forgotten
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 remark
                 upon
                 the
                 miscarriages
                 of
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 fell
                 into
                 them
                 after
                 
                   God
                   had
                   appeared
                   unto
                   him
                   twice
                   .
                
                 And
                 all
                 sins
                 under
                 or
                 after
                 
                   especial
                   mercies
                
                 ,
                 will
                 meet
                 at
                 one
                 time
                 or
                 other
                 
                   especial
                   rebukes
                
                 .
                 Nothing
                 doth
                 more
                 distress
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 remembrance
                 in
                 darkness
                 of
                 abused
                 light
                 ;
                 in
                 desertions
                 of
                 neglected
                 love
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 sensible
                 of
                 .
                 
                   Though
                   I
                   have
                   redeemed
                   them
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   yet
                   they
                   have
                   spoken
                   lyes
                   against
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Hos.
                 7.
                 15.
                 
                 So
                 Chap.
                 13.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 When
                 God
                 hath
                 in
                 his
                 Providence
                 dealt
                 graciously
                 with
                 a
                 Person
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 delivered
                 him
                 from
                 
                   straights
                   and
                   troubles
                
                 ,
                 set
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 large
                 place
                 ,
                 prevented
                 him
                 with
                 many
                 fruits
                 and
                 effects
                 of
                 his
                 goodness
                 ,
                 blessed
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Person
                 ,
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 Employments
                 ,
                 dealt
                 well
                 with
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 in
                 giving
                 him
                 a
                 gracious
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 to
                 fall
                 under
                 
                   sinful
                   miscarriages
                
                 ,
                 it
                 goes
                 to
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 passed
                 over
                 .
                 
                   Undervaluations
                   of
                   Love
                   are
                   great
                   provocations
                   .
                
                 Hath
                 Nabal
                 thus
                 requited
                 my
                 kindness
                 saith
                 David
                 ?
                 I
                 cannot
                 bear
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 clearer
                 the
                 convictions
                 of
                 any
                 in
                 this
                 kind
                 were
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 severe
                 will
                 their
                 reflections
                 be
                 upon
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Sins
                   under
                   ,
                   or
                   after
                   great
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   are
                   of
                   this
                   importance
                   also
                   .
                
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 afflict
                 willingly
                 ,
                 or
                 chasten
                 us
                 meerly
                 for
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 He
                 doth
                 it
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 
                   partakers
                   of
                   his
                   Holiness
                
                 .
                 To
                 take
                 so
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 his
                 hand
                 herein
                 ,
                 as
                 under
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 watch
                 against
                 the
                 workings
                 and
                 surprizals
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 unkindness
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   smote
                   him
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   he
                   went
                   on
                   frowardly
                   in
                   the
                   wayes
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   heart
                   .
                
                 These
                 provocations
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Sons
                   and
                   Daughters
                
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 bear
                 with
                 .
                 Hath
                 God
                 brought
                 thee
                 into
                 the
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 melted
                 under
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 pity
                 and
                 compassion
                 hath
                 given
                 thee
                 enlargement
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 hast
                 
                   soon
                   forgotten
                
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 any
                 wonder
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 mind
                 thee
                 again
                 ,
                 by
                 troubles
                 in
                 thy
                 soul
                 ?
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   Breaking
                   off
                   from
                   under
                   strong
                   convictions
                   ,
                   and
                   dawnings
                   of
                   Love
                   before
                   Conversion
                   ,
                
                 are
                 oftentimes
                 remembred
                 upon
                 the
                 conscience
                 afterwards
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Lord
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 shall
                 mightily
                 
                   convince
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 withal
                 some
                 discoveries
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 Christ
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 begins
                 to
                 yield
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 overpowred
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   almost
                   perswaded
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Christian
                
                 ;
                 if
                 then
                 through
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 lust
                 ,
                 or
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 it
                 goes
                 back
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   self
                   righteousness
                
                 ;
                 its
                 folly
                 hath
                 unkindness
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 sometimes
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 passed
                 by
                 .
                 God
                 can
                 ,
                 and
                 often
                 doth
                 put
                 forth
                 the
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   his
                   power
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 he
                 will
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 about
                 this
                 contempt
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Excellency
                 
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 dawnings
                 of
                 them
                 revealed
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   Suddain
                   forgetfulness
                   of
                   endearing
                   manifestations
                   of
                   special
                   Love.
                
                 This
                 God
                 cautions
                 his
                 people
                 against
                 ;
                 as
                 knowing
                 their
                 proneness
                 thereunto
                 .
                 Psal.
                 85.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   God
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   will
                   speak
                   peace
                   to
                   his
                   People
                   and
                   his
                   Saints
                   ;
                   but
                   let
                   them
                   not
                   turn
                   again
                   to
                   solly
                   .
                
                 Let
                 them
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 their
                 aptness
                 to
                 
                   forget
                   endearing
                   manifestations
                   of
                   special
                   Love.
                
                 When
                 God
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 draws
                 nigh
                 to
                 a
                 soul
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 with
                 gracious
                 words
                 of
                 peace
                 and
                 love
                 ,
                 giving
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 kindness
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 
                   joy
                   unspeakable
                   and
                   glorious
                
                 thereon
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 soul
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 temptation
                 ,
                 a
                 diversion
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 meer
                 carelesness
                 and
                 neglect
                 ,
                 which
                 oftentimes
                 falls
                 out
                 ,
                 to
                 suffer
                 
                   this
                   sense
                   of
                   Love
                
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 obliterated
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 lose
                 that
                 influencing
                 efficacy
                 unto
                 obedience
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 accompanied
                 withal
                 ,
                 this
                 also
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 unkindness
                 .
                 An
                 account
                 hereof
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 Cant.
                 5.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 Verse
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                
                 draws
                 nigh
                 with
                 full
                 provision
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Mercies
                 for
                 his
                 Beloved
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   am
                   come
                   unto
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   my
                   Sister
                
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 brought
                 myrrh
                 and
                 
                   spice
                   ,
                   honey
                
                 and
                 Wine
                 with
                 me
                 :
                 What
                 ever
                 is
                 spiritually
                 sweet
                 and
                 delightful
                 ;
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Peace
                 ,
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 Joy
                 ,
                 Assurance
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 here
                 in
                 a
                 readiness
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 v.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Spouse
                 in
                 her
                 
                   drowsie
                   indisposition
                
                 takes
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 this
                 gracious
                 visit
                 ;
                 she
                 is
                 diverted
                 by
                 other
                 matters
                 ,
                 and
                 knows
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 attend
                 fully
                 and
                 wholly
                 to
                 the
                 blessed
                 Communion
                 offered
                 unto
                 her
                 ;
                 but
                 excuseth
                 her self
                 as
                 otherwise
                 engaged
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 ?
                 Christ
                 withdraws
                 ,
                 leaves
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 many
                 disconsolations
                 ,
                 and
                 long
                 it
                 is
                 before
                 she
                 obtain
                 any
                 recovery
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 
                   Great
                   opportunities
                   for
                   service
                   neglected
                   ,
                   and
                   great
                   gifts
                   not
                   improved
                   ,
                
                 are
                 oftentimes
                 the
                 occasion
                 of
                 plunging
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 great
                 depths
                 .
                 Gifts
                 are
                 given
                 to
                 trade
                 withal
                 for
                 God.
                 Opportunities
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 market
                 dayes
                 for
                 that
                 trade
                 .
                 To
                 napkin
                 up
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 let
                 slip
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 will
                 end
                 in
                 trouble
                 and
                 disconsolation
                 .
                 Disquietments
                 and
                 perplexities
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 are
                 worms
                 that
                 will
                 certainly
                 breed
                 in
                 the
                 rust
                 of
                 unexercised
                 Gifts
                 .
                 God
                 looseth
                 a
                 revenue
                 of
                 glory
                 and
                 honour
                 by
                 such
                 slothful
                 souls
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 sensible
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 
                 some
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 whom
                 
                   omissions
                   of
                   opportunities
                
                 for
                 service
                 ,
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 sink
                 into
                 the
                 grave
                 .
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   Sins
                   after
                   especial
                   warnings
                
                 ,
                 are
                 usually
                 thus
                 issued
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 that
                 variety
                 of
                 
                   special
                   warnings
                
                 which
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 use
                 towards
                 
                   sinning
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 single
                 out
                 one
                 only
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 soul
                 is
                 wrastling
                 with
                 some
                 Lust
                 or
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 Providence
                 causeth
                 some
                 
                   special
                   word
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Administration
                 of
                 some
                 Ordinance
                 thereof
                 ,
                 peculiarly
                 suited
                 to
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 rebuke
                 ,
                 or
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 nigh
                 and
                 enter
                 the
                 inmost
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 cannot
                 but
                 take
                 notice
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 nigh
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 caling
                 on
                 him
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 assistance
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 seldom
                 gives
                 such
                 warnings
                 to
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   nigh
                   them
                
                 in
                 an
                 eminent
                 manner
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 relief
                 and
                 help
                 ,
                 if
                 in
                 answer
                 unto
                 his
                 call
                 ,
                 they
                 apply
                 themselves
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 his
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 kindness
                 herein
                 be
                 neglected
                 ,
                 his
                 following
                 reproofs
                 are
                 usually
                 more
                 severe
                 .
              
               
                 Seventhly
                 ,
                 
                   Sins
                   that
                   bring
                   scandal
                
                 ,
                 seldom
                 suffer
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 escape
                 depths
                 .
                 Even
                 in
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 God
                 in
                 chastening
                 takes
                 more
                 notice
                 oft-times
                 of
                 the
                 scandal
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 sin
                 :
                 as
                 2
                 Sam.
                 12.
                 14.
                 
                 Many
                 professors
                 take
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 their
                 worldliness
                 ,
                 their
                 pride
                 ,
                 their
                 passion
                 ,
                 their
                 lavish
                 tongues
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 
                   world
                   doth
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 disadvantaged
                 by
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 wonder
                 if
                 themselves
                 find
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 the
                 bitter
                 fruits
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 issue
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 many
                 other
                 such
                 Aggravations
                 of
                 sins
                 there
                 are
                 which
                 heighten
                 provocations
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 so
                 dreadful
                 an
                 aspect
                 as
                 some
                 others
                 ,
                 into
                 a
                 guilt
                 plunging
                 a
                 soul
                 into
                 depths
                 .
                 Those
                 which
                 have
                 been
                 named
                 may
                 suffice
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 instance
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 forbear
                 enlargements
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 several
                 heads
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 some
                 Aggravations
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 these
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 bring
                 the
                 soul
                 usually
                 into
                 the
                 condition
                 before
                 laid
                 down
                 ,
                 shall
                 close
                 this
                 discourse
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 soul
                 is
                 
                   furnished
                   with
                   a
                   Principle
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   continually
                   operative
                   and
                   working
                   for
                   its
                   preservation
                   from
                   such
                   sins
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 The
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 is
                 living
                 ,
                 and
                 active
                 for
                 its
                 own
                 growth
                 ,
                 increase
                 and
                 security
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                   it
                   lusteth
                   against
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 naturally
                 active
                 for
                 its
                 own
                 preservation
                 and
                 increase
                 ;
                 as
                 
                   new
                   born
                   Children
                
                 ,
                 have
                 a
                 natural
                 inclination
                 to
                 the
                 food
                 that
                 will
                 keep
                 them
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 them
                 to
                 grow
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 soul
                 then
                 cannot
                 fall
                 into
                 these
                 entangling
                 sins
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 with
                 an
                 
                   high
                   neglect
                
                 ,
                 of
                 that
                 very
                 Principle
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 quite
                 contrary
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 .
                 The
                 labourings
                 ,
                 lustings
                 ,
                 desires
                 ,
                 crying
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 neglected
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Renovation
                   of
                   his
                   Image
                
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 owneth
                 and
                 careth
                 for
                 ;
                 the
                 wounding
                 of
                 its
                 vitals
                 ,
                 the
                 stifling
                 its
                 operations
                 ,
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 its
                 endeavours
                 for
                 the
                 souls
                 preservation
                 ,
                 do
                 alwayes
                 attend
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 importance
                 spoken
                 unto
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Whereas
                 this
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 this
                 principle
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 obedience
                 is
                 not
                 able
                 of
                 it self
                 to
                 preserve
                 the
                 soul
                 from
                 such
                 sins
                 as
                 will
                 bring
                 it
                 into
                 depths
                 ;
                 
                   there
                   is
                   full
                   provision
                   for
                   continual
                   supplies
                   made
                   for
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   its
                   wants
                   in
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 There
                 are
                 treasures
                 of
                 relief
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 the
                 soul
                 may
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 repair
                 and
                 find
                 succour
                 against
                 the
                 incursions
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 He
                 sayes
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 as
                 David
                 unto
                 Abiathar
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 fled
                 from
                 Doeg
                 :
                 
                   Abide
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   fear
                   not
                   ;
                   he
                   that
                   seeketh
                   my
                   life
                   ,
                   seeketh
                   thy
                   life
                   ,
                   but
                   with
                   me
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   in
                   safety
                   .
                
                 Sin
                 is
                 my
                 Enemy
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 thine
                 ;
                 it
                 seeketh
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 seeketh
                 my
                 life
                 ;
                 abide
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 with
                 me
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 in
                 safety
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 exhorts
                 us
                 unto
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   come
                   boldly
                   to
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   obtain
                   mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   find
                   grace
                   to
                   help
                   in
                   time
                   of
                   need
                   .
                
                 If
                 ever
                 it
                 be
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 need
                 with
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 under
                 the
                 assaults
                 of
                 provoking
                 sins
                 .
                 At
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 there
                 is
                 suitable
                 and
                 
                   seasonable
                   help
                
                 in
                 Christ
                 for
                 succour
                 and
                 relief
                 .
                 The
                 new
                 Creature
                 beggs
                 with
                 sighs
                 and
                 groans
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 soul
                 would
                 apply
                 it self
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 To
                 
                   neglect
                   him
                
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 Provision
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 stands
                 calling
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   open
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   my
                   head
                   is
                   filled
                   with
                   dew
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   locks
                   with
                   the
                   drops
                   of
                   the
                   night
                   ,
                
                 to
                 despise
                 the
                 sighing
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 by
                 sin
                 appointed
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 an
                 high
                 provocation
                 .
                 May
                 not
                 God
                 complain
                 and
                 say
                 ;
                 see
                 
                 these
                 poor
                 creatures
                 ;
                 they
                 were
                 once
                 intrusted
                 with
                 a
                 
                   stock
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 in
                 themselves
                 ;
                 this
                 they
                 cast
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 themselves
                 into
                 the
                 utmost
                 misery
                 thereby
                 .
                 That
                 they
                 might
                 not
                 utterly
                 perish
                 a
                 second
                 time
                 ,
                 their
                 portion
                 and
                 stock
                 is
                 now
                 laid
                 up
                 in
                 another
                 ;
                 a
                 safe
                 Treasurer
                 ;
                 in
                 him
                 are
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 comforts
                 secured
                 .
                 But
                 see
                 their
                 
                   wretched
                   negligence
                
                 ;
                 they
                 venture
                 all
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 they
                 will
                 attend
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 succour
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 think
                 we
                 is
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sees
                 his
                 Children
                 giving
                 way
                 to
                 conscience
                 wasting
                 sins
                 ,
                 without
                 that
                 application
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 life
                 and
                 peace
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 calls
                 upon
                 them
                 for
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 not
                 sins
                 of
                 daily
                 infirmity
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 avoided
                 ;
                 but
                 their
                 guilt
                 is
                 alwayes
                 attended
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 neglect
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 relief
                 provided
                 in
                 Christ
                 against
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 means
                 of
                 preservation
                 from
                 them
                 is
                 blessed
                 ,
                 ready
                 ,
                 nigh
                 at
                 hand
                 ;
                 the
                 concernment
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 our
                 preservation
                 great
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 unspeakable
                 ;
                 to
                 neglect
                 and
                 despise
                 ,
                 means
                 ,
                 Christ
                 ,
                 souls
                 ,
                 peace
                 and
                 life
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 render
                 guilt
                 very
                 guilty
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Much
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 may
                 be
                 spoken
                 about
                 that
                 
                   signal
                   provision
                   that
                   is
                   made
                   against
                   such
                   sins
                   as
                   these
                   in
                   the
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 already
                 declared
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 farther
                 carry
                 on
                 this
                 discourse
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 may
                 suffice
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 Psalm
                 represented
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 seen
                 what
                 the
                 depths
                 are
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 intangled
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 what
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 any
                 one
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 next
                 thing
                 that
                 offers
                 it self
                 unto
                 our
                 consideration
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 deportment
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 in
                 that
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ;
                 or
                 what
                 course
                 it
                 steers
                 towards
                 a
                 delivery
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   The
                   Duty
                   and
                   Actings
                   of
                   a
                   Believer
                   under
                   distresses
                   from
                   a
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   His
                   Application
                   unto
                   God.
                   To
                   God
                   alone
                   .
                   Earnestness
                   and
                   intention
                   of
                   mind
                   therein
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 The
                 words
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 first
                 Verses
                 declare
                 also
                 the
                 deportment
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 condition
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 described
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 course
                 it
                 steers
                 for
                 relief
                 .
                 
                   I
                   have
                   cryed
                   unto
                   thee
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Lord
                   hear
                   my
                   voice
                   ,
                   let
                   thine
                   ears
                   be
                   attentive
                   to
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   my
                   supplications
                   .
                
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 a
                 
                   General
                   Application
                
                 made
                 in
                 a
                 tendency
                 unto
                 relief
                 ;
                 wherein
                 is
                 first
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Application
                 is
                 made
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 JEHOVAH
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 cryed
                 unto
                 thee
                 Jehovah
                 .
                 God
                 gave
                 out
                 that
                 Name
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 to
                 confirm
                 their
                 faith
                 in
                 the
                 stability
                 of
                 his
                 Promises
                 ;
                 Exod.
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 who
                 is
                 BEING
                 himself
                 ,
                 will
                 assuredly
                 give
                 being
                 and
                 subsistance
                 to
                 his
                 promises
                 .
                 Being
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 his
                 Application
                 to
                 him
                 under
                 this
                 name
                 .
                 I
                 call
                 upon
                 thee
                 Jehovah
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 Application
                 it self
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 Anthropopathy
                 of
                 the
                 Expression
                 .
                 He
                 prayes
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 cause
                 his
                 
                   ears
                   to
                   be
                   attentive
                
                 :
                 after
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 men
                 who
                 seriously
                 attend
                 to
                 what
                 is
                 spoken
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 turn
                 aside
                 from
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 regard
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 Earnestness
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 it
                 hath
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 evident
                 both
                 from
                 the
                 Reduplication
                 of
                 his
                 request
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   hear
                   my
                   voyce
                   ,
                   let
                   thine
                   ears
                   be
                   attentive
                   to
                   my
                   voyce
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 Emphaticalness
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 he
                 maketh
                 use
                 of
                 .
                 Let
                 thine
                 ears
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 be
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   Diligently
                   Attentive
                
                 .
                 The
                 word
                 signifies
                 the
                 most
                 diligent
                 heedfulness
                 and
                 close
                 attention
                 ;
                 let
                 thine
                 ears
                 be
                 
                   very
                   attentive
                
                 ;
                 and
                 unto
                 what
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   to
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   my
                   supplications
                
                 :
                 
                   deprecationum
                   mearum
                
                 generally
                 say
                 Interpreters
                 ;
                 of
                 my
                 Deprecations
                 ;
                 or
                 earnest
                 prayers
                 for
                 the
                 averting
                 of
                 evil
                 ,
                 or
                 punishment
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 word
                 is
                 from
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   Gratiosus
                   suit
                
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 gracious
                 or
                 merciful
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 signifies
                 properly
                 
                   supplications
                   for
                   grace
                   .
                   Be
                   attentive
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   unto
                   my
                   supplications
                   for
                   grace
                   and
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 which
                 according
                 to
                 my
                 extream
                 necessity
                 ,
                 I
                 now
                 address
                 my self
                 to
                 make
                 
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 doth
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 general
                 the
                 frame
                 and
                 working
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 ,
                 being
                 cast
                 into
                 depths
                 and
                 darkness
                 by
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 foundation
                 of
                 what
                 I
                 shall
                 farther
                 thence
                 pursue
                 ,
                 lyes
                 in
                 these
                 two
                 Propositions
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   only
                   attempt
                   of
                   a
                   sinful
                   entangled
                   soul
                   for
                   relief
                   lyes
                   in
                   an
                   application
                   to
                   God
                   alone
                   .
                   To
                   thee
                
                 Jehovah
                 
                   have
                   I
                   cryed
                   ,
                   Lord
                   hear
                   .
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Depths
                   of
                   sin
                   intanglements
                   will
                   put
                   a
                   gracious
                   soul
                   on
                   intense
                   and
                   earnest
                   application
                   unto
                   God
                   ;
                   Lord
                   hear
                   ,
                   Lord
                   attend
                   .
                
                 Dying
                 men
                 do
                 not
                 use
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 slothfully
                 for
                 relief
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 may
                 be
                 thought
                 necessary
                 in
                 general
                 for
                 the
                 direction
                 of
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 described
                 ,
                 shall
                 briefly
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 from
                 these
                 two
                 Propositions
                 .
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 Trouble
                 ,
                 danger
                 ,
                 disquietment
                 ,
                 arguing
                 not
                 only
                 things
                 evil
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 sense
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 soul
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 of
                 themselves
                 put
                 those
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 upon
                 
                   seeking
                   relief
                
                 .
                 Every
                 thing
                 would
                 naturally
                 be
                 at
                 rest
                 :
                 A
                 
                   drowning
                   man
                
                 needs
                 no
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 endeavour
                 his
                 own
                 deliverance
                 and
                 safety
                 .
                 And
                 spiritual
                 troubles
                 will
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 put
                 men
                 on
                 attempts
                 for
                 relief
                 .
                 To
                 seek
                 for
                 no
                 remedy
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 senslesly
                 obdurate
                 or
                 wretchedly
                 desperate
                 ,
                 as
                 Cain
                 and
                 Judas
                 .
                 We
                 may
                 suppose
                 then
                 that
                 the
                 principal
                 business
                 of
                 every
                 soul
                 in
                 depths
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 endeavour
                 deliverance
                 .
                 They
                 cannot
                 rest
                 in
                 that
                 condition
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 have
                 
                   no
                   rest
                
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 endeavour
                 what
                 course
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 steers
                 ,
                 is
                 laid
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Proposition
                 ,
                 negatively
                 and
                 positively
                 .
                 He
                 applyes
                 himself
                 not
                 to
                 any
                 thing
                 
                   but
                   God
                
                 ,
                 he
                 applyes
                 himself
                 
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 An
                 eminent
                 instance
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 both
                 parts
                 ;
                 or
                 both
                 to
                 the
                 one
                 side
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 14.
                 3.
                 
                 Ashur
                 ,
                 say
                 those
                 poor
                 distressed
                 returning
                 sinners
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   save
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   not
                   ride
                   upon
                   Horses
                   ,
                   neither
                   will
                   we
                   say
                   any
                   more
                   to
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   our
                   hands
                   ,
                   ye
                   are
                   our
                   Gods
                   ,
                   for
                   in
                   thee
                   the
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 Their
                 application
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 attended
                 with
                 a
                 renunciation
                 of
                 every
                 other
                 way
                 of
                 relief
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 Several
                 things
                 there
                 are
                 that
                 sinners
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 apply
                 themselves
                 unto
                 for
                 relief
                 in
                 their
                 perplexities
                 ,
                 which
                 prove
                 unto
                 them
                 as
                 waters
                 that
                 fail
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 ,
                 things
                 have
                 the
                 Romanists
                 invented
                 to
                 deceive
                 souls
                 withal
                 ?
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Blessed
                   Virgin
                   ,
                   Wood
                   of
                   the
                   Cross
                   ,
                   Confissions
                   ,
                   Rennances
                   ,
                   Masses
                   ,
                   Pilgrimages
                   ,
                   Dirges
                   ,
                   Purgatories
                   ,
                   Papal
                   Pardons
                   ,
                   Works
                
                 of
                 Compensation
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 are
                 made
                 entrances
                 for
                 innumerable
                 souls
                 into
                 everlasting
                 ruine
                 .
                 Did
                 they
                 know
                 the
                 terror
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 mediation
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 ashamed
                 and
                 confounded
                 in
                 themselves
                 for
                 these
                 abominations
                 ;
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 say
                 unto
                 these
                 their
                 
                   Idols
                   ,
                   ye
                   are
                   our
                   Gods
                   ,
                
                 come
                 and
                 save
                 us
                 .
                 How
                 short
                 do
                 all
                 their
                 contrivances
                 come
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 fain
                 be
                 offering
                 Rivers
                 of
                 Oyl
                 ,
                 
                   yea
                   ,
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   his
                   body
                   for
                   the
                   sin
                   of
                   his
                   soul
                   ,
                   his
                   first
                   born
                   for
                   his
                   transgression
                   ,
                
                 Mich.
                 6.
                 7.
                 
                 Who
                 yet
                 gains
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 Aggravation
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 and
                 misery
                 thereby
                 :
                 Yea
                 ,
                 the
                 Heathen
                 went
                 beyond
                 them
                 in
                 devotion
                 and
                 expence
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 new
                 enquiry
                 what
                 course
                 
                   sin
                   perplexed
                   souls
                
                 should
                 take
                 for
                 relief
                 .
                 From
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 far
                 the
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 mankind
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 exercised
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 As
                 was
                 there
                 light
                 or
                 darkness
                 ,
                 such
                 was
                 the
                 course
                 they
                 took
                 ;
                 Among
                 those
                 who
                 were
                 ignorant
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 this
                 Enquiry
                 brought
                 forth
                 all
                 that
                 
                   Diabolical
                   Superstition
                
                 which
                 spread
                 it self
                 over
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 .
                 Gentilism
                 being
                 destroyed
                 by
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 Efficacy
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 enquiry
                 working
                 in
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 darkned
                 men
                 in
                 conjunction
                 with
                 other
                 lusts
                 ,
                 brought
                 forth
                 the
                 Papacy
                 .
                 When
                 men
                 had
                 lost
                 a
                 spiritual
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 Mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 eternal
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 efficacy
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 betook
                 themselves
                 in
                 part
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 whole
                 for
                 relief
                 under
                 their
                 entanglements
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   broken
                   Cisterns
                
                 mentioned
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 of
                 two
                 sorts
                 :
                 Self
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   other
                   things
                
                 .
                 For
                 those
                 
                   other
                   things
                
                 ,
                 which
                 belong
                 unto
                 their
                 
                   false
                   Worship
                
                 ,
                 being
                 abominated
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 farther
                 mention
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 relates
                 unto
                 self
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 confined
                 unto
                 Popery
                 ,
                 but
                 extends
                 it self
                 to
                 the
                 limits
                 of
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 predominate
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 seek
                 for
                 relief
                 
                 in
                 
                   sin
                   distresses
                
                 by
                 self-endeavours
                 ,
                 self-righteousness
                 .
                 Hence
                 many
                 poor
                 souls
                 in
                 straights
                 apply
                 themselves
                 ,
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 They
                 expect
                 their
                 cure
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 hand
                 that
                 wounded
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Judaism
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 all
                 men
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 are
                 still
                 animated
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 principle
                 .
                 
                   They
                   return
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Finding
                 themselves
                 
                   in
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 in
                 distresses
                 about
                 sin
                 ,
                 what
                 course
                 do
                 they
                 take
                 ?
                 This
                 they
                 will
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 ;
                 this
                 shall
                 be
                 their
                 ordinary
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 do
                 in
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 manner
                 ;
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 offended
                 ,
                 whence
                 their
                 trouble
                 ariseth
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 will
                 amend
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 that
                 their
                 peace
                 should
                 spring
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 God
                 and
                 they
                 ,
                 stood
                 on
                 equal
                 terms
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 way
                 some
                 spend
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 ;
                 sinning
                 and
                 amending
                 ,
                 amending
                 and
                 sinning
                 ,
                 without
                 once
                 coming
                 to
                 repentance
                 and
                 peace
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 believers
                 watch
                 against
                 .
                 They
                 look
                 on
                 themselves
                 as
                 fatherless
                 ;
                 in
                 thee
                 the
                 
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 helpless
                 ;
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 ground
                 of
                 hopes
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 expectation
                 from
                 themselves
                 .
                 They
                 know
                 their
                 repentance
                 ,
                 their
                 amendment
                 ,
                 their
                 supplications
                 ,
                 their
                 humiliations
                 ,
                 their
                 fastings
                 ,
                 their
                 mortifications
                 ;
                 will
                 not
                 relieve
                 them
                 .
                 Repent
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 amend
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 fast
                 ,
                 and
                 humble
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 know
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 their
                 duty
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 know
                 that
                 their
                 
                   goodness
                   extends
                   not
                   to
                   him
                
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 nor
                 is
                 he
                 profited
                 by
                 their
                 righteousness
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 all
                 duties
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 expect
                 not
                 deliverance
                 by
                 any
                 duty
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 God
                 ,
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 our
                 business
                 is
                 to
                 hearken
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 say
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 also
                 other
                 wayes
                 whereby
                 
                   sinful
                   souls
                
                 destroy
                 themselves
                 by
                 
                   false
                   reliefs
                   .
                   Diversions
                
                 from
                 their
                 perplexing
                 thoughtfulness
                 pleaseth
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 fix
                 on
                 something
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 cure
                 their
                 disease
                 ,
                 but
                 shall
                 only
                 make
                 them
                 forget
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 sick
                 .
                 As
                 Cain
                 under
                 the
                 terror
                 of
                 his
                 guilt
                 ,
                 departed
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 sought
                 inward
                 rest
                 in
                 outward
                 labour
                 and
                 employment
                 ;
                 he
                 
                   went
                   and
                   built
                   a
                   City
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 4.
                 6.
                 
                 Such
                 courses
                 Soul
                 fixed
                 on
                 ;
                 first
                 Musick
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 Witch
                 .
                 Nothing
                 more
                 ordinary
                 than
                 for
                 men
                 thus
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 their
                 convictions
                 .
                 They
                 
                   see
                   their
                   sickness
                   ,
                   feel
                   their
                   wound
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   Assyrian
                
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 5.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 insensibly
                 leads
                 men
                 into
                 Atheism
                 .
                 Frequent
                 Applications
                 of
                 
                   Creature
                   diversions
                
                 unto
                 convictions
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 notable
                 means
                 of
                 bringing
                 on
                 final
                 impenitency
                 .
                 Some
                 Drunkards
                 had
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 never
                 been
                 so
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 not
                 been
                 first
                 convinced
                 of
                 other
                 sins
                 .
                 They
                 strive
                 to
                 stifle
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 one
                 sin
                 ,
                 with
                 another
                 .
                 They
                 fly
                 from
                 themselves
                 ,
                 unto
                 themselves
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 consciences
                 unto
                 their
                 lusts
                 ;
                 and
                 seek
                 for
                 relief
                 
                   from
                   sin
                
                 by
                 sinning
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 Believers
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 allow
                 
                   lawful
                   things
                
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 diversion
                 of
                 their
                 distress
                 .
                 Use
                 lawful
                 things
                 they
                 may
                 and
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 to
                 divert
                 their
                 thoughts
                 from
                 their
                 distresses
                 .
                 These
                 they
                 know
                 must
                 be
                 issued
                 
                   between
                   God
                   and
                   them
                   .
                   Wear
                
                 off
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 .
                 These
                 rocks
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 whereof
                 there
                 are
                 innumerable
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 takes
                 care
                 to
                 avoid
                 .
                 He
                 knows
                 it
                 is
                 
                   God
                   alone
                
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 his
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 where
                 his
                 depths
                 lye
                 ;
                 
                   God
                   alone
                
                 against
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 sinned
                 ;
                 
                   God
                   alone
                
                 who
                 can
                 pardon
                 his
                 sin
                 .
                 From
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 neither
                 enticed
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   diverted
                   .
                   To
                   thee
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   do
                   I
                   come
                
                 ;
                 thy
                 word
                 concerning
                 me
                 must
                 stand
                 ;
                 upon
                 thee
                 will
                 I
                 wait
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 delight
                 in
                 me
                 I
                 must
                 perish
                 .
                 Other
                 remedies
                 I
                 know
                 are
                 vain
                 .
                 I
                 intend
                 not
                 to
                 spend
                 my
                 strength
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 bread
                 .
                 
                   Unto
                   thee
                   do
                   I
                   cry
                
                 .
                 Here
                 a
                 sin-intangled
                 soul
                 is
                 to
                 fix
                 its
                 self
                 .
                 Trouble
                 excites
                 it
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 relief
                 .
                 Many
                 things
                 
                   without
                   it
                
                 present
                 themselves
                 as
                 a
                 diversion
                 ;
                 many
                 things
                 
                   within
                   it
                
                 ,
                 offer
                 themselves
                 for
                 a
                 remedy
                 .
                 Forget
                 thy
                 sorrow
                 say
                 the
                 former
                 ;
                 ease
                 thy self
                 of
                 it
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 say
                 the
                 latter
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 refuseth
                 both
                 ,
                 as
                 Physitians
                 of
                 no
                 value
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 God
                 alone
                 ,
                 makes
                 its
                 Application
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 wounded
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 alone
                 can
                 heal
                 .
                 And
                 untill
                 any
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 will
                 come
                 off
                 from
                 all
                 reserves
                 to
                 deal
                 immediately
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 expect
                 relief
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Herein
                 it
                 is
                 
                   intense
                   ,
                   earnest
                   ,
                   and
                   urgent
                   ,
                
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 second
                 thing
                 observed
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 time
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 sloathful
                 .
                 The
                 souls
                 All
                 ,
                 its
                 greatest
                 concernments
                 are
                 at
                 the
                 stake
                 .
                 Dull
                 ,
                 cold
                 ,
                 formal
                 ,
                 customary
                 Applications
                 to
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 serve
                 the
                 turn
                 .
                 Ordinary
                 actings
                 of
                 saith
                 ,
                 love
                 ,
                 servency
                 ;
                 usual
                 seasons
                 ,
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 duties
                 ,
                 answer
                 not
                 this
                 condition
                 .
                 To
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 
                 than
                 ordinary
                 now
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 do
                 nothing
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 puts
                 forth
                 no
                 more
                 strength
                 and
                 activity
                 for
                 his
                 deliverance
                 when
                 he
                 
                   is
                   in
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 perish
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 or
                 hath
                 need
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 at
                 liberty
                 in
                 plain
                 and
                 smoorths
                 paths
                 ,
                 is
                 scarcely
                 like
                 to
                 escape
                 .
                 Some
                 (
                 in
                 such
                 conditions
                 )
                 are
                 careless
                 and
                 negligent
                 ;
                 they
                 think
                 in
                 an
                 ordinary
                 course
                 ,
                 to
                 wear
                 off
                 their
                 distempers
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 although
                 at
                 present
                 they
                 are
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 danger
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 yet
                 have
                 peace
                 at
                 last
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 frame
                 there
                 is
                 much
                 contempt
                 of
                 God.
                 Some
                 despond
                 and
                 languish
                 away
                 under
                 their
                 pressures
                 .
                 
                   Spiritual
                   sloth
                
                 influenceth
                 both
                 these
                 sorts
                 of
                 persons
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 see
                 the
                 frame
                 under
                 consideration
                 exemplified
                 in
                 another
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 an
                 instance
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Spouse
                   ,
                   Cant.
                
                 3.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 She
                 had
                 lost
                 the
                 
                   presence
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 before
                 described
                 ,
                 v.
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 night
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 darkness
                 and
                 disconsolation
                 ;
                 and
                 she
                 seeks
                 for
                 her
                 Beloved
                 :
                 
                   By
                   night
                   on
                   my
                   bed
                   I
                   sought
                   him
                   whom
                   my
                   soul
                   loveth
                   .
                
                 Christ
                 was
                 absent
                 from
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 was
                 left
                 unto
                 depths
                 and
                 darkness
                 upon
                 that
                 account
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 she
                 seeks
                 for
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 .
                 She
                 mends
                 not
                 her
                 pace
                 ,
                 goes
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 beyond
                 her
                 course
                 of
                 
                   ordinary
                   duties
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 frame
                 she
                 was
                 usually
                 in
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 ?
                 saith
                 she
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   found
                   him
                   not
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 way
                 to
                 recover
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 lost
                 Love
                 ;
                 nor
                 to
                 get
                 out
                 of
                 her
                 entanglements
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 puts
                 her
                 on
                 another
                 course
                 ;
                 she
                 begins
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 if
                 things
                 continue
                 in
                 this
                 estate
                 ,
                 she
                 shall
                 be
                 undone
                 ;
                 I
                 go
                 on
                 indeed
                 with
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 duties
                 still
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 
                   presence
                   of
                   my
                   Beloved
                
                 ;
                 I
                 meet
                 not
                 with
                 Christ
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 My
                 darkness
                 and
                 trouble
                 abides
                 still
                 ;
                 if
                 I
                 take
                 not
                 some
                 other
                 course
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 lost
                 .
                 Well
                 saith
                 she
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   rise
                   now
                   ,
                   v.
                
                 2.
                 
                 I
                 will
                 shake
                 off
                 all
                 that
                 ease
                 and
                 sloth
                 ,
                 and
                 customariness
                 ,
                 that
                 cleave
                 to
                 me
                 .
                 Some
                 more
                 lively
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 course
                 must
                 be
                 fixed
                 on
                 .
                 Resolutions
                 for
                 new
                 ,
                 extraordinary
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 ,
                 constant
                 
                   Applications
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 first
                 general
                 step
                 and
                 degree
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 sin
                 intangled
                 soul
                 acting
                 towards
                 a
                 recovery
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   rise
                   now
                
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 doth
                 she
                 do
                 when
                 she
                 is
                 thus
                 resolved
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   will
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 she
                 ,
                 
                   go
                   about
                   the
                   streets
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   broad
                   wayes
                   ,
                   and
                   seek
                   him
                   whom
                   my
                   soul
                   loveth
                   .
                
                 I
                 will
                 leave
                 no
                 wayes
                 or
                 means
                 unattempted
                 ,
                 whereby
                 I
                 may
                 
                 possibly
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 fresh
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 seek
                 for
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 look
                 for
                 him
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 
                   broad
                   wayes
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 either
                 in
                 Towns
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 Fields
                 .
                 So
                 will
                 I
                 do
                 saith
                 the
                 Spouse
                 ;
                 in
                 what
                 Way
                 ,
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 or
                 Institution
                 soever
                 ,
                 in
                 or
                 by
                 what
                 duty
                 soever
                 ,
                 publick
                 or
                 private
                 ,
                 of
                 communion
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 solitary
                 retiredness
                 ,
                 Christ
                 ever
                 was
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 or
                 peace
                 obtained
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   seek
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 give
                 over
                 until
                 I
                 come
                 to
                 an
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 frame
                 ,
                 this
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 depths
                 must
                 come
                 unto
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 it
                 expect
                 deliverance
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 ,
                 
                   mens
                   wounds
                   stink
                   and
                   are
                   corrupt
                   because
                   of
                   their
                   foolishness
                   .
                
                 As
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 complains
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 38.
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 wounded
                 by
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 through
                 
                   spiritual
                   sloth
                
                 they
                 neglect
                 their
                 cure
                 ;
                 this
                 weakens
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 disquiets
                 them
                 day
                 by
                 day
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 endure
                 all
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 they
                 will
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 carnal
                 ease
                 to
                 deal
                 effectually
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 manner
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 otherwise
                 with
                 David
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 22.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Why
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   art
                   thou
                   so
                   far
                   from
                   helping
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   my
                   roaring
                   !
                   O
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   cry
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   night
                   season
                   ,
                   and
                   am
                   not
                   silent
                   .
                
                 What
                 ayles
                 the
                 Man
                 ?
                 Can
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 quiet
                 night
                 nor
                 day
                 ?
                 never
                 silent
                 ,
                 never
                 hold
                 his
                 peace
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 somewhat
                 disquieted
                 ,
                 can
                 he
                 not
                 contain
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 roar
                 ,
                 and
                 cry
                 out
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 must
                 he
                 roar
                 thus
                 
                   all
                   the
                   day
                   long
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 32.
                 3.
                 and
                 groan
                 all
                 
                   the
                   night
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Psal.
                 6.
                 6.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 matter
                 with
                 all
                 this
                 
                   roaring
                   ,
                   sighing
                   ,
                   tears
                
                 ,
                 roaring
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 all
                 night
                 long
                 ?
                 Ah
                 let
                 him
                 alone
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   soul
                   is
                   bitter
                   in
                   him
                
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 fallen
                 into
                 depths
                 ;
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 withdrawn
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 trouble
                 is
                 hard
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 anxiety
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 quietness
                 nor
                 soundness
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 must
                 thus
                 earnestly
                 and
                 restlessy
                 apply
                 himself
                 for
                 relief
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 what
                 strangers
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 are
                 men
                 
                   now
                   adayes
                
                 to
                 this
                 frame
                 ?
                 How
                 little
                 of
                 the
                 workings
                 of
                 this
                 Spirit
                 is
                 found
                 amongst
                 us
                 ?
                 And
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 value
                 the
                 world
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 Heaven
                 and
                 heavenly
                 things
                 less
                 than
                 he
                 did
                 ?
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 live
                 at
                 a
                 better
                 rate
                 without
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 could
                 do
                 ?
                 and
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 hence
                 that
                 we
                 every
                 day
                 see
                 so
                 many
                 
                   withering
                   Professors
                
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 in
                 a
                 manner
                 lost
                 all
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 beyond
                 a
                 little
                 lip-labour
                 ,
                 or
                 talking
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   filthy
                   savour
                
                 of
                 whose
                 wounds
                 
                 are
                 offensive
                 to
                 all
                 but
                 themselves
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 will
                 they
                 go
                 on
                 ready
                 to
                 dye
                 and
                 perish
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 with
                 this
                 holy
                 man
                 thus
                 stir
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 meet
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Heman
                 was
                 also
                 like
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 88
                 11
                 ;
                 13.
                 
                 What
                 sense
                 he
                 had
                 of
                 his
                 depths
                 ,
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 v.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   My
                   soul
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   full
                   of
                   troubles
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   life
                   draweth
                   nigh
                   unto
                   the
                   grave
                   .
                
                 And
                 what
                 course
                 doth
                 he
                 steer
                 in
                 this
                 heavy
                 ,
                 sorrowful
                 ,
                 and
                 disconsolate
                 condition
                 ?
                 Why
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   God
                   of
                   my
                   salvation
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   cryed
                   day
                   and
                   night
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   prayer
                   come
                   before
                   thee
                   ,
                   encline
                   thine
                   ear
                   unto
                   my
                   cry
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Day
                 and
                 night
                 he
                 cryes
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 earnestness
                 and
                 importunity
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 his
                 business
                 ,
                 this
                 was
                 he
                 exercised
                 about
                 all
                 his
                 dayes
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 aimed
                 at
                 ;
                 if
                 a
                 
                   gracious
                   soul
                
                 be
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 depths
                 before
                 mentioned
                 and
                 described
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 lead
                 him
                 forth
                 towards
                 a
                 recovery
                 ,
                 he
                 causeth
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 vigorous
                 ,
                 and
                 restless
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 duties
                 whereby
                 he
                 may
                 make
                 Application
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 deliverance
                 .
                 Now
                 wherein
                 this
                 intensness
                 and
                 earnestness
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 Applications
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 doth
                 principally
                 consist
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 declare
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 have
                 touched
                 a
                 little
                 upon
                 some
                 considerations
                 and
                 grounds
                 that
                 stir
                 it
                 up
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   mens
                   concernments
                
                 may
                 well
                 put
                 them
                 on
                 this
                 earnestness
                 .
                 Men
                 do
                 not
                 use
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 dull
                 and
                 
                   slothful
                   spirits
                
                 about
                 their
                 greatest
                 concerns
                 .
                 David
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 more
                 concerned
                 
                   in
                   the
                   light
                
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   countenance
                
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 could
                 be
                 in
                 their
                 
                   Corn
                   and
                   Wine
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 4.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 Suppose
                 a
                 
                   man
                   of
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 should
                 have
                 his
                 house
                 ,
                 wherein
                 all
                 his
                 stock
                 and
                 riches
                 are
                 laid
                 up
                 ,
                 set
                 on
                 fire
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 the
                 whole
                 be
                 in
                 danger
                 under
                 his
                 eye
                 to
                 be
                 consumed
                 ;
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 calm
                 and
                 quiet
                 in
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Would
                 he
                 not
                 bestir
                 himself
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 might
                 ,
                 and
                 call
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 help
                 he
                 could
                 obtain
                 ?
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 his
                 portion
                 ,
                 his
                 all
                 ,
                 his
                 great
                 concernment
                 lyes
                 at
                 stake
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 the
                 soul
                 be
                 slothful
                 ,
                 careless
                 ,
                 dull
                 ,
                 secure
                 ,
                 when
                 fire
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 its
                 eternal
                 concernments
                 ?
                 when
                 the
                 
                   light
                   of
                   Gods
                   countenance
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 more
                 esteem
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 greatest
                 
                   increase
                   of
                   Corn
                   and
                   Wine
                
                 ,
                 can
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 removed
                 from
                 him
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 an
                 argument
                 of
                 prodigious
                 
                 security
                 in
                 Jonah
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 fast
                 asleep
                 when
                 the
                 Ship
                 wherein
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 away
                 for
                 his
                 ●●ke
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 thought
                 less
                 in
                 any
                 soul
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 in
                 a
                 storm
                 of
                 wrath
                 and
                 displeasure
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 sent
                 out
                 into
                 the
                 deep
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 neglect
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 sleep
                 ,
                 as
                 Solomon
                 sayes
                 on
                 the
                 
                   top
                   of
                   a
                   Mast
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   the
                   Sea
                
                 ?
                 How
                 did
                 that
                 poor
                 creature
                 whose
                 heart
                 was
                 mad
                 on
                 his
                 
                   Idols
                   ,
                   Judg.
                
                 18.
                 24.
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 deprived
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 
                   You
                   have
                   taken
                   away
                   my
                   Gods
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   what
                   have
                   I
                   more
                
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 
                   lose
                   his
                   God
                
                 ,
                 through
                 his
                 own
                 folly
                 ,
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 consolation
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 might
                 follow
                 hard
                 after
                 him
                 ?
                 Peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 joy
                 in
                 believing
                 ,
                 such
                 souls
                 have
                 formerly
                 obtained
                 ;
                 Can
                 they
                 live
                 without
                 them
                 now
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 ordinarily
                 walking
                 ,
                 can
                 they
                 choose
                 but
                 cry
                 out
                 with
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   O
                   that
                   it
                   were
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   as
                   in
                   former
                   dayes
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   candle
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   was
                   upon
                   our
                   Tabernacle
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 29.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 and
                 with
                 David
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 
                   restore
                   unto
                   me
                   the
                   joy
                   of
                   salvation
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 12.
                 for
                 
                   Oh
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   remember
                   former
                   enjoyments
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   soul
                   is
                   cast
                   down
                   within
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 42.
                 6.
                 
                 They
                 cannot
                 live
                 without
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 suppose
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 make
                 a
                 
                   sorry
                   shift
                
                 to
                 pass
                 on
                 in
                 their
                 pilgrimage
                 ,
                 whilst
                 all
                 is
                 smooth
                 about
                 them
                 ;
                 what
                 will
                 they
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 outward
                 tryals
                 and
                 distresses
                 ;
                 when
                 
                   deep
                   calleth
                   unto
                   deep
                
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 trouble
                 excites
                 and
                 sharpens
                 another
                 :
                 Nothing
                 then
                 will
                 support
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 wanting
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 as
                 Hab.
                 3.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 Psal.
                 23.
                 4.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 their
                 concernment
                 ,
                 provokes
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 earnestness
                 mentioned
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 They
                 have
                 
                   a
                   deep
                   sense
                
                 of
                 these
                 their
                 
                   great
                   concernments
                
                 .
                 All
                 men
                 are
                 
                   equally
                   concerned
                
                 in
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Every
                 one
                 hath
                 a
                 soul
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 immortal
                 constitution
                 ,
                 equally
                 capable
                 of
                 bliss
                 and
                 wo.
                 But
                 yet
                 we
                 see
                 most
                 men
                 are
                 so
                 
                   stupidly
                   sottish
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 take
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 Neither
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 death
                 ,
                 nor
                 Hell
                 ,
                 are
                 thought
                 on
                 or
                 esteemed
                 by
                 them
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 their
                 concernments
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 sensible
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 
                   gracious
                   souls
                
                 ,
                 have
                 a
                 quick
                 living
                 sense
                 of
                 spiritual
                 things
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 They
                 have
                 a
                 
                   saving
                   spiritual
                   light
                
                 whereby
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 discern
                 the
                 true
                 nature
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 terror
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
                 For
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 now
                 supposed
                 to
                 have
                 lost
                 the
                 
                   comforting
                   light
                
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 never
                 loose
                 the
                 
                   sanctifying
                   light
                
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 the
                 light
                 whereby
                 they
                 are
                 enabled
                 to
                 discern
                 spiritual
                 things
                 in
                 a
                 spiritual
                 manner
                 ,
                 this
                 never
                 utterly
                 departs
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 
                   By
                   this
                
                 they
                 see
                 
                   sin
                   to
                   be
                   exceeding
                   sinfull
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 13.
                 
                 By
                 this
                 they
                 
                   know
                   the
                   terror
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   fearful
                   thing
                   to
                   fall
                   into
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 31.
                 
                 By
                 this
                 they
                 discover
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 passeth
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 the
                 present
                 sense
                 whereof
                 they
                 have
                 lost
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 they
                 are
                 enabled
                 to
                 look
                 within
                 the
                 vail
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 consolations
                 which
                 the
                 Saints
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 whose
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 was
                 never
                 interrupted
                 .
                 This
                 represents
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 the
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 
                   Joy
                   ,
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 former
                 dayes
                 they
                 had
                 whilst
                 God
                 was
                 present
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 Love
                 :
                 By
                 this
                 ,
                 are
                 they
                 taught
                 to
                 value
                 all
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 many
                 whereof
                 they
                 are
                 at
                 present
                 cut
                 short
                 and
                 deprived
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 with
                 other
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 nature
                 and
                 importance
                 make
                 them
                 very
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 concernments
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 They
                 remember
                 what
                 it
                 
                   cost
                   them
                
                 formerly
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 hence
                 they
                 know
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 
                   ordinary
                   matter
                
                 they
                 have
                 in
                 hand
                 .
                 They
                 must
                 again
                 to
                 their
                 old
                 work
                 ;
                 take
                 the
                 old
                 cup
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 again
                 .
                 A
                 recovery
                 from
                 depths
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 
                   new
                   conversion
                
                 .
              
               
                 Oft-times
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   work
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 souls
                 apprehension
                 ,
                 is
                 gone
                 over
                 afresh
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 soul
                 knows
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 a
                 work
                 of
                 dread
                 ,
                 terror
                 and
                 trouble
                 ,
                 and
                 trembles
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 at
                 its
                 new
                 tryals
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 gives
                 unto
                 such
                 poor
                 souls
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   fresh
                   sense
                
                 of
                 their
                 
                   deep
                   concernments
                
                 ,
                 on
                 purpose
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 stir
                 them
                 up
                 unto
                 these
                 earnest
                 Applications
                 unto
                 God.
                 The
                 whole
                 work
                 is
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 carries
                 it
                 on
                 ,
                 by
                 means
                 suited
                 to
                 the
                 compassing
                 of
                 the
                 end
                 he
                 aimeth
                 at
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 these
                 means
                 is
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 frame
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Now
                 there
                 are
                 sundry
                 things
                 that
                 concur
                 in
                 and
                 unto
                 this
                 frame
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 
                   continual
                   thoughtfulness
                
                 about
                 the
                 sad
                 condition
                 wherein
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 in
                 its
                 depths
                 .
                 Being
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 their
                 condition
                 they
                 are
                 continually
                 ruminating
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 pondering
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 minds
                 .
                 So
                 David
                 declares
                 the
                 case
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 38.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Thine
                   arrows
                   stick
                   fast
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   hand
                   presseth
                   me
                   sore
                   ;
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   soundness
                   in
                   my
                   flesh
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   thine
                   anger
                   ,
                   neither
                   is
                   there
                   any
                   rest
                   in
                   my
                   bones
                   because
                   of
                   my
                   sins
                   ;
                   for
                   mine
                   iniquities
                   are
                   gone
                   over
                   mine
                   head
                   ,
                   as
                   an
                   heavy
                   burthen
                   they
                   are
                   too
                   heavy
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   my
                   wounds
                   stink
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   corrupt
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   my
                   foolishness
                   ;
                   I
                   am
                   troubled
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   bowed
                   down
                   ,
                   I
                   go
                   mourning
                   all
                   the
                   day
                   long
                   ;
                   I
                   am
                   feeble
                   and
                   sore
                   broken
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   roared
                   for
                   the
                   disquietness
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   .
                
                 Restlestness
                 ,
                 deep-thoughtfulness
                 ,
                 disquietness
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 continual
                 heaviness
                 of
                 soul
                 ,
                 sorrow
                 and
                 anxiety
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 the
                 Applications
                 we
                 speak
                 of
                 .
                 From
                 these
                 Principles
                 their
                 prayers
                 flow
                 out
                 ;
                 as
                 David
                 adds
                 ,
                 v.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   all
                   my
                   desire
                   is
                   before
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   groaning
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   hid
                   from
                   thee
                   .
                
                 This
                 way
                 all
                 his
                 trouble
                 wrought
                 .
                 He
                 prayed
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 abundance
                 of
                 his
                 meditation
                 and
                 grief
                 .
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 their
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 lye
                 down
                 with
                 such
                 Persons
                 ,
                 and
                 rise
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 accompany
                 them
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 .
                 As
                 Reuben
                 cryed
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   child
                   is
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   whither
                   shall
                   I
                   go
                   ?
                
                 So
                 doth
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 ;
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 ,
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 whither
                 shall
                 I
                 cause
                 my
                 sorrow
                 to
                 go
                 ?
                 God
                 is
                 provoked
                 ,
                 death
                 is
                 nigh
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 relief
                 is
                 far
                 away
                 ,
                 darkness
                 is
                 about
                 me
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 lost
                 my
                 peace
                 ,
                 my
                 joy
                 ,
                 my
                 Song
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ;
                 what
                 do
                 I
                 think
                 of
                 duties
                 ?
                 Can
                 two
                 
                   walk
                   together
                   unless
                   they
                   be
                   agreed
                
                 ?
                 Can
                 I
                 walk
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 whilst
                 I
                 have
                 thus
                 made
                 him
                 mine
                 enemy
                 ?
                 What
                 do
                 I
                 think
                 of
                 Ordinances
                 ?
                 Will
                 it
                 do
                 me
                 any
                 good
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 see
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ?
                 to
                 live
                 under
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 meet
                 in
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 
                   King
                   of
                   Saints
                
                 ?
                 May
                 I
                 not
                 justly
                 fear
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 take
                 his
                 
                   holy
                   Spirit
                   from
                   me
                
                 ,
                 until
                 I
                 be
                 left
                 without
                 remedy
                 ?
                 With
                 such
                 thoughts
                 as
                 these
                 are
                 
                   sin-entangled
                   souls
                
                 exercised
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 lye
                 rolling
                 in
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 applications
                 unto
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 We
                 see
                 the
                 Application
                 it self
                 consists
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 made
                 by
                 the
                 
                   prayer
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ;
                 or
                 crying
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 now
                 this
                 is
                 
                 done
                 with
                 intenseness
                 of
                 mind
                 ;
                 which
                 hath
                 a
                 twofold
                 fruit
                 or
                 property
                 ;
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Importunity
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Constancy
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 our
                 blessed
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 depths
                 ,
                 about
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 offered
                 up
                 
                   prayers
                   and
                   supplications
                   with
                   strong
                   cryes
                   and
                   tears
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 7.
                 
                 Strong
                 cryes
                 and
                 tears
                 ,
                 express
                 the
                 
                   utmost
                   intension
                
                 of
                 Spirit
                 .
                 And
                 David
                 expresseth
                 it
                 by
                 roaring
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 before
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 by
                 
                   sighing
                   ,
                   groaning
                
                 and
                 panting
                 .
                 A
                 soul
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 lyes
                 down
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 with
                 sighs
                 ,
                 groans
                 ,
                 mourning
                 ,
                 cryes
                 ,
                 tears
                 and
                 roaring
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 various
                 working
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 being
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 produceth
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Importunity
                 .
                 The
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 importunity
                 of
                 Faith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 hath
                 marvelously
                 set
                 out
                 ,
                 Luke
                 11.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 as
                 also
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 18.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Importunate
                   prayer
                
                 is
                 certainly
                 prevailing
                 .
                 And
                 importunity
                 is
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 :
                 frequency
                 of
                 interposition
                 ,
                 and
                 variety
                 of
                 arguings
                 .
                 You
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 importunate
                 come
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   seven
                   times
                   a
                   day
                
                 about
                 the
                 same
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 all
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 new
                 thought
                 come
                 into
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 had
                 resolved
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 again
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 imagined
                 to
                 relate
                 unto
                 the
                 business
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 his
                 plea.
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 .
                 Men
                 will
                 use
                 both
                 frequency
                 of
                 interposition
                 ,
                 and
                 variety
                 of
                 arguings
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 86.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   I
                   cry
                   unto
                   thee
                   daily
                
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 but
                 that
                 
                   one
                   business
                
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 attended
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 means
                 we
                 
                   give
                   God
                   no
                   rest
                   ,
                   Isa.
                
                 62.
                 7.
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 
                   very
                   character
                
                 of
                 importunity
                 .
                 Such
                 souls
                 
                   go
                   to
                   God
                
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 satisfied
                 with
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 
                   go
                   again
                
                 ;
                 and
                 somewhat
                 abideth
                 still
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 
                   go
                   to
                   him
                   again
                
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 emptied
                 ;
                 
                   they
                   'l
                   go
                   again
                
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 no
                 rest
                 .
                 What
                 variety
                 of
                 arguments
                 are
                 pleaded
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 also
                 manifest
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 David
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 known
                 to
                 all
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 almost
                 that
                 he
                 makes
                 not
                 a
                 plea
                 of
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   Faithfulness
                   ,
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 Name
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 and
                 kindness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 the
                 concernment
                 of
                 others
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 the
                 friends
                 and
                 foes
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 his
                 own
                 weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 helplesness
                 ,
                 
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 it self
                 :
                 
                   Be
                   merciful
                   to
                   my
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   great
                
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 he
                 begins
                 with
                 some
                 Arguments
                 of
                 this
                 kind
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 being
                 a
                 little
                 diverted
                 by
                 other
                 considerations
                 ,
                 some
                 new
                 plea
                 is
                 suggested
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 ane
                 he
                 returns
                 immediately
                 to
                 his
                 first
                 employment
                 and
                 design
                 ,
                 all
                 arguing
                 great
                 intension
                 of
                 mind
                 and
                 spirit
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 Constancy
                 also
                 flows
                 from
                 intenseness
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 soul
                 will
                 not
                 give
                 over
                 ,
                 untill
                 it
                 obtain
                 what
                 it
                 aims
                 at
                 ,
                 and
                 looks
                 for
                 :
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 our
                 process
                 in
                 opening
                 this
                 Psalm
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 in
                 general
                 the
                 deportment
                 of
                 a
                 
                   gracious
                   soul
                
                 in
                 the
                 condition
                 here
                 represented
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 As
                 poor
                 creatures
                 love
                 their
                 peace
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 love
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 tender
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 wanting
                 in
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 reason
                 that
                 controversies
                 hang
                 so
                 long
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 you
                 scarce
                 see
                 a
                 good
                 day
                 all
                 your
                 lives
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 from
                 your
                 sloth
                 and
                 despondency
                 of
                 spirit
                 ?
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 gird
                 up
                 the
                 loyns
                 of
                 your
                 minds
                 ,
                 in
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 speedy
                 issue
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 You
                 go
                 on
                 and
                 off
                 ,
                 begin
                 and
                 cease
                 ,
                 try
                 and
                 give
                 over
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 ,
                 though
                 your
                 case
                 be
                 extraordinary
                 ,
                 content
                 your selves
                 with
                 ordinary
                 and
                 customary
                 Applications
                 unto
                 God.
                 This
                 makes
                 you
                 wither
                 ,
                 become
                 useless
                 ,
                 and
                 pine
                 away
                 in
                 and
                 under
                 your
                 perplexities
                 .
                 David
                 did
                 not
                 so
                 ;
                 but
                 after
                 many
                 and
                 many
                 a
                 breach
                 made
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 yet
                 through
                 quick
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 ,
                 restless
                 actings
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 all
                 was
                 repaired
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 lived
                 peaceably
                 and
                 dyed
                 triumphantly
                 .
                 Up
                 then
                 and
                 be
                 doing
                 ;
                 let
                 not
                 your
                 
                   wounds
                   corrupt
                   because
                   of
                   your
                   folly
                
                 ;
                 make
                 through
                 work
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 lyes
                 before
                 you
                 ;
                 be
                 it
                 long
                 ,
                 or
                 difficult
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 attended
                 with
                 safety
                 ;
                 What
                 you
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 meet
                 withal
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 shall
                 nextly
                 be
                 declared
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               Verse
               3.
               
            
             
               
                 The
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Verse
                 explained
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 meaning
                 opened
                 .
              
            
             
               
               THE
               
                 general
                 frame
              
               of
               a
               gracious
               soul
               in
               its
               perplexities
               about
               sin
               ,
               hath
               been
               declared
               .
               It
               s
               
                 particular
                 actings
              
               ,
               what
               it
               doth
               ,
               what
               it
               meets
               withal
               ,
               are
               nextly
               represented
               unto
               us
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Then
               in
               particular
               it
               cryes
               out
               ,
               
                 If
                 thou
                 Lord
                 shouldst
                 mark
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 who
                 shall
                 stand
                 ?
              
            
             
               There
               is
               in
               the
               words
               a
               Supposition
               ;
               and
               an
               Inference
               on
               that
               Supposition
               .
               In
               the
               Supposition
               ;
               there
               is
               ,
               first
               ,
               the
               Name
               of
               God
               that
               is
               fixed
               on
               as
               suited
               unto
               it
               .
               And
               Secondly
               ,
               The
               
                 thing
                 it self
              
               supposed
               .
               In
               the
               Inference
               ,
               there
               is
               expressed
               the
               matter
               of
               it
               ;
               
                 to
                 stand
              
               ;
               and
               the
               manner
               of
               its
               proposal
               ;
               Wherein
               two
               things
               occur
               ,
               (
               1.
               )
               That
               it
               is
               expressed
               by
               way
               of
               Interrogation
               :
               (
               2.
               )
               The
               Indefiniteness
               of
               that
               Interrogation
               ;
               
                 Who
                 shall
                 stand
              
               ?
            
             
               If
               thou
               Lord
               ;
               He
               here
               fixes
               on
               another
               name
               of
               God
               ;
               which
               is
               Jah
               .
               A
               name
               though
               from
               the
               same
               root
               with
               the
               former
               ,
               yet
               seldom
               used
               ,
               but
               to
               intimate
               and
               express
               the
               
                 terrible
                 Majesty
                 of
                 God.
                 He
                 rideth
                 on
                 the
                 Heavens
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 extolled
                 by
                 his
                 name
                 Jah
                 .
              
               Psal.
               68.
               4.
               
               He
               is
               to
               deal
               now
               with
               God
               about
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ;
               and
               God
               is
               represented
               to
               the
               soul
               as
               
                 great
                 and
                 terrible
              
               ;
               that
               he
               may
               know
               what
               to
               expect
               and
               look
               for
               ,
               if
               the
               matter
               must
               be
               tryed
               out
               according
               to
               the
               demerit
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               What
               then
               saith
               he
               to
               
                 J
                 A
                 H
              
               ?
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 mark
                 iniquities
              
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               is
               to
               observe
               and
               keep
               as
               in
               safe
               custody
               .
               To
               
                 keep
                 ,
                 preserve
              
               and
               watch
               diligently
               .
               So
               to
               remark
               and
               observe
               ,
               as
               to
               retain
               that
               which
               is
               observed
               ,
               to
               ponder
               it
               ,
               and
               lay
               it
               up
               in
               the
               heart
               ,
               Gen.
               37.
               11.
               
               
                 Jacob
                 observed
                 Josephs
              
               dream
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               retained
               the
               memory
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               pondered
               it
               in
               his
               heart
               .
            
             
               The
               
                 marking
                 of
                 Iniquities
              
               then
               here
               intended
               ,
               is
               Gods
               so
               far
               considering
               and
               observing
               of
               them
               ,
               as
               to
               
                 reserve
                 them
                 for
                 punishment
              
               and
               vengeance
               .
               In
               opposition
               unto
               this
               marking
               ,
               he
               is
               
               said
               not
               to
               
                 see
                 sin
              
               ,
               to
               overlook
               it
               ,
               to
               cover
               it
               ,
               to
               forget
               it
               ,
               or
               remember
               it
               no
               more
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               forgive
               it
               ,
               as
               the
               next
               Verse
               declares
               .
            
             
               I
               need
               not
               shew
               that
               God
               so
               far
               
                 marks
                 all
              
               sins
               in
               all
               persons
               ,
               as
               to
               
                 see
                 them
                 ,
                 know
              
               them
               ,
               disallow
               them
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               displeased
               with
               them
               .
               This
               cannot
               be
               denyed
               without
               taking
               away
               of
               all
               grounds
               of
               his
               fear
               and
               Worship
               .
               To
               deny
               it
               ,
               is
               all
               one
               as
               to
               deny
               the
               very
               Being
               of
               God
               ;
               deny
               his
               Holiness
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               and
               you
               deny
               his
               Existence
               .
               But
               there
               is
               a
               day
               appointed
               ,
               wherein
               all
               the
               men
               of
               the
               world
               shall
               know
               ,
               that
               
                 God
                 knew
              
               and
               took
               notice
               of
               all
               and
               every
               one
               of
               their
               most
               secret
               sins
               .
               There
               is
               then
               a
               
                 double
                 marking
              
               of
               sin
               in
               God
               ,
               neither
               of
               which
               can
               be
               denyed
               in
               reference
               unto
               any
               sins
               ,
               in
               any
               persons
               .
               The
               first
               is
               Physical
               ,
               consisting
               in
               his
               omniscience
               whereunto
               all
               things
               are
               open
               and
               naked
               .
               Thus
               no
               sin
               is
               hid
               from
               him
               ;
               the
               secretest
               are
               before
               the
               light
               of
               his
               countenance
               .
               All
               are
               marked
               by
               him
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               Moral
               ;
               in
               a
               displicency
               with
               ,
               or
               displeasure
               against
               every
               sin
               ,
               which
               is
               inseparable
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               his
               Holiness
               .
               And
               this
               is
               declared
               in
               the
               sentence
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               that
               equally
               to
               all
               men
               in
               the
               world
               .
               But
               the
               marking
               here
               intended
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               is
               in
               a
               tendency
               to
               Animadversion
               and
               punishment
               according
               to
               the
               tenor
               of
               the
               Law.
               Not
               only
               the
               sentence
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               a
               
                 Will
                 of
                 punishing
              
               according
               to
               it
               is
               included
               in
               it
               .
               If
               saith
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               
                 thou
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 dreadful
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 extolled
                 by
                 thy
                 glorious
                 name
              
               Jah
               ,
               
                 shouldst
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 recompence
                 them
                 unto
                 sinners
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 severity
                 and
                 exigence
                 of
                 thy
                 holy
                 Law.
              
               What
               then
               ?
               It
               is
               answered
               by
               the
               matter
               of
               the
               
                 Proposal
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 stand
              
               ?
               That
               is
               ,
               none
               can
               so
               do
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               sayes
               Chrysostom
               ;
               This
               WHO
               ,
               is
               NONE
               .
               
                 No
                 man
              
               ,
               not
               one
               in
               the
               world
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 quis
                 stabit
              
               ,
               or
               consistet
               ;
               who
               can
               stand
               ,
               or
               abide
               and
               endure
               the
               tryal
               ?
               Every
               one
               on
               this
               supposition
               must
               perish
               ,
               and
               that
               eternally
               .
               This
               the
               desert
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               Curse
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               Rule
               of
               this
               
                 marking
                 of
                 their
                 iniquity
              
               ,
               doth
               require
               .
               And
               there
               is
               a
               notable
               emphasis
               in
               the
               interragation
               ,
               which
               contains
               the
               manner
               of
               the
               Inference
               .
               
                 Who
                 can
                 stand
              
               ?
               is
               more
               than
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               none
               can
               abide
               the
               tryal
               ,
               and
               escape
               
               without
               everlasting
               ruine
               .
               For
               the
               Interrogation
               is
               indefinite
               ;
               not
               
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 ?
                 but
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 stand
                 ?
              
               When
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               would
               set
               out
               the
               certainty
               ,
               and
               dreadfulness
               of
               the
               perishing
               of
               ungodly
               men
               ,
               he
               doth
               it
               by
               such
               a
               kind
               of
               expression
               ,
               wherein
               there
               is
               a
               deeper
               sense
               intimated
               into
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               ,
               than
               any
               words
               can
               well
               cloath
               or
               declare
               .
               1
               Pet.
               4.
               17.
               
               
                 What
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 obey
                 not
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
              
               and
               v.
               18.
               
               
                 Where
                 shall
                 the
                 ungodly
                 and
                 the
                 sinner
                 appear
                 ?
              
               So
               here
               .
               
                 Who
                 can
                 stand
              
               ?
               there
               is
               a
               deep
               insinuation
               of
               a
               
                 dreadful
                 ruine
              
               ,
               as
               unto
               all
               ,
               with
               whom
               God
               shall
               so
               deal
               ,
               as
               to
               
                 mark
                 their
                 iniquities
              
               .
               See
               Psal.
               1.
               5.
               
            
             
               The
               Psalmist
               then
               addressing
               himself
               to
               deal
               with
               God
               about
               sin
               ,
               layes
               down
               in
               the
               first
               place
               in
               the
               general
               how
               things
               must
               go
               ,
               not
               with
               
                 himself
                 only
              
               ,
               but
               with
               
                 all
                 the
                 world
              
               ,
               upon
               the
               supposition
               he
               had
               fixed
               .
               This
               is
               not
               
                 my
                 case
                 only
              
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               so
               with
               
                 all
                 mankind
              
               ,
               every
               one
               who
               is
               partaker
               of
               flesh
               and
               blood
               ;
               whether
               their
               guilt
               answer
               that
               ,
               which
               I
               am
               oppressed
               withal
               or
               no
               ;
               all
               is
               one
               ;
               guilty
               they
               are
               all
               ,
               and
               all
               must
               perish
               :
               How
               much
               more
               must
               that
               needs
               be
               
                 my
                 condition
              
               ,
               who
               have
               contracted
               so
               great
               a
               guilt
               as
               I
               have
               done
               .
               Here
               then
               he
               layes
               a
               great
               Argument
               against
               himself
               ,
               on
               the
               supposition
               before
               laid
               down
               .
               If
               none
               ,
               the
               Holiest
               ,
               the
               humblest
               ,
               the
               most
               believing
               soul
               ,
               can
               
                 abide
                 the
                 tryal
                 ,
                 can
                 endure
              
               ;
               how
               much
               less
               can
               I
               ,
               who
               am
               the
               
                 chiefest
                 of
                 sinners
              
               ,
               the
               least
               of
               Saints
               ,
               who
               come
               unspeakably
               
                 behind
                 them
              
               in
               holiness
               ,
               and
               have
               equally
               
                 gone
                 beyond
              
               them
               in
               sin
               ?
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               sense
               and
               importance
               of
               the
               words
               ;
               Let
               us
               now
               consider
               how
               they
               are
               expressive
               of
               the
               actings
               of
               the
               soul
               whose
               state
               and
               condition
               is
               here
               represented
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               what
               directions
               they
               will
               afford
               unto
               us
               ,
               to
               give
               unto
               them
               who
               are
               fallen
               into
               the
               same
               state
               .
            
             
               
               
                 
                   What
                   first
                   presents
                   it self
                   to
                   a
                   soul
                   in
                   distress
                   on
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   This
                   opened
                   in
                   four
                   Propositions
                   .
                   Thoughts
                   of
                   Gods
                   marking
                   sin
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   tenor
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   full
                   of
                   dread
                   and
                   terror
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 What
                 depths
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 was
                 in
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 ;
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 Resolution
                 he
                 takes
                 upon
                 himself
                 to
                 
                   seek
                   to
                   God
                   alone
                
                 for
                 relief
                 and
                 recovery
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 also
                 shewed
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 earnestness
                 in
                 general
                 he
                 useth
                 therein
                 ;
                 Addressing
                 himself
                 unto
                 God
                 
                   in
                   that
                   frame
                
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 purpose
                 and
                 resolution
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 he
                 fixeth
                 on
                 in
                 particular
                 is
                 the
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   his
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 guilt
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 It
                 appears
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   In
                   a
                   sin
                   perplexed
                   souls
                   addresses
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   first
                   thing
                   that
                   presents
                   it self
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   is
                   Gods
                   marking
                   sin
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   tenor
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 The
                 case
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 with
                 
                   all
                   sorts
                
                 of
                 sinners
                 ;
                 whether
                 before
                 conversion
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 relapses
                 and
                 entanglements
                 after
                 conversion
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 proportion
                 between
                 Conversion
                 and
                 Recoveries
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 both
                 wrought
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 means
                 and
                 wayes
                 ;
                 and
                 have
                 both
                 the
                 same
                 effects
                 upon
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 although
                 in
                 sundry
                 things
                 they
                 differ
                 ,
                 not
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 is
                 spoken
                 on
                 this
                 he●d
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 applyed
                 unto
                 both
                 sorts
                 ;
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 yet
                 unconverted
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 really
                 delivered
                 from
                 their
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ;
                 but
                 especially
                 unto
                 those
                 who
                 
                   know
                   not
                   whether
                   state
                   they
                   belong
                   unto
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 guilty
                 souls
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 will
                 put
                 in
                 its
                 claim
                 to
                 all
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 condemn
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 try
                 what
                 it
                 can
                 do
                 against
                 the
                 sinner
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 shaking
                 of
                 it
                 off
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 fairly
                 answered
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 will
                 prevail
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 issues
                 out
                 an
                 arrest
                 for
                 the
                 debt
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 to
                 bid
                 the
                 Serjeant
                 be
                 gone
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 entreat
                 him
                 to
                 spare
                 .
                 If
                 payment
                 be
                 not
                 procured
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 acquittance
                 produced
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 must
                 to
                 prison
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 going
                 unto
                 God
                 saith
                 the
                 soul.
                 He
                 is
                 great
                 and
                 terrible
                 ,
                 a
                 marker
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 This
                 makes
                 him
                 tremble
                 ,
                 and
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 O
                 Lord
                 
                   who
                   shall
                   stand
                
                 ?
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 appears
                 hence
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Serious
                   thoughts
                   of
                   Gods
                   marking
                   sin
                   according
                   to
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   tenor
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   thing
                   full
                   of
                   dread
                   and
                   terror
                   to
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   a
                   sinner
                   .
                
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 all
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 this
                 amazement
                 ,
                 
                   crying
                   out
                   only
                   who
                   can
                   stand
                   ?
                
                 there
                 is
                 included
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 a
                 through
                 sincere
                 Acknowledgement
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 guilt
                 thereof
                 .
                 Mentioning
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 
                   own
                   case
                
                 ,
                 he
                 acknowledgeth
                 
                   his
                   own
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 ,
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   Sincere
                   sense
                   and
                   Acknowledgement
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   with
                   self-condemnation
                   in
                   the
                   Justification
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   first
                   peculiar
                   especial
                   working
                   of
                   a
                   gracious
                   soul
                   rising
                   out
                   of
                   its
                   entanglements
                   .
                
                 All
                 this
                 is
                 included
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 .
                 He
                 acknowledgeth
                 both
                 his
                 own
                 guilt
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 demerit
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 these
                 things
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 absolutely
                 considered
                 ;
                 But
                 the
                 
                   state
                   of
                   the
                   soul
                
                 here
                 represented
                 ,
                 carries
                 us
                 on
                 farther
                 .
                 He
                 rests
                 not
                 here
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 Verse
                 ,
                 the
                 chief
                 thing
                 aimed
                 at
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 a
                 transition
                 from
                 the
                 one
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 still
                 carry
                 on
                 the
                 
                   general
                   design
                
                 at
                 the
                 entrance
                 laid
                 down
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 along
                 with
                 us
                 this
                 farther
                 observation
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 
                   Though
                   self-condemnation
                   be
                   an
                   eminent
                   preparation
                   for
                   the
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                   yet
                   a
                   poor
                   distressed
                   soul
                   is
                   not
                   to
                   rest
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   nor
                   to
                   rest
                   upon
                   it
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   pass
                   on
                   to
                   the
                   embracing
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   it self
                   .
                
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 yet
                 a
                 general
                 proposition
                 lying
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 in
                 our
                 passage
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   Gods
                   marking
                   of
                   iniquities
                   ,
                   and
                   mans
                   salvation
                   are
                   everlastingly
                   inconsistent
                   .
                
                 I
                 mean
                 his
                 marking
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 
                   persons
                   of
                   the
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 ends
                 before
                 mentioned
                 .
              
               
                 Of
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 I
                 shall
                 farther
                 treat
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 the
                 handling
                 of
                 them
                 conduceth
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 in
                 hand
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 begin
                 withal
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 first
                 laid
                 down
                 about
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 
                   serious
                   thoughts
                
                 concerning
                 Gods
                 
                   marking
                   sin
                
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 which
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thing
                
                 that
                 presents
                 it self
                 unto
                 a
                 sin
                 entangled
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 addresses
                 unto
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 this
                 shall
                 not
                 pass
                 alone
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 draw
                 the
                 two
                 first
                 Observations
                 into
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 which
                 will
                 express
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 
                 absolutely
                 considered
                 .
                 The
                 third
                 and
                 fourth
                 will
                 lead
                 us
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 progress
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 towards
                 the
                 relief
                 sought
                 after
                 ,
                 and
                 proposed
                 .
                 That
                 therefore
                 which
                 first
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 comes
                 up
                 to
                 this
                 Proposition
                 .
                 
                   In
                   a
                   sin
                   perplexed
                   souls
                   addresses
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   first
                   thing
                   that
                   presents
                   it self
                   unto
                   him
                   is
                   ,
                   Gods
                   marking
                   of
                   sin
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Tenor
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   which
                   of
                   its
                   self
                   is
                   apt
                   to
                   fill
                   the
                   soul
                   with
                   dread
                   and
                   terror
                   .
                
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 first
                 somewhat
                 speak
                 unto
                 it
                 in
                 This
                 ;
                 as
                 considering
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 enquire
                 into
                 the
                 concernment
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   whose
                   condition
                
                 is
                 here
                 described
                 .
              
               
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 speaks
                 of
                 some
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 
                   hear
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   the
                   curse
                   ,
                   yet
                   bless
                   themselves
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   they
                   shall
                   have
                   peace
                
                 ;
                 Deut.
                 29.
                 19.
                 
                 Let
                 men
                 preach
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 what
                 they
                 please
                 of
                 the
                 terror
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 despise
                 it
                 ;
                 which
                 God
                 threatens
                 with
                 
                   utter
                   extermination
                
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 notes
                 it
                 again
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 amazing
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 obdurateness
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 36.
                 24.
                 
                 Generally
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 with
                 Gaal
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 
                   Ebed
                   ,
                   Judg.
                
                 9.
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 fortifying
                 of
                 Sichem
                 against
                 Abimelech
                 ;
                 Zebul
                 tells
                 him
                 that
                 Abimelech
                 will
                 come
                 and
                 destroy
                 him
                 .
                 Let
                 him
                 come
                 saith
                 Gaal
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 deal
                 well
                 enough
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 bring
                 forth
                 his
                 Army
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 him
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 upon
                 the
                 very
                 first
                 appearance
                 of
                 Abimelech's
                 Army
                 ,
                 he
                 trembleth
                 for
                 fear
                 ,
                 v.
                 36.
                 
                 Tell
                 obdurate
                 sinners
                 of
                 the
                 
                   wrath
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 to
                 plead
                 his
                 cause
                 against
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 they
                 take
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 what
                 you
                 say
                 ;
                 nor
                 have
                 any
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 about
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 go
                 on
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 resolved
                 they
                 should
                 deal
                 well
                 enough
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Notwithstanding
                 all
                 their
                 stoutness
                 ,
                 a
                 day
                 is
                 coming
                 wherein
                 fearfulness
                 shall
                 surprise
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   amongst
                   us
                   shall
                   dwell
                   with
                   devouring
                   fire
                   ,
                   who
                   amongst
                   us
                   shall
                   inhabit
                   with
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   ?
                
                 Yea
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 pleased
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 to
                 draw
                 nigh
                 to
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 quickly
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 
                   hearts
                   cannot
                   endure
                   ,
                   nor
                   can
                   their
                   hands
                   be
                   strong
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 22.
                 14.
                 
                 Their
                 hands
                 hang
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 stout
                 hearts
                 tremble
                 like
                 an
                 aspen
                 leaf
                 .
              
               
               
                 He
                 who
                 
                   first
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 first
                 occasion
                 to
                 have
                 
                   serious
                   thoughts
                   about
                   Gods
                   marking
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 gives
                 us
                 a
                 notable
                 instance
                 of
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 assirmed
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 first
                 in
                 every
                 kind
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 follows
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 
                   kind
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   He
                   heard
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 so
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 before
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 trouble
                 or
                 consternation
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 He
                 was
                 made
                 for
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 
                   hear
                   his
                   voice
                
                 was
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 blessedness
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   heard
                   thy
                   voice
                   and
                   was
                   afraid
                   ,
                   and
                   hid
                   my self
                   .
                
                 He
                 knew
                 that
                 God
                 was
                 coming
                 in
                 the
                 
                   inquest
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 meeting
                 him
                 ;
                 could
                 he
                 have
                 gone
                 into
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 from
                 whence
                 he
                 was
                 taken
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 been
                 there
                 hid
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 failed
                 to
                 have
                 attempted
                 it
                 .
                 Things
                 are
                 now
                 altered
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 in
                 that
                 God
                 whom
                 he
                 loved
                 before
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   good
                   ,
                   holy
                   ,
                   powerful
                
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 Creator
                 ,
                 Preserver
                 ,
                 Benefactor
                 and
                 Rewarder
                 ,
                 he
                 saw
                 nothing
                 now
                 ,
                 but
                 wrath
                 ,
                 indignation
                 ,
                 vengeance
                 and
                 terror
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 him
                 tremble
                 out
                 those
                 dreadful
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   heard
                   thy
                   voice
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   afraid
                   ,
                   and
                   hid
                   my self
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 
                   giving
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 evinces
                 what
                 effects
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 Gods
                 proceeding
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 produce
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 20.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 
                   All
                   the
                   people
                   saw
                   the
                   thundrings
                   and
                   the
                   lightnings
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   the
                   trumpet
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Mountain
                   smoaking
                
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 also
                 describes
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 18.
                 
                 In
                 this
                 manner
                 came
                 forth
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 that
                 
                   fiery
                   Law
                   ,
                   Deut.
                
                 33.
                 2.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 all
                 who
                 were
                 concerned
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 did
                 exceedingly
                 
                   quake
                   and
                   tremble
                
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 all
                 this
                 respects
                 but
                 the
                 severity
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 application
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 any
                 soul
                 in
                 particular
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 solemnity
                 ,
                 that
                 carrieth
                 an
                 awe
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 preparation
                 of
                 an
                 Assize
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 and
                 held
                 by
                 poor
                 worms
                 like
                 our selves
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 dread
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 peculiar
                 to
                 the
                 Malefactors
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 tryal
                 and
                 execution
                 all
                 this
                 preparation
                 is
                 made
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 soul
                 comes
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 
                   dreadful
                   preparation
                
                 ,
                 this
                 appearance
                 of
                 terrible
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 these
                 streams
                 of
                 the
                 fiery
                 Law
                 are
                 all
                 pointed
                 towards
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 make
                 him
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   who
                   can
                   stand
                
                 ?
                 And
                 this
                 Law
                 is
                 still
                 in
                 force
                 towards
                 sinners
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 on
                 the
                 day
                 wherein
                 it
                 was
                 given
                 on
                 Mount
                 Sinai
                 .
                 
                 Though
                 Moses
                 grew
                 old
                 ,
                 yet
                 his
                 strength
                 never
                 failed
                 .
                 Nor
                 hath
                 his
                 Law
                 ,
                 the
                 Law
                 given
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 lost
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 its
                 strength
                 ,
                 power
                 ,
                 or
                 Authority
                 towards
                 sinners
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 still
                 accompanied
                 with
                 thundrings
                 and
                 lightnings
                 as
                 of
                 old
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 fail
                 to
                 represent
                 the
                 
                   terror
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 to
                 a
                 guilty
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 Among
                 the
                 Saints
                 themselves
                 I
                 could
                 produce
                 instances
                 to
                 manifest
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 found
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 thus
                 .
                 The
                 cases
                 of
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   David
                   ,
                   Heman
                
                 are
                 known
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 consider
                 it
                 in
                 Christ
                 himself
                 .
                 From
                 himself
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 occasion
                 of
                 any
                 discouraging
                 thought
                 ;
                 being
                 
                   holy
                   ,
                   harmless
                   ,
                   undefiled
                
                 .
                 He
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 did
                 his
                 Fathers
                 will
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 abode
                 in
                 his
                 Love.
                 This
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 attended
                 with
                 the
                 
                   highest
                   peace
                
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 blessed
                 Joy.
                 In
                 the
                 very
                 entrance
                 of
                 his
                 tryals
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 
                   full
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 a
                 comfortable
                 issue
                 and
                 success
                 ;
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 50.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 when
                 his
                 soul
                 was
                 exercised
                 with
                 thoughts
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                   marking
                   our
                   iniquities
                
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 
                   sorrowful
                   unto
                   the
                   death
                
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 
                   amazed
                   and
                   very
                   heavy
                
                 ,
                 Mark
                 14.
                 33.
                 
                 His
                 Agony
                 ,
                 his
                 bloody
                 sweat
                 ,
                 his
                 strong
                 cryes
                 and
                 supplications
                 ,
                 his
                 reiterated
                 prayers
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   it
                   be
                   possible
                   let
                   this
                   cup
                   pass
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                
                 his
                 last
                 dreadful
                 cry
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   why
                   hast
                   thou
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ,
                
                 all
                 manifest
                 what
                 apprehensions
                 he
                 had
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 it
                 was
                 for
                 
                   God
                   to
                   mark
                   iniquities
                
                 .
                 Well
                 may
                 poor
                 sinners
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   who
                   shall
                   stand
                
                 ?
                 when
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 so
                 trembled
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   marking
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 represented
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 under
                 all
                 those
                 glorious
                 terrible
                 
                   Attributes
                   and
                   Excellencies
                
                 which
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 beget
                 a
                 dread
                 and
                 terror
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 relief
                 from
                 any
                 Covenant
                 engagements
                 in
                 Christ.
                 The
                 soul
                 looks
                 upon
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 
                   Law-giver
                   ,
                   James
                
                 4.
                 12.
                 able
                 to
                 revenge
                 the
                 breach
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 destroying
                 
                   body
                   and
                   soul
                   in
                   Hell
                   fire
                
                 ;
                 as
                 one
                 terrible
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   purer
                   eyes
                   than
                   to
                   behold
                   iniquity
                
                 ;
                 So
                 also
                 in
                 Greatness
                 and
                 in
                 power
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   Living
                   God
                
                 ,
                 into
                 whose
                 
                   hands
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   fearful
                   thing
                   to
                   fall
                
                 ;
                 as
                 attended
                 with
                 vindictive
                 Justice
                 ,
                 saying
                 
                   Vengean●e
                   is
                   mine
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   recompence
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 30.
                 
                 Now
                 for
                 a
                 soul
                 to
                 consider
                 God
                 ,
                 cloathed
                 with
                 all
                 these
                 dreadful
                 and
                 terrible
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 coming
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 sinners
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 his
                 fiery
                 Law
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 but
                 make
                 him
                 cry
                 out
                 
                 with
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   I
                   exceedingly
                   quake
                   and
                   tremble
                   .
                
              
               
                 These
                 things
                 work
                 on
                 their
                 minds
                 the
                 conclusion
                 mentioned
                 before
                 ,
                 as
                 asserted
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Gods
                   marking
                   of
                   sin
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   tenor
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   and
                   mans
                   salvation
                   ,
                   are
                   utterly
                   inconsistent
                
                 ;
                 a
                 conclusion
                 ,
                 that
                 must
                 needs
                 shake
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 when
                 pressed
                 under
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 guilt
                 .
              
               
                 
                 When
                 a
                 Person
                 who
                 is
                 really
                 guilty
                 ,
                 and
                 knows
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 guilty
                 ,
                 is
                 brought
                 unto
                 his
                 tryal
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 but
                 these
                 
                   four
                   grounds
                
                 of
                 hope
                 that
                 his
                 safety
                 and
                 his
                 tryal
                 may
                 be
                 consistent
                 .
                 He
                 may
                 think
                 that
                 either
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 The
                 Judge
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 find
                 out
                 ,
                 or
                 discover
                 his
                 crimes
                 ;
                 or
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 That
                 some
                 one
                 will
                 powerfully
                 intercede
                 for
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 Judge
                 :
                 or
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 That
                 the
                 
                   Rule
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 strict
                 as
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 his
                 miscarriages
                 ;
                 or
                 (
                 4.
                 )
                 That
                 the
                 penalty
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 severe
                 but
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 escape
                 .
                 Cut
                 him
                 short
                 of
                 his
                 expectations
                 from
                 some
                 ,
                 one
                 ,
                 or
                 all
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 hopes
                 must
                 of
                 necessity
                 perish
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 is
                 it
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ?
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Of
                 the
                 Judge
                 we
                 have
                 spoken
                 somewhat
                 already
                 .
                 The
                 present
                 enquiry
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 any
                 thing
                 may
                 be
                 
                   hid
                   from
                   him
                
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 a
                 door
                 of
                 escape
                 be
                 opened
                 to
                 a
                 sinner
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 tels
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   open
                   and
                   naked
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 12.
                 and
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 
                   is
                   not
                   a
                   thought
                   in
                   our
                   hearts
                   ,
                   nor
                   a
                   word
                   in
                   our
                   tongue
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   understandeth
                   it
                   asar
                   off
                   ,
                   and
                   knoweth
                   it
                   altogether
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 139.
                 2
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 What
                 the
                 sinner
                 knows
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 
                   cause
                   him
                   to
                   fear
                
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 knows
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 he
                 knows
                 not
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   deserves
                   his
                   fear
                
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 knows
                 also
                 ;
                 
                   for
                   he
                   is
                   greater
                   than
                   our
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   knoweth
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 3.
                 20.
                 
                 When
                 God
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 set
                 in
                 order
                 before
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   secret
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 retains
                 some
                 remembrance
                 of
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 brings
                 to
                 mind
                 and
                 represents
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 world
                 of
                 filth
                 and
                 folly
                 ,
                 which
                 either
                 he
                 never
                 took
                 any
                 real
                 notice
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 hath
                 utterly
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 trouble
                 him
                 ,
                 yea
                 confound
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 But
                 may
                 not
                 this
                 Judge
                 be
                 intreated
                 to
                 pass
                 by
                 what
                 he
                 knows
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 deal
                 favourably
                 with
                 the
                 sinner
                 ?
                 May
                 not
                 
                   an
                   Intercessor
                
                 be
                 obtained
                 to
                 plead
                 in
                 the
                 behalf
                 of
                 the
                 guilty
                 soul
                 ?
                 Eli
                 determines
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 1
                 Sam.
                 2.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   If
                   one
                   man
                   sin
                
                 
                 
                   against
                   another
                   ,
                   the
                   Judge
                   shall
                   judge
                   him
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   a
                   man
                   sin
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   intreat
                   for
                   him
                   ?
                
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 ,
                 saith
                 Job
                 between
                 us
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 one
                 that
                 might
                 argue
                 the
                 case
                 ,
                 in
                 pleading
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 make
                 up
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 
                   laying
                   his
                   hand
                   upon
                   us
                   both
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 9.
                 33.
                 
                 We
                 now
                 consider
                 a
                 sinner
                 purely
                 under
                 the
                 Administration
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 which
                 knows
                 nothing
                 of
                 a
                 Mediator
                 .
                 In
                 that
                 case
                 who
                 shall
                 take
                 upon
                 him
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 the
                 sinner
                 ?
                 Besides
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   creatures
                
                 in
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 are
                 engaged
                 in
                 the
                 quarrel
                 of
                 God
                 against
                 sinners
                 ;
                 and
                 besides
                 the
                 greatness
                 and
                 terror
                 of
                 his
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 certainly
                 deterr
                 all
                 or
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 from
                 undertaking
                 any
                 such
                 work
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 request
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 must
                 be
                 put
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 Holy
                 ,
                 leave
                 off
                 from
                 being
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 relinquish
                 his
                 Throne
                 ,
                 deny
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Rebell
                 ,
                 a
                 Traytor
                 ,
                 his
                 cursed
                 enemy
                 may
                 live
                 and
                 escape
                 his
                 Justice
                 :
                 Is
                 this
                 request
                 reasonable
                 ?
                 Is
                 he
                 fit
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 sinners
                 that
                 shall
                 make
                 it
                 ?
                 Would
                 he
                 not
                 by
                 so
                 doing
                 prove
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 The
                 sinner
                 cannot
                 then
                 expect
                 any
                 door
                 of
                 escape
                 to
                 be
                 opened
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 All
                 the
                 world
                 is
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 case
                 must
                 be
                 tryed
                 out
                 nakedly
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 him
                 :
                 but
                 ,
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 
                   Rule
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 whereby
                 the
                 sinner
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 tryed
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 strict
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 
                   such
                   sins
                
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 admit
                 of
                 a
                 favourable
                 Interpretation
                 ;
                 or
                 that
                 the
                 good
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 laid
                 in
                 the
                 ballance
                 against
                 his
                 Evil
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 some
                 relief
                 be
                 obtained
                 that
                 way
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 matter
                 is
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 
                   good
                   Action
                
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 perfectly
                 good
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 ballance
                 with
                 ,
                 or
                 compensate
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 sin
                 committed
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 good
                 is
                 due
                 on
                 another
                 account
                 ,
                 though
                 no
                 guilt
                 were
                 incurred
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 payment
                 of
                 money
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 owes
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 borrowed
                 ,
                 makes
                 no
                 satisfaction
                 for
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 stole
                 ;
                 no
                 more
                 will
                 our
                 duties
                 compensate
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 good
                 Action
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 hath
                 evil
                 and
                 guilt
                 enough
                 attending
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 render
                 it self
                 unacceptable
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 men
                 may
                 well
                 cease
                 from
                 thoughts
                 of
                 their
                 supererrogation
                 .
                 Besides
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 
                   one
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 if
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 might
                 be
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 person
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 indispensible
                 
                 order
                 of
                 our
                 dependance
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 nothing
                 of
                 that
                 good
                 could
                 come
                 into
                 consideration
                 ,
                 until
                 the
                 
                   guilt
                   of
                   that
                   sin
                
                 were
                 answered
                 for
                 unto
                 the
                 utmost
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 penalty
                 of
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 
                   eternal
                   ruine
                
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 
                   supposed
                   good
                
                 can
                 stand
                 him
                 in
                 little
                 stead
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 Law
                 it self
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 issue
                 of
                 the
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 evil
                 ,
                 so
                 great
                 or
                 small
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 forb
                 dden
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 condemned
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 Hereupon
                 David
                 so
                 states
                 this
                 whole
                 matter
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 143.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Enter
                   not
                   into
                   Judgement
                   with
                   thy
                   servant
                   ,
                   for
                   in
                   thy
                   sight
                   shall
                   no
                   man
                   living
                   be
                   justified
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 things
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 tryed
                 out
                 and
                 determined
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 no
                 sinner
                 can
                 obtain
                 acquitment
                 ;
                 as
                 Paul
                 declares
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 that
                 place
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 20.
                 
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 16.
                 but
                 yet
                 ,
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 
                   sentence
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 
                   fierce
                   and
                   dreadful
                
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 though
                 guilt
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 yet
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 escape
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Law
                 speaks
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 
                   on
                   this
                   side
                   death
                
                 to
                 an
                 offendor
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 greatness
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 Eternity
                 of
                 wrath
                 in
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 God
                 himself
                 who
                 hath
                 undertaken
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 vengeance
                 of
                 it
                 executed
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 on
                 all
                 these
                 accounts
                 the
                 conclusion
                 mentioned
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 fixed
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 entertains
                 thoughts
                 of
                 drawing
                 nigh
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Though
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 of
                 
                   general
                   use
                
                 unto
                 sinners
                 of
                 all
                 sorts
                 ,
                 whether
                 called
                 home
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 yet
                 strangers
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 insist
                 upon
                 any
                 
                   general
                   improvement
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 intended
                 only
                 for
                 one
                 special
                 end
                 or
                 purpose
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thoughts
                
                 that
                 arise
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 poor
                 intangled
                 soul
                 ,
                 when
                 first
                 he
                 begins
                 to
                 endeavour
                 a
                 recovery
                 in
                 a
                 returnal
                 unto
                 God.
                 The
                 Law
                 immediately
                 puts
                 in
                 its
                 claim
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 represented
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 angry
                 ,
                 displeased
                 ,
                 provoked
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 terror
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 besets
                 him
                 round
                 about
                 .
                 This
                 fills
                 him
                 with
                 
                   fear
                   ,
                   shame
                
                 ,
                 and
                 confusion
                 of
                 face
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 knows
                 not
                 what
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 These
                 troubles
                 are
                 greater
                 or
                 lesser
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 God
                 seeth
                 it
                 best
                 for
                 the
                 poor
                 creatures
                 
                   present
                   humiliation
                
                 ,
                 and
                 future
                 safety
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 doth
                 the
                 sinner
                 ?
                 What
                 are
                 his
                 thoughts
                 hereupon
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 think
                 to
                 
                   fly
                   from
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 over
                 all
                 endeavours
                 
                 of
                 recovery
                 ?
                 Doth
                 he
                 say
                 this
                 God
                 is
                 an
                 
                   holy
                   and
                   terrible
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   cannot
                   serve
                   him
                   ,
                
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 any
                 thing
                 but
                 fury
                 and
                 destruction
                 from
                 hira
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 had
                 as
                 good
                 give
                 over
                 ,
                 as
                 persist
                 in
                 my
                 desing
                 of
                 drawing
                 nigh
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 denyed
                 but
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 
                   thoughts
                   of
                   this
                   nature
                
                 will
                 be
                 suggested
                 by
                 unbelief
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 sometimes
                 great
                 perplexities
                 arise
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 issue
                 and
                 final
                 product
                 of
                 this
                 exercise
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 it
                 produceth
                 another
                 effect
                 ;
                 it
                 calls
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   particular
                   working
                
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 arising
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 sin
                 intanglements
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 declared
                 ;
                 
                   a
                   sincere
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   acknowledgement
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   with
                   self
                   condemnation
                   in
                   the
                   justification
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thing
                
                 that
                 a
                 soul
                 endeavouring
                 a
                 recovery
                 from
                 its
                 depths
                 is
                 brought
                 and
                 wrought
                 unto
                 .
                 His
                 general
                 resolution
                 to
                 make
                 serious
                 and
                 through
                 work
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 was
                 before
                 unfolded
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 we
                 are
                 directed
                 unto
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Reflection
                 on
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                   marking
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 now
                 mentioned
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 Faiths
                 great
                 and
                 proper
                 
                   use
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 The
                 nature
                 whereof
                 shall
                 be
                 farther
                 opened
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 discourse
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   The
                   first
                   particular
                   actings
                   of
                   a
                   soul
                   towards
                   a
                   recovery
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   depths
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   Sense
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   wherein
                   it
                   consists
                   .
                   How
                   it
                   is
                   wrought
                   .
                   Acknowledgement
                   of
                   sin
                   ;
                   its
                   nature
                   and
                   properties
                   .
                   Self-condemnation
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 
                   frame
                   of
                   the
                   soul
                   in
                   general
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 excited
                 by
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 resolves
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 thereof
                 to
                 attempt
                 a
                 
                   recovery
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   depths
                   of
                   sin
                   entanglements
                   ,
                
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 also
                 shewed
                 what
                 entertainment
                 in
                 general
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 expect
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 ordinarily
                 shall
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 meet
                 withall
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 he
                 goes
                 forth
                 at
                 first
                 like
                 Sampson
                 with
                 his
                 locks
                 cut
                 ,
                 and
                 thinks
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 as
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 quickly
                 finds
                 ,
                 his
                 peace
                 lost
                 ,
                 his
                 wounds
                 painful
                 ,
                 his
                 Conscience
                 restless
                 ,
                 God
                 displeased
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 whole
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 his
                 
                   own
                   Apprehension
                
                 ,
                 hazardous
                 .
                 This
                 fills
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 expressed
                 in
                 this
                 
                   third
                   Verse
                
                 ,
                 and
                 fixes
                 the
                 conclusion
                 in
                 his
                 
                 mind
                 ,
                 discoursed
                 of
                 before
                 .
                 He
                 finds
                 now
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 Law
                 afresh
                 to
                 deal
                 withal
                 .
                 Thence
                 ariseth
                 that
                 sense
                 and
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 self-condemnation
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Justification
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whereof
                 we
                 now
                 speak
                 .
                 He
                 grows
                 not
                 sullen
                 ,
                 stubborn
                 ,
                 displeased
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 runs
                 away
                 from
                 God
                 ;
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 
                   utterly
                   saint
                
                 ,
                 despond
                 and
                 give
                 over
                 ;
                 he
                 pleads
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Justification
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 the
                 extenuation
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 and
                 guilt
                 ;
                 he
                 quarrelleth
                 not
                 with
                 ,
                 he
                 repineth
                 not
                 against
                 the
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Severity
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 reflects
                 wholly
                 on
                 himself
                 ,
                 his
                 own
                 unworthiness
                 ,
                 guilt
                 and
                 desert
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 sence
                 of
                 them
                 lyes
                 down
                 at
                 the
                 foot
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 expectation
                 of
                 his
                 word
                 and
                 sentence
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Three
                 things
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 we
                 ascribe
                 unto
                 such
                 a
                 soul.
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   sincere
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 
                   twofold
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 The
                 one
                 is
                 general
                 and
                 notional
                 ,
                 whereby
                 a
                 man
                 knows
                 
                   what
                   sin
                   is
                
                 ,
                 that
                 himself
                 is
                 a
                 sinner
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 ,
                 these
                 or
                 those
                 sins
                 ;
                 only
                 his
                 heart
                 is
                 not
                 affected
                 proportionably
                 to
                 that
                 discovery
                 and
                 knowledge
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 is
                 active
                 and
                 efficacious
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 being
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 with
                 its
                 
                   own
                   guilt
                
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 sin
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 as
                 also
                 to
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 universally
                 influenced
                 by
                 that
                 apprehension
                 unto
                 suitable
                 Affections
                 and
                 Operations
                 .
              
               
                 Of
                 both
                 these
                 we
                 have
                 an
                 instance
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 person
                 .
                 David
                 before
                 Nathans
                 coming
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 had
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 afterwards
                 he
                 had
                 the
                 latter
                 also
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 imagined
                 but
                 that
                 before
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 
                   general
                   knowledge
                
                 and
                 sense
                 not
                 only
                 absolutely
                 of
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   himself
                   was
                   a
                   sinner
                
                 ,
                 and
                 guilty
                 of
                 those
                 very
                 sins
                 which
                 afterwards
                 he
                 was
                 reproved
                 for
                 .
                 To
                 think
                 otherwise
                 is
                 to
                 suppose
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 un-sainted
                 ,
                 but
                 un-manned
                 also
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 Beast
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 this
                 wrought
                 not
                 in
                 him
                 any
                 
                   one
                   Affection
                
                 suitable
                 to
                 his
                 condition
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 like
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 of
                 most
                 sinners
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 when
                 Nathan
                 comes
                 to
                 him
                 and
                 gives
                 him
                 the
                 latter
                 
                   efficacious
                   sense
                
                 whereof
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 what
                 effects
                 it
                 did
                 produce
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 latter
                 only
                 that
                 is
                 under
                 consideration
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 also
                 is
                 twofold
                 :
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Legal
                 or
                 Antecedaneous
                 unto
                 conversion
                 ;
                 
                 (
                 2
                 )
                 Evangelical
                 ,
                 and
                 previous
                 to
                 the
                 
                   recovery
                   from
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 whereof
                 we
                 treat
                 .
                 How
                 these
                 two
                 differ
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 discerned
                 one
                 from
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 being
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 kind
                 sincere
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 my
                 business
                 to
                 declare
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Now
                 this
                 tast
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 assign
                 as
                 the
                 
                   first
                   duty
                
                 ,
                 work
                 ,
                 or
                 acting
                 of
                 a
                 returning
                 soul
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   a
                   deep
                   and
                   practical
                   apprehension
                   wrought
                   in
                   the
                   mind
                   and
                   heart
                   of
                   a
                   believing
                   sinner
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   its
                   evils
                   ,
                   in
                   reference
                   unto
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   and
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   Cross
                   ,
                   and
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   the
                   communion
                   and
                   consolation
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   fruits
                   of
                   Love
                   ,
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   or
                   Grace
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   hath
                   been
                   made
                   partaker
                   of
                   ,
                   or
                   on
                   Gospel
                   grounds
                   .
                   hoped
                   for
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   principal
                   efficient
                   cause
                
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 .
                 He
                 it
                 is
                 who
                 
                   convinceth
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 John
                 16.
                 8.
                 
                 He
                 works
                 indeed
                 by
                 means
                 .
                 He
                 wrought
                 it
                 in
                 David
                 by
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 Nathan
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 wrought
                 it
                 in
                 Peter
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 look
                 of
                 Christ.
                 But
                 his
                 work
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 work
                 it
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 soul.
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 spring
                 out
                 of
                 mens
                 rational
                 considerations
                 .
                 Though
                 men
                 may
                 exercise
                 their
                 thoughts
                 about
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 would
                 think
                 were
                 enough
                 to
                 break
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 stones
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 put
                 not
                 forth
                 a
                 
                   peculiar
                   efficacy
                
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 this
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 wrought
                 or
                 produced
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 waters
                 at
                 the
                 Pool
                 of
                 Bethesda
                 were
                 not
                 troubled
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 an
                 Angel
                 descended
                 and
                 moved
                 them
                 ;
                 no
                 more
                 will
                 the
                 Heart
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 saving
                 elapse
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 
                   deep
                   Apprehension
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 evils
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Sleight
                 transient
                 thoughts
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 amount
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 speak
                 .
                 
                   My
                   sorrow
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   is
                   continually
                   before
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 38.
                 17.
                 
                 It
                 pressed
                 him
                 alwayes
                 and
                 greatly
                 .
                 Hence
                 he
                 compares
                 this
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 wrought
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   arrows
                   that
                   stick
                   in
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 pain
                 sorely
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 alwayes
                 perplexing
                 .
                 Sin
                 in
                 this
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 layes
                 hold
                 on
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 sinner
                 cannot
                 
                   look
                   up
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 40.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 abides
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 making
                 
                   his
                   sore
                   run
                   in
                   the
                   night
                   without
                   ceasing
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 77.
                 2.
                 and
                 depriveth
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 rest
                 ;
                 
                   my
                   soul
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   refused
                   to
                   be
                   comforted
                
                 .
                 This
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 lyes
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 rises
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 
                   Transient
                   thoughts
                
                 
                 attended
                 with
                 infrequent
                 sighs
                 and
                 ejaculations
                 ,
                 little
                 become
                 a
                 returning
                 soul.
                 And
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 Practical
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 seated
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 speculative
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 hovering
                 in
                 general
                 notions
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 dwel's
                 in
                 the
                 
                   practical
                   understanding
                
                 ,
                 which
                 effectually
                 influenceth
                 the
                 Will
                 and
                 Affections
                 .
                 Such
                 an
                 Apprehension
                 as
                 from
                 which
                 
                   sorrow
                   and
                   humiliation
                
                 are
                 inseparable
                 .
                 The
                 acts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   practical
                   understanding
                
                 ,
                 do
                 so
                 necessarily
                 produce
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 them
                 suitable
                 acts
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 and
                 Affections
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 have
                 concluded
                 that
                 those
                 are
                 indeed
                 proper
                 acts
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 usually
                 ascribed
                 to
                 the
                 Understanding
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 
                   so
                   in
                   the
                   mind
                
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 whole
                 soul
                 is
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 mould
                 and
                 likeness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 self-abhorrency
                 ,
                 do
                 live
                 and
                 dye
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 It
                 hath
                 in
                 the
                 
                   first
                   place
                
                 ,
                 respect
                 unto
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God.
                 There
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 due
                 consideration
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Law
                 hath
                 not
                 its
                 place
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 calls
                 for
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 willingly
                 gives
                 up
                 his
                 sin
                 to
                 be
                 judged
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 There
                 he
                 sees
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 
                   exceeding
                   sinful
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 17.
                 
                 Though
                 a
                 Believer
                 be
                 
                   less
                   under
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 knows
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 Authority
                 and
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 than
                 others
                 .
                 He
                 sees
                 more
                 of
                 its
                 spirituality
                 and
                 holiness
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 more
                 a
                 man
                 sees
                 of
                 the
                 
                   excellency
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 he
                 sees
                 of
                 the
                 
                   vileness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 first
                 endeavour
                 for
                 a
                 recovery
                 from
                 the
                 entanglements
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 He
                 labours
                 throughly
                 to
                 
                   know
                   his
                   disease
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 cured
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 do
                 him
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 he
                 knows
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 his
                 distemper
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 danger
                 .
                 He
                 knows
                 that
                 if
                 his
                 wounds
                 be
                 not
                 searched
                 to
                 the
                 bottom
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 
                   stink
                   and
                   be
                   corrupt
                
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 Law
                 then
                 he
                 brings
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 sin
                 .
                 By
                 that
                 ,
                 he
                 sees
                 the
                 vileness
                 of
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 Most
                 men
                 lye
                 still
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 would
                 willingly
                 escape
                 the
                 
                   first
                   step
                
                 of
                 their
                 rising
                 .
                 From
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 their
                 misery
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 fain
                 at
                 once
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 their
                 felicity
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 managed
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 doth
                 not
                 so
                 .
                 He
                 converseth
                 with
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 brings
                 his
                 sin
                 unto
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 fully
                 hears
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 sin
                 is
                 throughly
                 condemned
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 farther
                 takes
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 .
                 As
                 ever
                 you
                 desire
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 rest
                 ,
                 avoid
                 not
                 this
                 
                 entrance
                 of
                 your
                 passage
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Weigh
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 attend
                 unto
                 what
                 the
                 Law
                 speaks
                 of
                 your
                 sin
                 and
                 its
                 desert
                 ,
                 or
                 you
                 will
                 never
                 make
                 a
                 due
                 application
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 As
                 ever
                 you
                 would
                 have
                 your
                 
                   souls
                   justified
                
                 by
                 Grace
                 ,
                 take
                 care
                 to
                 have
                 
                   your
                   sins
                   judged
                   by
                   the
                   Law.
                   
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 respect
                 in
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 this
                 
                   breaks
                   the
                   heart
                
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 returning
                 sinner
                 .
                 Sorrow
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   ,
                   shuts
                
                 it self
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 strangleth
                 it
                 .
                 Sorrow
                 from
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 opens
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 causseth
                 it
                 to
                 flow
                 forth
                 .
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 sinning
                 against
                 the
                 
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 managed
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 what
                 shall
                 I
                 say
                 ?
                 their
                 effects
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 expressed
                 .
                 This
                 made
                 Ezra
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   my
                   God
                   I
                   blush
                   and
                   am
                   ashamed
                   to
                   lift
                   up
                   my
                   face
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 9.
                 6.
                 and
                 v.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   we
                   say
                   after
                   this
                   ?
                
                 After
                 what
                 ?
                 why
                 all
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 love
                 and
                 kindness
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 .
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 love
                 and
                 sin
                 laid
                 together
                 ,
                 make
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   blush
                   ,
                   mourn
                
                 ,
                 be
                 ashamed
                 and
                 confounded
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 .
                 So
                 Ezek.
                 36.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   shall
                   you
                   remember
                   your
                   own
                   evil
                   wayes
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   doings
                   that
                   were
                   not
                   good
                
                 ;
                 When
                 shall
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 ?
                 when
                 thoughts
                 and
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 love
                 shall
                 be
                 brought
                 home
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 then
                 
                   shall
                   you
                   loath
                   your selves
                   in
                   your
                   own
                   sight
                   .
                
                 The
                 soul
                 now
                 calls
                 to
                 mind
                 ,
                 what
                 Love
                 ,
                 what
                 kindness
                 ,
                 what
                 mercy
                 ,
                 what
                 grace
                 ,
                 what
                 patience
                 hath
                 been
                 exercised
                 towards
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 whereof
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 made
                 partaker
                 .
                 The
                 thoughts
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 now
                 come
                 in
                 upon
                 him
                 as
                 streams
                 of
                 water
                 .
                 Such
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 such
                 Communion
                 ,
                 such
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 such
                 hopes
                 of
                 Glory
                 ,
                 such
                 tastes
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 such
                 Peace
                 ,
                 such
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 such
                 Joy
                 ,
                 such
                 Communications
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 all
                 to
                 a
                 poor
                 ,
                 wretched
                 ,
                 cursed
                 ,
                 lost
                 ,
                 forlorn
                 sinner
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 despised
                 ,
                 neglected
                 ,
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 provoked
                 ,
                 forsaken
                 .
                 Ah
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 
                   Whither
                   shall
                   I
                   cause
                   my
                   sorrow
                   to
                   go
                   ?
                
                 This
                 fills
                 him
                 with
                 shame
                 and
                 confusion
                 of
                 face
                 ;
                 makes
                 him
                 mourn
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 and
                 sigh
                 to
                 the
                 breaking
                 of
                 the
                 loyns
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 ,
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   blood
                   and
                   Cross
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 is
                 also
                 brought
                 to
                 remembrance
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 Ah
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 have
                 I
                 thus
                 requited
                 the
                 wonderful
                 astonishing
                 
                   Love
                   of
                   my
                   Redeemer
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 return
                 ,
                 the
                 requital
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 made
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 Are
                 not
                 Heaven
                 
                 and
                 Earth
                 astonished
                 at
                 the
                 despising
                 of
                 that
                 Love
                 ,
                 at
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 astonished
                 ?
                 This
                 brake
                 Peters
                 heart
                 upon
                 the
                 look
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Such
                 words
                 as
                 these
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 will
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 ,
                 sound
                 in
                 the
                 ears
                 of
                 the
                 soul.
                 
                   Did
                   I
                   love
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   leave
                   my
                   glory
                   to
                   become
                   a
                   scorn
                   and
                   reproach
                   for
                   thy
                   sake
                   ?
                   Did
                   I
                   not
                   think
                   my
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   that
                   was
                   dear
                   unto
                   me
                   too
                   good
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   save
                   thee
                   from
                   the
                   wrath
                   to
                   come
                   ?
                   Have
                   I
                   been
                   a
                   Wilderness
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   or
                   a
                   land
                   of
                   darkness
                   ?
                   What
                   could
                   I
                   have
                   done
                   more
                   for
                   thee
                   ;
                   when
                   I
                   had
                   nothing
                   left
                   but
                   my
                   life
                   ,
                   blood
                   and
                   soul
                   ,
                   they
                   went
                   all
                   for
                   thee
                   that
                   thou
                   mightest
                   live
                   by
                   my
                   death
                   ,
                   be
                   washed
                   in
                   my
                   blood
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   saved
                   through
                   my
                   souls
                   being
                   made
                   an
                   offering
                   for
                   thee
                   ?
                   And
                   hast
                   thou
                   thus
                   requited
                   my
                   love
                   ?
                   to
                   prefer
                   a
                   lust
                   before
                   me
                   ,
                   the
                   world
                   before
                   me
                   ,
                   or
                   by
                   meer
                   sloth
                   and
                   folly
                   to
                   be
                   turned
                   away
                   from
                   me
                   ;
                   go
                   unkind
                   and
                   unthankful
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   see
                   if
                   thou
                   canst
                   find
                   another
                   Redeemer
                
                 :
                 This
                 overwhelms
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 even
                 drowns
                 it
                 in
                 tears
                 and
                 sorrow
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 the
                 bitterness
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 mind
                 .
                 
                   They
                   look
                   on
                   him
                   whom
                   they
                   have
                   pierced
                   and
                   mourn
                   ,
                
                 Zech.
                 12.
                 10.
                 
                 They
                 remember
                 his
                 gall
                 and
                 wormwood
                 ;
                 his
                 cryes
                 and
                 tears
                 ;
                 his
                 agony
                 and
                 sweat
                 ,
                 his
                 desertion
                 and
                 anguish
                 ;
                 his
                 blood
                 and
                 death
                 ;
                 the
                 sharpness
                 of
                 the
                 Sword
                 that
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 the
                 Cup
                 that
                 was
                 put
                 into
                 his
                 hand
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 soul
                 now
                 looks
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   bleeding
                   ,
                   dying
                   ,
                   wrestling
                
                 with
                 wrath
                 and
                 curse
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 seeth
                 his
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 streams
                 of
                 blood
                 that
                 issued
                 from
                 his
                 side
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 encreaseth
                 that
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 whereof
                 we
                 speak
                 .
                 Also
                 ,
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 It
                 relates
                 to
                 the
                 
                   communion
                   and
                   consolations
                
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 and
                 fruits
                 of
                 Love
                 we
                 are
                 by
                 him
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 .
                 The
                 Spirit
                 is
                 given
                 to
                 Believers
                 upon
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 
                   dwell
                   in
                   them
                
                 .
                 He
                 takes
                 up
                 their
                 hearts
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 
                   dwelling
                   place
                
                 ;
                 to
                 what
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 ?
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 
                   purifie
                   and
                   sanctifie
                   them
                
                 ,
                 make
                 them
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 dedicate
                 them
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 to
                 furnish
                 them
                 with
                 Graces
                 and
                 gifts
                 ,
                 to
                 interest
                 them
                 in
                 priviledges
                 ;
                 to
                 guide
                 ,
                 lead
                 ,
                 direct
                 ,
                 comfort
                 them
                 ;
                 to
                 seal
                 them
                 unto
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Redemption
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 Spirit
                 is
                 
                   grieved
                   by
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 30.
                 and
                 his
                 
                   dwelling
                   place
                   defiled
                   thereby
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 19.
                 and
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 Thoughts
                 hereof
                 greatly
                 sharpen
                 the
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 a
                 recovering
                 soul.
                 He
                 considers
                 ,
                 what
                 Light
                 ,
                 what
                 Love
                 ,
                 what
                 Joy
                 ,
                 what
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 
                 what
                 Priviledges
                 it
                 hath
                 by
                 him
                 been
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 ;
                 what
                 motions
                 ,
                 warnings
                 ,
                 workings
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 found
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 sayes
                 within
                 it self
                 ;
                 
                   What
                   have
                   I
                   done
                   ,
                   whom
                   have
                   I
                   grieved
                   ,
                   whom
                   have
                   I
                   provoked
                   ;
                   what
                   if
                   the
                   Lord
                   should
                   now
                   for
                   my
                   folly
                   and
                   ingratitude
                   utterly
                   take
                   his
                   holy
                   Spirit
                   from
                   me
                   ?
                   What
                   if
                   I
                   should
                   have
                   so
                   grieved
                   him
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   dwell
                   in
                   me
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   delight
                   in
                   me
                   no
                   more
                   ?
                   What
                   dismal
                   darkness
                   and
                   disconsolation
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   what
                   utter
                   ruine
                   should
                   I
                   be
                   left
                   unto
                   ?
                   However
                   ,
                   what
                   shame
                   and
                   confusion
                   of
                   face
                   belongs
                   to
                   me
                   for
                   my
                   wretched
                   disingenuity
                   ,
                   and
                   ingratitude
                   towards
                   him
                   ?
                
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thing
                
                 that
                 appears
                 in
                 the
                 returning
                 souls
                 actings
                 and
                 frame
                 ;
                 a
                 
                   sincere
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 on
                 the
                 accounts
                 mentioned
                 wrought
                 in
                 it
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 depths
                 described
                 ,
                 must
                 come
                 unto
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 it
                 expect
                 or
                 look
                 for
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 recovery
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 such
                 persons
                 expect
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 renewed
                 sense
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 revived
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 From
                 hence
                 proceedeth
                 an
                 ingenious
                 ,
                 free
                 ,
                 gracious
                 
                   Acknowledgement
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 Men
                 may
                 have
                 a
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 suffer
                 it
                 to
                 lye
                 burning
                 as
                 a
                 fire
                 shut
                 up
                 in
                 their
                 bones
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 continual
                 disquietment
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 come
                 off
                 unto
                 a
                 
                   free
                   soul
                   opening
                
                 acknowledgement
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 confession
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 and
                 mention
                 therein
                 of
                 that
                 
                   very
                   sin
                
                 wherewith
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 most
                 intangled
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 soul
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 a
                 due
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 Duty
                 .
                 Consider
                 how
                 the
                 case
                 stood
                 with
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Psal.
                
                 32.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   When
                   I
                   kept
                   silence
                   ,
                   my
                   bones
                   waxed
                   old
                   through
                   my
                   roaring
                   all
                   the
                   day
                   long
                   .
                
                 How
                 could
                 
                   David
                   keep
                   silence
                
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 roar
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 silence
                 which
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 roaring
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 meer
                 negation
                 of
                 that
                 duty
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 expressed
                 ,
                 v.
                 5.
                 that
                 is
                 intended
                 .
                 
                   I
                   acknowledge
                   my
                   sins
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   mine
                   iniquities
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   hid
                   .
                
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 a
                 silence
                 of
                 submission
                 and
                 waiting
                 on
                 God
                 that
                 he
                 intends
                 .
                 That
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 produced
                 a
                 wasting
                 of
                 his
                 spiritual
                 strength
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 complains
                 ,
                 this
                 silence
                 did
                 ;
                 
                   My
                   bones
                   waxed
                   old
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 yet
                 was
                 it
                 a
                 
                   sullen
                   ,
                   stubborn
                
                 and
                 contumacious
                 frame
                 that
                 was
                 upon
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 notes
                 ,
                 saith
                 Calvin
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 he
                 sayes
                 well
                 )
                 
                   affectum
                   qui
                   medius
                   est
                   inter
                   tolerantiam
                   &
                   contumaciam
                   ,
                   vitio
                   &
                   vertuti
                   affinis
                   ;
                   An
                   affection
                   between
                   patience
                   and
                   stubborness
                   bordering
                   on
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   one
                   and
                   other
                
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 deep
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 this
                 disquieted
                 and
                 perplexed
                 him
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 calls
                 his
                 roaring
                 ;
                 It
                 weakned
                 and
                 wearied
                 him
                 ,
                 making
                 his
                 
                   bones
                   wax
                   old
                
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 strength
                 decay
                 ;
                 yet
                 was
                 he
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 bring
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 that
                 ingenious
                 gracious
                 acknowledgement
                 ,
                 which
                 like
                 the
                 launcing
                 of
                 a
                 festered
                 wound
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 given
                 at
                 least
                 some
                 ease
                 to
                 his
                 soul.
                 
                   Gods
                   children
                
                 are
                 oft-times
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 like
                 ours
                 .
                 Though
                 they
                 are
                 convinced
                 of
                 a
                 fault
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 really
                 troubled
                 at
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 will
                 hardly
                 acknowledge
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 do
                 they
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 go
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 ,
                 sigh
                 and
                 mourn
                 ,
                 
                   roar
                   all
                   the
                   day
                   long
                
                 ;
                 but
                 an
                 evil
                 and
                 untoward
                 frame
                 of
                 spirit
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 unbelief
                 and
                 fear
                 ,
                 keeps
                 them
                 from
                 this
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 that
                 this
                 acknowledgement
                 may
                 be
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 God
                 it
                 is
                 required
                 ,
                 First
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 free
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 full
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 must
                 be
                 free
                 and
                 spiritually
                 ingenious
                 .
                 
                   Cain
                   ,
                   Pharaoh
                   ,
                   Ahab
                   ,
                   Judas
                   ,
                
                 came
                 all
                 to
                 an
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 whether
                 they
                 would
                 or
                 no.
                 It
                 was
                 pressed
                 out
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 flow
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 confession
                 of
                 a
                 person
                 under
                 the
                 convincing
                 terrors
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 dread
                 of
                 imminent
                 Judgements
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 Malefactors
                 on
                 the
                 rack
                 ;
                 who
                 speak
                 out
                 that
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 themselves
                 and
                 friends
                 must
                 dye
                 .
                 What
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 fruit
                 of
                 force
                 and
                 torture
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 any
                 ingenuity
                 of
                 mind
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 with
                 meerly
                 convinced
                 persons
                 .
                 They
                 come
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 acknowledgment
                 of
                 sin
                 with
                 any
                 more
                 freedom
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Reason
                 is
                 because
                 all
                 sin
                 hath
                 shame
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 men
                 to
                 be
                 
                   free
                   unto
                   shame
                
                 ,
                 is
                 naturally
                 impossible
                 ,
                 shame
                 being
                 natures
                 
                   shrinking
                   from
                   it self
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 posture
                 it
                 would
                 appear
                 in
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 the
                 
                   returning
                   soul
                
                 ,
                 hath
                 never
                 more
                 freedom
                 ,
                 liberty
                 and
                 amplitude
                 of
                 spirit
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 whereof
                 he
                 is
                 most
                 ashamed
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 evidence
                 that
                 it
                 proceeds
                 from
                 that
                 spirit
                 which
                 is
                 attended
                 with
                 liberty
                 ,
                 for
                 where
                 
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   liberty
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 When
                 David
                 was
                 delivered
                 from
                 his
                 silence
                 ,
                 he
                 expresseth
                 this
                 frame
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 Duty
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 32.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   I
                   acknowledged
                   my
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   mine
                   iniquities
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   hid
                   ;
                   I
                   said
                   I
                   will
                   confess
                   my
                   transgression
                   .
                
                 His
                 mouth
                 is
                 now
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 heart
                 inlarged
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 multiplies
                 one
                 expression
                 
                 upon
                 another
                 ,
                 to
                 manifest
                 his
                 enlargement
                 .
                 So
                 doth
                 a
                 soul
                 rising
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 depths
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 beginning
                 of
                 his
                 address
                 unto
                 God.
                 Having
                 the
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 before
                 described
                 wrought
                 in
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 his
                 heart
                 is
                 made
                 free
                 and
                 inlarged
                 unto
                 an
                 
                   ingenious
                   acknowledgement
                
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 before
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Herein
                 he
                 pours
                 out
                 his
                 soul
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 not
                 more
                 freedom
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 dealing
                 about
                 that
                 ,
                 whereof
                 he
                 is
                 most
                 ashamed
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Full
                 also
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 .
                 Reserves
                 ruine
                 confession
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 soul
                 have
                 any
                 secret
                 thought
                 of
                 
                   rolling
                   a
                   sweet
                   morsel
                   under
                   its
                   tongue
                   ,
                
                 of
                 a
                 bow
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Rimmon
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 like
                 
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   price
                   kept
                   back
                   ,
                
                 which
                 makes
                 the
                 whole
                 robbery
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 an
                 offering
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 remaining
                 a
                 
                   bitter
                   root
                
                 of
                 favouring
                 any
                 one
                 lust
                 or
                 sin
                 ,
                 of
                 any
                 occasion
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 temptation
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 let
                 a
                 man
                 be
                 as
                 open
                 ,
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 earnest
                 as
                 can
                 be
                 imagined
                 in
                 the
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 sins
                 and
                 evils
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   duty
                
                 is
                 rendered
                 abominable
                 .
                 Some
                 persons
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 depths
                 and
                 anguish
                 about
                 any
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 thereon
                 forced
                 to
                 the
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 they
                 are
                 little
                 concerned
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 other
                 follies
                 and
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 are
                 no
                 less
                 provoking
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 is
                 from
                 whence
                 their
                 present
                 trouble
                 doth
                 arise
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 James
                 speaks
                 in
                 another
                 case
                 ,
                 
                   such
                   a
                   man
                   think
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   receive
                   any
                   thing
                   from
                   God.
                
                 It
                 must
                 be
                 full
                 and
                 comprehensive
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 free
                 and
                 ingenious
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 of
                 such
                 importance
                 is
                 the
                 right
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   promise
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 is
                 oft-times
                 peculiarly
                 annexed
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 certainly
                 carries
                 along
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 duties
                 which
                 make
                 up
                 a
                 full
                 returnal
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 28.
                 13.
                 1
                 
                 John
                 1.
                 9.
                 and
                 that
                 place
                 in
                 Job
                 is
                 remarkable
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 33.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 
                   He
                   looketh
                   upon
                   men
                   ,
                   and
                   if
                   any
                   say
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   ,
                   and
                   perverted
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   right
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   profited
                   me
                   not
                   ;
                   He
                   will
                   deliver
                   his
                   soul
                   from
                   going
                   into
                   the
                   pit
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   life
                   shall
                   see
                   the
                   light
                   .
                
                 He
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 consolation
                 also
                 ,
                 and
                 joy
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 Gods
                 countenance
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 There
                 yet
                 remains
                 ,
                 
                   self-condemnation
                   with
                   the
                   Justification
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 which
                 lyes
                 expresly
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Verse
                 under
                 consideration
                 ,
                 and
                 hereof
                 are
                 two
                 parts
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Self-abhorrency
                 or
                 dislike
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 is
                 now
                 
                   wholly
                   displeased
                
                 with
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 reflects
                 upon
                 it self
                 with
                 all
                 affections
                 of
                 regret
                 and
                 trouble
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 declares
                 it
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 with
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 when
                 their
                 
                   godly
                   sorrow
                
                 was
                 working
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 11.
                 among
                 other
                 things
                 ,
                 it
                 wrought
                 in
                 them
                 
                   indignation
                   and
                   revenge
                
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 reflection
                 on
                 themselves
                 with
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 dislike
                 and
                 abhorrency
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 winding
                 up
                 of
                 the
                 Controversie
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 Job
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 point
                 he
                 rests
                 in
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 had
                 come
                 in
                 general
                 to
                 a
                 
                   free
                   ,
                   full
                
                 ,
                 ingenious
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 40.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 So
                 in
                 particular
                 he
                 gives
                 up
                 his
                 whole
                 contest
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 
                   abhorrency
                   of
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 42.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   I
                   abhor
                   my self
                   and
                   repent
                   in
                   dust
                   and
                   ashes
                   .
                
                 What
                 a
                 vile
                 wretched
                 creature
                 have
                 I
                 been
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 I
                 blush
                 and
                 am
                 ashamed
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 my
                 folly
                 ,
                 baseness
                 and
                 ingratitude
                 ;
                 is
                 it
                 possible
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 deal
                 thus
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 I
                 abhorr
                 ,
                 I
                 loath
                 my self
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 fly
                 any
                 where
                 from
                 my self
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 vile
                 and
                 loathsome
                 ;
                 a
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 despised
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men
                 ;
                 and
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 self-judging
                 in
                 it
                 also
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 invites
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 unto
                 ,
                 1
                 Ep.
                 Chap.
                 11.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   If
                   we
                   would
                   judge
                   our selves
                   we
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   judged
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 persons
                 pronouncing
                 sentence
                 on
                 himself
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 The
                 soul
                 brings
                 not
                 only
                 its
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 self
                 also
                 to
                 the
                 Law.
                 It
                 puts
                 it self
                 as
                 to
                 merit
                 and
                 desert
                 under
                 the
                 stroke
                 and
                 severity
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 ariseth
                 a
                 full
                 justification
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 sentence
                 soever
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 pronounce
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 
                   three
                   things
                
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 passed
                 through
                 ,
                 compose
                 the
                 frame
                 and
                 first
                 actings
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 ,
                 rising
                 from
                 its
                 depths
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 signally
                 expressed
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 where
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 signal
                 recovery
                 exemplified
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 14.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 makes
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 
                   exaltation
                   of
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 thing
                 in
                 all
                 this
                 dispensation
                 aimed
                 at
                 by
                 God.
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 doing
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 bring
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 
                   glory
                   in
                   him
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 31.
                 which
                 is
                 all
                 the
                 return
                 he
                 hath
                 
                 from
                 his
                 large
                 and
                 infinitely
                 bountiful
                 expence
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 .
                 Now
                 nothing
                 can
                 render
                 Grace
                 conspicuous
                 and
                 glorious
                 ,
                 until
                 the
                 soul
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 frame
                 .
                 Grace
                 will
                 not
                 seem
                 high
                 ,
                 until
                 the
                 soul
                 be
                 laid
                 very
                 low
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 also
                 suits
                 or
                 prepares
                 the
                 soul
                 for
                 the
                 
                   receiving
                   of
                   mercy
                
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 thing
                 aimed
                 at
                 on
                 the
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 prepares
                 it
                 for
                 
                   every
                   duty
                
                 that
                 is
                 incumbent
                 on
                 him
                 in
                 that
                 condition
                 wherein
                 he
                 is
                 .
                 This
                 brings
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 waiting
                 with
                 diligence
                 and
                 patience
                 .
                 If
                 things
                 presently
                 answer
                 not
                 our
                 expectation
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 what
                 we
                 can
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 better
                 we
                 must
                 bear
                 it
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 able
                 ;
                 which
                 frame
                 God
                 abhors
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 frame
                 is
                 contented
                 to
                 wait
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 the
                 Psalm
                 ?
                 Oh
                 saith
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 ;
                 
                   if
                   ever
                   I
                   obtain
                
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 if
                 
                   ever
                   I
                   enjoy
                
                 one
                 smile
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 more
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 unspeakable
                 Grace
                 .
                 Let
                 him
                 take
                 his
                 own
                 time
                 ,
                 his
                 own
                 season
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 me
                 quietly
                 to
                 wait
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 hope
                 for
                 his
                 salvation
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 puts
                 the
                 soul
                 on
                 prayer
                 ;
                 yea
                 a
                 soul
                 alwayes
                 in
                 this
                 frame
                 ,
                 
                   prayes
                   alwayes
                
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 more
                 evident
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 through
                 engagement
                 into
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 these
                 duties
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 cause
                 why
                 so
                 few
                 come
                 
                   clear
                   off
                   from
                   their
                   entanglements
                
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 .
                 Men
                 heal
                 their
                 wounds
                 slightly
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 after
                 a
                 new
                 painful
                 festering
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 condition
                 of
                 restlesness
                 and
                 trouble
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 before
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Grounds
                   of
                   miscarriages
                   when
                   persons
                   are
                   convinced
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   humbled
                   .
                   Resting
                   in
                   that
                   state
                   .
                   Resting
                   on
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 The
                 soul
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 left
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 before
                 described
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 other
                 work
                 for
                 it
                 to
                 apply
                 it self
                 unto
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 intend
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 Rest
                 and
                 peace
                 .
                 It
                 hath
                 obtained
                 an
                 eminent
                 advantage
                 for
                 the
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 
                   rest
                   in
                   that
                   state
                
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 
                   rest
                   upon
                   it
                
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 bring
                 it
                 into
                 its
                 harbour
                 .
                 Three
                 things
                 we
                 discovered
                 before
                 in
                 the
                 souls
                 first
                 serious
                 address
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 deliverance
                 ;
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   acknowledgement
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   self-condemnation
                   .
                   Two
                   evils
                
                 there
                 are
                 which
                 attend
                 men
                 oftentimes
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 that
                 state
                 .
                 Some
                 
                   rest
                   in
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 press
                 no
                 farther
                 ;
                 some
                 
                   rest
                   upon
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 suppose
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 which
                 is
                 required
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 The
                 Psalmist
                 avoids
                 both
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 his
                 pressures
                 reacheth
                 out
                 towards
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 verse
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 unfold
                 these
                 
                   two
                   evils
                
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 their
                 avoidance
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   By
                   resting
                   or
                   staying
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                
                 I
                 mean
                 the
                 souls
                 desponding
                 through
                 discouraging
                 thoughts
                 that
                 deliverance
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 .
                 Being
                 made
                 deeply
                 sensible
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 overwhelmed
                 with
                 thoughts
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 vileness
                 and
                 unworthiness
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 sink
                 under
                 the
                 burden
                 ;
                 Such
                 a
                 soul
                 is
                 
                   afflicted
                   and
                   tossed
                   with
                   tempests
                   and
                   not
                   comforted
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 54.
                 11.
                 until
                 it
                 is
                 quite
                 weary
                 .
                 As
                 a
                 Ship
                 in
                 a
                 storm
                 at
                 Sea
                 ;
                 when
                 all
                 means
                 of
                 contending
                 are
                 gone
                 ,
                 men
                 give
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 driven
                 and
                 tossed
                 by
                 the
                 Winds
                 and
                 Seas
                 at
                 their
                 pleasure
                 .
                 This
                 brought
                 Israel
                 to
                 that
                 state
                 wherein
                 he
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   way
                   is
                   hid
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   judgement
                   is
                   passed
                   over
                   from
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 27.
                 and
                 Zion
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Lord
                   hath
                   forgotten
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 49.
                 14.
                 
                 The
                 soul
                 begins
                 secretly
                 to
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 ;
                 God
                 regardeth
                 it
                 not
                 ;
                 it
                 shall
                 one
                 day
                 perish
                 ,
                 relief
                 is
                 far
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 trouble
                 nigh
                 at
                 hand
                 .
                 These
                 thoughts
                 do
                 so
                 oppress
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 they
                 
                   forsake
                   not
                   God
                   utterly
                
                 to
                 their
                 destruction
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 draw
                 not
                 nigh
                 unto
                 him
                 effectually
                 to
                 their
                 consolation
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   evil
                
                 that
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 is
                 enabled
                 
                 to
                 avoid
                 .
                 We
                 know
                 how
                 God
                 rebukes
                 it
                 in
                 Sion
                 .
                 Sion
                 
                   said
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Lord
                   hath
                   forgotten
                   me
                   ,
                   Isaiah
                
                 49.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 how
                 foolish
                 is
                 Sion
                 ,
                 how
                 froward
                 ,
                 how
                 unbelieving
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 what
                 ground
                 hath
                 she
                 for
                 such
                 sinful
                 despondencies
                 ,
                 such
                 discouraging
                 conclusions
                 ?
                 
                   Can
                   a
                   woman
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   forget
                   her
                   sucking
                   child
                   ,
                   that
                   she
                   should
                   not
                   have
                   compassion
                   on
                   the
                   son
                   of
                   her
                   womb
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   they
                   may
                   forget
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   forget
                   thee
                   .
                
                 The
                 like
                 reproof
                 he
                 gives
                 to
                 Jacob
                 upon
                 the
                 like
                 complaint
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 40.
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 is
                 more
                 provoking
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 nor
                 more
                 disadvantagious
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 than
                 such
                 sinful
                 despondency
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 insensibly
                 weakens
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 disenables
                 it
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 present
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 future
                 endeavours
                 .
                 Hence
                 ,
                 some
                 poor
                 creatures
                 mourn
                 ,
                 and
                 even
                 pine
                 away
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 ,
                 never
                 getting
                 one
                 step
                 beyond
                 a
                 perplexing
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 .
                 Some
                 have
                 dwelt
                 so
                 long
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 so
                 intangled
                 themselves
                 with
                 a
                 
                   multitude
                   of
                   perplexed
                   thoughts
                
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 length
                 their
                 natural
                 faculties
                 have
                 been
                 weakned
                 ,
                 and
                 rendred
                 utterly
                 useless
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 lost
                 both
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 every
                 thing
                 else
                 .
                 Against
                 some
                 ,
                 Satan
                 hath
                 taken
                 advantage
                 to
                 cast
                 in
                 so
                 many
                 
                   intangling
                   objections
                
                 into
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 whole
                 time
                 hath
                 been
                 taken
                 up
                 in
                 proposing
                 doubts
                 and
                 objections
                 against
                 themselves
                 ;
                 with
                 these
                 they
                 have
                 gone
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 ,
                 to
                 one
                 and
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 never
                 able
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 
                   a
                   consistency
                
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 spent
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 in
                 a
                 fruitless
                 ,
                 sapless
                 ,
                 withering
                 comfortless
                 condition
                 .
                 Some
                 with
                 whom
                 things
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 better
                 issue
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 brought
                 to
                 that
                 
                   discomposure
                   of
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 so
                 filled
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 apprehensions
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 most
                 proper
                 to
                 their
                 condition
                 are
                 spoken
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 take
                 
                   no
                   impression
                
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 weakned
                 by
                 dwelling
                 too
                 long
                 on
                 these
                 considerations
                 ;
                 until
                 some
                 cry
                 with
                 those
                 in
                 Ezek.
                 33.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Our
                   sins
                   are
                   upon
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   pine
                   away
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   should
                   we
                   then
                   live
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   frame
                
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 abides
                 ,
                 by
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 will
                 insensibly
                 give
                 countenance
                 unto
                 
                   hard
                   thoughts
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 repining
                 ,
                 and
                 weariness
                 in
                 waiting
                 on
                 him
                 .
                 At
                 first
                 the
                 soul
                 
                 neither
                 apprehends
                 nor
                 fears
                 any
                 such
                 issue
                 .
                 It
                 supposeth
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 condemn
                 and
                 abhorr
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 justifie
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 relief
                 comes
                 not
                 in
                 ,
                 this
                 resolution
                 begins
                 to
                 weaken
                 .
                 Secret
                 thoughts
                 arise
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 austere
                 ,
                 inexorable
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 dealt
                 withall
                 .
                 This
                 sometimes
                 casts
                 forth
                 such
                 complaints
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 bring
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 
                   new
                   complaints
                
                 ,
                 before
                 it
                 comes
                 to
                 have
                 an
                 issue
                 of
                 its
                 tryals
                 .
                 Here
                 ,
                 in
                 humiliations
                 antecedaneous
                 to
                 conversion
                 ,
                 many
                 a
                 convinced
                 person
                 perisheth
                 .
                 They
                 cannot
                 
                   wait
                   Gods
                   season
                
                 ,
                 and
                 perish
                 under
                 their
                 impatience
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 themselves
                 have
                 been
                 overtaken
                 withal
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 and
                 tryals
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 many
                 examples
                 and
                 instances
                 .
                 Delight
                 and
                 Expectation
                 are
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 our
                 abiding
                 with
                 God.
                 Both
                 these
                 are
                 weakned
                 by
                 a
                 conquering
                 prevailing
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 without
                 some
                 relief
                 from
                 the
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 
                   our
                   perplexed
                   soul
                
                 stayes
                 not
                 here
                 ,
                 but
                 presseth
                 on
                 towards
                 that
                 discovery
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 
                   resting
                   on
                   this
                   frame
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 noxious
                 and
                 hurtful
                 also
                 .
                 Some
                 finding
                 this
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 with
                 those
                 other
                 things
                 that
                 attend
                 it
                 wrought
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 ,
                 begin
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 now
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 them
                 required
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 endeavour
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 life
                 ,
                 from
                 such
                 arguments
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 can
                 take
                 from
                 their
                 trouble
                 .
                 They
                 think
                 this
                 a
                 
                   ground
                   of
                   peace
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 
                   not
                   peace
                
                 .
                 Here
                 some
                 take
                 up
                 
                   before
                   conversion
                
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 proves
                 their
                 ruine
                 .
                 Because
                 they
                 are
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 troubled
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 burdened
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 think
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 well
                 with
                 them
                 :
                 But
                 were
                 not
                 
                   Cain
                   ,
                   Esau
                   ,
                   Saul
                   ,
                   Ahab
                   ,
                   Judas
                   ,
                
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 burdened
                 with
                 it
                 ?
                 Did
                 this
                 profit
                 them
                 ?
                 Did
                 it
                 interest
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 promises
                 ?
                 Did
                 not
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 overtake
                 them
                 notwithstanding
                 ?
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 with
                 many
                 daily
                 ,
                 they
                 think
                 their
                 conviction
                 is
                 conversion
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 their
                 
                   sins
                   are
                   pardoned
                
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   they
                   have
                   been
                   troubled
                
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 then
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 reject
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 doth
                 carefully
                 avoid
                 ;
                 so
                 to
                 satisfie
                 it self
                 with
                 its
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 a
                 ground
                 of
                 supportment
                 and
                 consolation
                 ,
                 being
                 thereby
                 kept
                 off
                 from
                 exercising
                 faith
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 ,
              
               
               
                 First
                 ,
                 A
                 fruit
                 of
                 self-righteousness
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 soul
                 to
                 place
                 the
                 spring
                 of
                 its
                 peace
                 or
                 comfort
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 in
                 self
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 justified
                 ,
                 but
                 glory
                 in
                 him
                 also
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 45.
                 25.
                 
                 Men
                 may
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 their
                 graces
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 as
                 mediums
                 to
                 a
                 farther
                 end
                 ;
                 not
                 as
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 deprives
                 mens
                 very
                 humiliations
                 of
                 all
                 
                   Gospel
                   humility
                
                 .
                 True
                 humility
                 consists
                 more
                 in
                 believing
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 being
                 sensible
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 That
                 's
                 the
                 souls
                 great
                 self-emptying
                 and
                 abasing
                 ;
                 this
                 may
                 consist
                 with
                 an
                 obstinate
                 resolution
                 to
                 scamble
                 for
                 something
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 self
                 endeavours
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Though
                 
                   Evangelical
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 be
                 a
                 Grace
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 
                   uniting
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 which
                 interests
                 us
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 not
                 that
                 which
                 peculiarly
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 exalts
                 him
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 natural
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 spiritual
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 spirituality
                 .
                 The
                 former
                 consists
                 in
                 
                   sorrow
                   ,
                   trouble
                
                 ,
                 self-abasement
                 ,
                 dejection
                 and
                 anxiety
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 passions
                 .
                 Of
                 these
                 I
                 may
                 say
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 of
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 joyous
                 but
                 grievous
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 accompanied
                 with
                 the
                 aversation
                 of
                 the
                 object
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 conversant
                 about
                 .
                 In
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 more
                 but
                 the
                 souls
                 retreat
                 into
                 it self
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 abhorrency
                 of
                 the
                 objects
                 of
                 its
                 sorrow
                 and
                 grief
                 .
                 When
                 these
                 Affections
                 
                   are
                   spiritualized
                
                 ,
                 their
                 nature
                 is
                 not
                 changed
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 acts
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 nature
                 ;
                 and
                 doth
                 by
                 them
                 as
                 such
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   retreat
                   into
                   it self
                
                 with
                 a
                 dislike
                 of
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 exercised
                 about
                 .
                 To
                 take
                 up
                 here
                 then
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 short
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 for
                 life
                 ,
                 or
                 consolation
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 mistake
                 .
                 There
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 
                   Evangelical
                   sense
                
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 Union
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Zech.
                 12.
                 10.
                 
                 Only
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 availing
                 .
                 Now
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 
                   rest
                   of
                   our
                   souls
                
                 :
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 end
                 or
                 purpose
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 short
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 lose
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 that
                 we
                 be
                 
                   prisoners
                   of
                   hope
                
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 
                   turn
                   to
                   our
                   strong
                   hold
                
                 ,
                 Zech.
                 9.
                 12.
                 not
                 enough
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 
                   weary
                   and
                   laden
                
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 
                   must
                   come
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 suffice
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 we
                 are
                 
                 weak
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 
                   hold
                   on
                   the
                   strength
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 27.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Indeed
                 pressing
                 after
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 life
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 Evangelical
                 humiliation
                 .
                 How
                 shall
                 a
                 man
                 know
                 that
                 his
                 humiliation
                 is
                 Evangelical
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 sorrow
                 is
                 according
                 to
                 God
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 from
                 hence
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 resolved
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 Cain
                 did
                 ,
                 who
                 cryed
                 his
                 
                   sin
                   was
                   greater
                   than
                   he
                   could
                   bear
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 departed
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 nor
                 as
                 Judas
                 did
                 ,
                 who
                 repented
                 ,
                 and
                 hanged
                 himself
                 ;
                 nor
                 as
                 Felix
                 did
                 ,
                 tremble
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 return
                 to
                 his
                 lusts
                 ;
                 nor
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 did
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   pine
                   away
                   under
                   his
                   iniquities
                   ,
                
                 because
                 of
                 vexation
                 of
                 heart
                 ;
                 nor
                 doth
                 he
                 divert
                 his
                 thoughts
                 to
                 
                   other
                   things
                
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 relieve
                 his
                 soul
                 in
                 his
                 trouble
                 ;
                 nor
                 fix
                 upon
                 a
                 
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   his
                   own
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 slothfully
                 lye
                 down
                 under
                 his
                 perplexity
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 plyes
                 himself
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 for
                 pardon
                 and
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 souls
                 Application
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 its
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 gives
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 far
                 then
                 have
                 we
                 accompanied
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   in
                   its
                   depths
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 looking
                 out
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 which
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 have
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 principal
                 matter
                 in
                 this
                 discourse
                 intended
                 ,
                 is
                 nextly
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               Verse
               4.
               
            
             
               
                 The
                 Words
                 explained
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 design
                 or
                 scope
                 of
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 in
                 them
                 discovered
                 .
              
            
             
               
               THe
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               making
               Application
               unto
               God
               in
               this
               Psalm
               is
               recounted
               ,
               v.
               1.
               
               It
               was
               in
               the
               depths
               ;
               not
               only
               
                 Providential
                 depths
              
               of
               Trouble
               ,
               Affliction
               ,
               and
               perplexities
               thereon
               ;
               but
               also
               
                 depths
                 of
                 conscience
              
               ,
               distress
               on
               the
               account
               of
               sin
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               those
               words
               hath
               been
               declared
               .
            
             
               The
               Application
               of
               this
               soul
               unto
               God
               ,
               with
               
                 restless
                 fervency
              
               and
               earnestness
               ,
               in
               that
               state
               and
               condition
               ;
               its
               consideration
               in
               the
               first
               place
               of
               the
               Law
               and
               the
               severity
               of
               Gods
               Justice
               in
               a
               proceedure
               thereon
               ;
               with
               the
               inevitable
               
                 ruine
                 of
                 all
                 sinners
              
               ,
               if
               God
               insist
               on
               that
               way
               of
               dealing
               with
               them
               ,
               have
               also
               been
               opened
               and
               manifested
               from
               the
               foregoing
               Verses
               .
            
             
               Being
               in
               this
               estate
               ,
               perplexed
               in
               its
               self
               ,
               lost
               in
               and
               under
               the
               consideration
               of
               Gods
               
                 marking
                 iniquity
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               ;
               that
               which
               it
               fixes
               on
               ,
               from
               whence
               any
               relief
               ,
               stay
               or
               supportment
               might
               be
               expected
               in
               such
               a
               condition
               ,
               is
               laid
               down
               in
               this
               Verse
               .
            
             
               
                 Ver.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 feared
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               shall
               first
               open
               the
               words
               as
               to
               their
               signisication
               and
               importance
               ;
               then
               shew
               the
               design
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               in
               them
               ,
               with
               reference
               to
               the
               soul
               whose
               condition
               is
               here
               represented
               ;
               and
               lastly
               propose
               the
               
                 general
                 Truths
              
               contained
               in
               them
               ,
               wherein
               all
               our
               concernments
               do
               lye
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               forgiveness
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               say
               the
               LXX
               .
               and
               Hierom
               accordingly
               Propitiatio
               ;
               propitiation
               :
               which
               is
               somewhat
               more
               than
               venia
               ,
               or
               pardon
               ,
               as
               by
               some
               it
               is
               rendred
               .
            
             
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 condonatio
                 ipsa
              
               ;
               
                 forgiveness
                 its
                 self
              
               .
               It
               is
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
               to
               spare
               ,
               to
               pardon
               ,
               to
               forgive
               ,
               to
               be
               propitious
               :
               and
               is
               opposed
               to
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               word
               composed
               of
               the
               same
               letters
               varied
               (
               which
               is
               common
               in
               that
               Language
               )
               signifying
               to
               
                 cut
                 off
              
               ,
               and
               destroy
               .
            
             
               Now
               it
               is
               constantly
               applyed
               unto
               Sin
               ,
               and
               expresseth
               every
               thing
               that
               concurrs
               to
               its
               pardon
               ,
               or
               forgiveness
               .
               As
               ,
            
             
               First
               ,
               It
               expresseth
               the
               Mind
               or
               Will
               of
               pardoning
               ,
               or
               Gods
               gracious
               readiness
               to
               forgive
               ,
               Psal.
               86.
               5.
               
               
                 Thou
                 Lord
                 art
                 good
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               and
               
                 ready
                 to
                 forgive
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 benign
                 and
                 meek
              
               ;
               or
               
                 sparing
                 ,
                 propitious
              
               .
               Of
               a
               gracious
               merciful
               heart
               and
               nature
               .
               So
               Nehem.
               9.
               17.
               
               Thou
               art
               O
               God
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               propitiationum
               ,
               of
               propitiations
               or
               pardons
               ;
               or
               as
               we
               have
               rendered
               it
               ,
               
                 ready
                 to
                 forgive
              
               ;
               a
               God
               of
               forgivenesses
               ;
               or
               all
               plenty
               of
               them
               is
               in
               thy
               gracious
               heart
               ,
               Isa.
               55.
               8.
               
               So
               that
               thou
               art
               alwayes
               ready
               to
               make
               out
               pardons
               to
               sinners
               .
               The
               word
               is
               used
               again
               Dan.
               9.
               9.
               to
               the
               same
               purpose
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               It
               regards
               the
               
                 act
                 of
                 pardoning
              
               ;
               or
               
                 actual
                 forgiveness
              
               it self
               ,
               Psal.
               103.
               3.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 who
                 forgiveth
              
               all
               thine
               iniquities
               ;
               actually
               dischargeth
               thee
               of
               them
               :
               which
               place
               the
               Apostle
               respecting
               renders
               the
               word
               by
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               Col.
               3.
               13.
               
               
                 Having
                 freely
                 forgiven
                 you
              
               (
               for
               so
               much
               the
               word
               imports
               )
               
                 all
                 your
                 trespasses
              
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               is
               the
               word
               that
               God
               useth
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               in
               that
               great
               Promise
               of
               Grace
               and
               Pardon
               ,
               Jer.
               31.
               34.
               
            
             
               It
               is
               warrantable
               for
               us
               ,
               yea
               necessary
               to
               take
               the
               word
               in
               the
               utmost
               extent
               of
               its
               signification
               and
               use
               .
               It
               is
               a
               word
               of
               favour
               ,
               and
               requires
               an
               interpretation
               tending
               towards
               the
               enlargement
               of
               it
               .
               We
               see
               it
               may
               be
               rendered
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               or
               propitiation
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               or
               Grace
               ;
               and
               venia
               or
               pardon
               ;
               and
               may
               denote
               these
               three
               things
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               The
               gracious
               ,
               tender
               ,
               merciful
               Heart
               and
               Will
               of
               God
               ;
               who
               is
               the
               
                 God
                 of
                 pardons
              
               and
               forgiveness
               ;
               or
               one
               ready
               to
               forgive
               ,
               to
               give
               out
               mercy
               ,
               to
               
                 add
                 to
                 pardor
              
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               A
               respect
               unto
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               the
               only
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               or
               propitiation
               for
               sin
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               expresly
               called
               ,
               Rom.
               3.
               25.
               1
               
               John
               2.
               2.
               
               And
               this
               is
               that
               which
               interposeth
               between
               the
               gracious
               heart
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               actual
               pardon
               of
               sinners
               :
               
                 All
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 founded
                 on
                 propitiation
                 .
              
            
             
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               It
               denotes
               condonation
               or
               
                 actual
                 forgiveness
              
               it self
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               made
               partakers
               of
               it
               ;
               comprizing
               it
               both
               actively
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               an
               Act
               of
               Grace
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               passively
               as
               terminated
               in
               our
               souls
               ,
               with
               the
               deliverance
               that
               attends
               it
               .
               In
               this
               sense
               as
               it
               looks
               downwards
               ,
               and
               in
               its
               effects
               respects
               us
               ,
               it
               is
               of
               meer
               Grace
               ;
               as
               it
               looks
               upwards
               to
               its
               causes
               and
               respects
               the
               Lord
               Christ
               ,
               it
               is
               from
               propitiation
               or
               attonement
               .
               And
               this
               is
               that
               pardon
               which
               is
               administred
               in
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               .
            
             
               Now
               as
               to
               the
               place
               which
               these
               words
               enjoy
               in
               this
               Psalm
               ,
               and
               their
               Relation
               to
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               here
               mentioned
               ,
               this
               seems
               to
               be
               their
               importance
               .
            
             
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 although
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 granted
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 mark
                 iniquities
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 every
                 man
                 living
                 must
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 for
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 even
                 I
                 who
                 am
                 in
                 the
                 depths
                 of
                 sin-entanglements
                 ,
                 may
                 find
                 acceptance
                 with
                 thee
                 ;
                 for
                 whilst
                 I
                 am
                 putting
                 my
                 mouth
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 if
                 so
                 be
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 hope
                 ;
                 I
                 find
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 Attonement
                 ,
                 a
                 propitiation
                 made
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 whereof
                 thou
                 sayest
                 thou
                 hast
                 found
                 a
                 Ransome
                 ,
                 and
                 wilt
                 not
                 deal
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 thee
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 severity
                 and
                 exigence
                 of
                 thy
                 Justice
                 ;
                 but
                 art
                 gracious
                 ,
                 loving
                 ,
                 tender
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 forgive
                 and
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 so
                 accordingly
              
               ;
               THERE
               IS
               FORGIVENESSE
               WITH
               THEE
               .
            
             
               The
               following
               words
               ,
               
                 therefore
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 feared
              
               ,
               or
               
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 feared
              
               ,
               though
               in
               the
               Original
               free
               from
               all
               Ambiguity
               ,
               yet
               are
               so
               signally
               varyed
               by
               Interpreters
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               not
               be
               amiss
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               it
               in
               our
               passage
               .
            
             
               The
               Targum
               hath
               it
               ,
               
                 that
                 thou
                 mayst
                 be
                 seen
              
               .
               This
               answers
               not
               the
               word
               ,
               but
               it
               doth
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               place
               well
               enough
               .
               God
               in
               his
               displeasure
               is
               said
               to
               
                 hide
                 himself
              
               ,
               or
               his
               face
               ,
               Isaiah
               8.
               17.
               
               The
               
                 Lord
                 hideth
                 his
                 face
                 from
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Jacob.
              
               By
               forgiveness
               we
               obtain
               again
               the
               light
               of
               his
               countenance
               .
               This
               dispels
               the
               darkness
               ,
               and
               clouds
               that
               are
               about
               him
               ;
               and
               gives
               us
               a
               comfortable
               prospect
               of
               his
               face
               and
               favour
               .
               
                 There
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 .
              
               Besides
               ,
               there
               is
               but
               
                 one
                 letter
              
               different
               in
               the
               Original
               words
               ;
               and
               that
               which
               is
               usually
               changed
               for
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               The
               LXX
               .
               render
               them
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 for
                 thy
                 names
                 sake
              
               ;
               or
               thy
               
                 own
                 sake
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               freely
               ,
               without
               any
               respect
               unto
               
               any
               thing
               in
               us
               .
               This
               also
               would
               admit
               of
               a
               fair
               and
               
                 sound
                 construction
              
               ,
               but
               that
               there
               is
               more
               than
               ordinary
               evidence
               of
               the
               places
               being
               corrupted
               .
               For
               the
               
                 Vulgar
                 Latin
              
               ,
               which
               as
               to
               the
               Psalms
               was
               translated
               out
               of
               the
               LXX
               .
               renders
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 propter
                 legem
                 tuam
              
               ;
               
                 for
                 thy
                 Laws
                 sake
              
               ;
               which
               makes
               it
               evident
               ,
               that
               that
               Translator
               reads
               the
               words
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               and
               not
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               as
               now
               we
               read
               .
               Now
               though
               this
               hath
               in
               its
               self
               ,
               no
               proper
               sense
               (
               for
               forgiveness
               is
               not
               bestowed
               for
               the
               Laws
               sake
               )
               yet
               it
               discovers
               the
               original
               of
               the
               whole
               mistake
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               The
               Law
               ,
               differs
               but
               in
               one
               letter
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 feared
              
               ;
               by
               a
               mistake
               whereof
               this
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 for
                 thy
                 Law
                 sake
              
               ,
               crept
               into
               the
               Text.
               Nor
               doth
               this
               any
               thing
               countenance
               the
               corrupt
               figment
               of
               the
               novelty
               of
               the
               
                 Hebrew
                 Vowels
                 and
                 Accents
              
               ;
               as
               though
               this
               difference
               might
               arise
               ,
               from
               the
               LXX
               .
               using
               a
               copy
               that
               had
               none
               ,
               that
               is
               before
               their
               invention
               ,
               which
               might
               occasion
               mistakes
               and
               differences
               ;
               for
               this
               difference
               is
               in
               a
               Letter
               as
               well
               as
               the
               Vowels
               ;
               and
               therefore
               there
               can
               be
               no
               colour
               for
               this
               conceit
               ,
               unless
               we
               say
               also
               ,
               that
               they
               had
               Copies
               of
               old
               with
               other
               Consonants
               than
               those
               we
               now
               enjoy
               .
               Bellarmine
               in
               his
               Exposition
               of
               this
               place
               ,
               endeavours
               to
               give
               countenance
               unto
               the
               reading
               of
               the
               
                 Vulgar
                 Latin
              
               ;
               
                 for
                 thy
                 Laws
                 sake
              
               ;
               affirming
               that
               by
               the
               Law
               here
               ,
               not
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 our
                 Obedience
              
               ,
               is
               intended
               ;
               but
               the
               
                 Law
                 or
                 Order
              
               of
               Gods
               dealing
               with
               us
               ;
               that
               is
               his
               Mercy
               and
               Faithfulness
               ;
               which
               is
               a
               meer
               
                 new
                 Invention
              
               to
               countenance
               an
               old
               error
               ,
               which
               any
               
                 tolerable
                 ingenuity
              
               would
               have
               confessed
               ,
               rather
               than
               have
               justified
               by
               so
               sorry
               a
               pretence
               .
               For
               neither
               is
               that
               expression
               ,
               or
               that
               word
               ,
               eyer
               used
               in
               the
               sense
               here
               by
               him
               faigned
               ,
               nor
               can
               it
               have
               any
               such
               signification
               .
            
             
               Hierom
               renders
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 utsis
                 terribilis
              
               ;
               that
               thou
               maist
               be
               
                 dreadful
                 or
                 terrible
              
               ,
               doubtless
               not
               according
               to
               the
               intendment
               of
               the
               place
               .
               It
               is
               for
               the
               relieving
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               and
               not
               for
               the
               increasing
               of
               its
               dread
               and
               terror
               ,
               that
               this
               observation
               is
               made
               ;
               
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
              
               .
            
             
               But
               the
               words
               are
               clear
               ,
               and
               their
               sense
               is
               obvious
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 therefore
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 feared
              
               ,
               or
               
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 feared
              
               .
            
             
               By
               the
               
                 Fear
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ,
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               the
               whole
               
               Worship
               of
               God
               ,
               moral
               and
               instituted
               ,
               all
               the
               Obedience
               which
               we
               owe
               unto
               him
               ,
               both
               for
               matter
               and
               manner
               ,
               is
               intended
               .
               Whatever
               we
               are
               to
               perform
               unto
               God
               ,
               being
               to
               be
               carried
               on
               and
               performed
               with
               Reverence
               and
               
                 godly
                 fear
              
               ,
               by
               a
               Metonymy
               of
               the
               Adjunct
               ,
               that
               name
               is
               given
               to
               the
               whole
               .
               
                 That
                 thou
                 mayst
                 be
                 feared
              
               ,
               then
               ,
               is
               that
               thou
               maist
               be
               
                 served
                 ,
                 worshipped
              
               ;
               that
               I
               who
               am
               ready
               to
               faint
               and
               give
               over
               on
               the
               account
               of
               sin
               ,
               may
               yet
               be
               encouraged
               unto
               ,
               and
               yet
               continue
               in
               that
               Obedience
               which
               thou
               requirest
               at
               my
               hands
               ;
               And
               this
               appears
               to
               be
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               whole
               Verse
               ;
               as
               influenced
               by
               ,
               and
               from
               those
               foregoing
               .
            
             
               
                 Although
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 approach
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 stand
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
                 or
                 walk
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 mark
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 follies
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 nor
                 could
                 they
                 serve
                 so
                 great
                 and
                 holy
                 a
                 God
                 as
                 thou
                 art
                 ;
                 yet
                 because
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 from
                 thy
                 Revelation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 also
                 with
                 thee
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 the
                 propitiation
                 ,
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 encouraged
                 to
                 continue
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 waiting
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 worshipping
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 when
                 without
                 this
                 discovery
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 rather
                 chuse
                 to
                 have
                 Rocks
                 and
                 Mountains
                 fall
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 hide
                 me
                 from
                 thy
                 presence
                 .
              
            
             
               But
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               thee
               ,
               and
               therefore
               thou
               shalt
               be
               feared
               .
            
             
               The
               words
               being
               thus
               opened
               ,
               we
               may
               take
               a
               full
               view
               in
               them
               of
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               expressed
               in
               this
               Psalm
               ;
               and
               that
               answering
               the
               experiences
               of
               all
               who
               have
               had
               any
               thing
               to
               do
               with
               God
               ,
               in
               and
               about
               the
               Depths
               and
               Entanglements
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               Having
               in
               ,
               and
               from
               his
               great
               
                 depths
                 ,
                 v.
              
               1.
               addressed
               himself
               with
               servent
               redoubled
               cryes
               ,
               yea
               ,
               outcryes
               ,
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               alone
               for
               relief
               ,
               v.
               1
               ,
               2.
               having
               also
               acknowledged
               his
               iniquities
               ,
               and
               considered
               them
               according
               to
               the
               
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 v.
              
               3.
               he
               consesseth
               himself
               to
               be
               lost
               and
               undone
               for
               ever
               on
               that
               account
               ,
               v.
               3.
               
               But
               he
               abides
               not
               in
               this
               state
               of
               self-condemnation
               and
               dejection
               of
               soul
               ;
               He
               sayes
               not
               there
               is
               no
               hope
               ,
               
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 jealous
                 God
              
               ,
               an
               holy
               God
               ,
               I
               cannot
               serve
               him
               ;
               his
               Law
               is
               a
               fiery
               Law
               ,
               which
               I
               cannot
               stand
               before
               ,
               so
               that
               I
               had
               as
               good
               
               give
               over
               ,
               sit
               down
               and
               perish
               ,
               as
               contend
               any
               longer
               !
               no
               ,
               but
               searching
               by
               faith
               into
               the
               discovery
               that
               God
               makes
               of
               himself
               in
               Christ
               through
               the
               Covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               he
               finds
               a
               stable
               foundation
               of
               encouragement
               ,
               to
               continue
               waiting
               on
               him
               ,
               with
               expectation
               of
               mercy
               and
               pardon
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   Propositions
                   or
                   Observations
                   from
                   the
                   former
                   Exposition
                   of
                   the
                   words
                   .
                   The
                   first
                   proposed
                   to
                   confirmation
                   .
                   No
                   encouragement
                   for
                   any
                   sinner
                   to
                   approach
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   without
                   a
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 From
                 the
                 words
                 unfolded
                 as
                 they
                 lye
                 in
                 their
                 contexture
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Propositions
                 do
                 arise
                 .
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       Faiths
                       discovery
                       of
                       forgiveness
                       in
                       God
                       ,
                       though
                       it
                       have
                       no
                       present
                       sense
                       of
                       its
                       own
                       peculiar
                       interest
                       therein
                       ,
                       is
                       the
                       great
                       supportment
                       of
                       a
                       sin
                       perplexed
                       soul.
                       
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       Gospel
                       Forgiveness
                       ,
                       whose
                       discovery
                       is
                       the
                       sole
                       supportment
                       of
                       sin
                       distressed
                       souls
                       ,
                       relates
                       to
                       the
                       gracious
                       heart
                       ,
                       or
                       good
                       will
                       of
                       the
                       Father
                       ,
                       the
                       God
                       of
                       forgiveness
                       ,
                       the
                       propitiation
                       that
                       is
                       made
                       by
                       the
                       blood
                       of
                       the
                       Son
                       ,
                       and
                       free
                       condonation
                       or
                       pardon
                       according
                       to
                       the
                       tenor
                       of
                       the
                       Covenant
                       of
                       Grace
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       Faiths
                       discovery
                       of
                       Forgiveness
                       in
                       God
                       ,
                       is
                       the
                       sole
                       bottom
                       of
                       adherence
                       to
                       him
                       ,
                       in
                       acceptable
                       Worship
                       and
                       reverential
                       obedience
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 first
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 whose
                 confirmation
                 and
                 improvement
                 I
                 principally
                 aim
                 at
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 only
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 coincidence
                 therewith
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 used
                 in
                 a
                 subserviency
                 to
                 the
                 illustration
                 or
                 demonstration
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 handling
                 then
                 of
                 this
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 more
                 advantage
                 unto
                 them
                 whose
                 good
                 is
                 sought
                 ,
                 and
                 intended
                 in
                 the
                 proposal
                 and
                 management
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 steer
                 this
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       That
                       there
                       is
                       not
                       the
                       least
                       encouragement
                       to
                       the
                       soul
                       of
                       a
                       sinner
                       to
                       deal
                       with
                       God
                       without
                       this
                       discovery
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       That
                       this
                       discovery
                       of
                       forgiveness
                       in
                       God
                       is
                       a
                       matter
                       great
                       ,
                       holy
                       and
                       mysterious
                       ;
                       and
                       which
                       very
                       few
                       on
                       Gospel
                       abiding
                       grounds
                       ,
                       do
                       attain
                       unto
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       That
                       yet
                       this
                       is
                       a
                       great
                       ,
                       sacred
                       and
                       certain
                       Truth
                       ,
                    
                     as
                     from
                     the
                     manifold
                     Evidences
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     may
                     be
                     made
                     to
                     appear
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                     4.
                     
                     
                       That
                       this
                       is
                       a
                       stable
                       supportment
                       unto
                       a
                       sin
                       distressed
                       soul
                       ,
                    
                     shall
                     be
                     manifested
                     ;
                     and
                     the
                     whole
                     applyed
                     ,
                     according
                     to
                     the
                     several
                     concernments
                     of
                     those
                     who
                     shall
                     consider
                     it
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   There
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   least
                   encouragement
                   for
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   a
                   sinner
                   ,
                   to
                   entertain
                   any
                   thoughts
                   of
                   approaching
                   unto
                   God
                   without
                   this
                   discovery
                   .
                
                 All
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 covered
                 with
                 a
                 deluge
                 of
                 wrath
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Ark
                 whereunto
                 the
                 soul
                 may
                 repair
                 and
                 find
                 rest
                 .
                 All
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 darkness
                 ,
                 curse
                 and
                 terror
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 have
                 an
                 instance
                 and
                 example
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 beyond
                 all
                 exception
                 in
                 Adam
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 knew
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 impossible
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 shew
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 as
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 laid
                 aside
                 all
                 thoughts
                 of
                 treating
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 his
                 foolish
                 contrivance
                 was
                 for
                 an
                 escape
                 ;
                 Gen.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   I
                   heard
                   thy
                   voyce
                
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 to
                 God
                 )
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Garden
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   AFRAID
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   was
                   naked
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   HID
                   my self
                   .
                
                 Nothing
                 but
                 
                   thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                   the
                   death
                
                 ,
                 founded
                 in
                 his
                 ears
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 morning
                 of
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 made
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 a
                 few
                 hours
                 before
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 converse
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 with
                 boldness
                 and
                 peace
                 ;
                 why
                 then
                 doth
                 nothing
                 now
                 but
                 FEAR
                 ,
                 Flying
                 and
                 HIDING
                 possess
                 him
                 ?
                 Adam
                 had
                 sinned
                 ,
                 the
                 Promise
                 was
                 not
                 yet
                 given
                 ,
                 no
                 Revelation
                 made
                 of
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 other
                 course
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 vain
                 and
                 foolish
                 one
                 ,
                 to
                 fix
                 upon
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 .
                 No
                 more
                 can
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 Posterity
                 without
                 this
                 Revelation
                 .
                 What
                 else
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 hath
                 fixed
                 on
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 no
                 less
                 foolish
                 than
                 his
                 hiding
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 most
                 ,
                 more
                 pernicious
                 .
                 When
                 Cain
                 had
                 received
                 his
                 sentence
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 he
                 went
                 out
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   from
                   the
                   presence
                   or
                   face
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 From
                 his
                 
                   providential
                   presence
                
                 he
                 could
                 never
                 subduct
                 himself
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 informs
                 us
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 139.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 very
                 Heathen
                 knew
                 by
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 that
                 guilt
                 could
                 never
                 drive
                 men
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 
                 
                   Quo
                   fugis
                   Encelade
                   ,
                   quascunque
                   accesseris
                   oras
                
                 
                   Sub
                   Jove
                   semper
                   eris
                   .
                
              
               
                 They
                 knew
                 that
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 (
                 the
                 Vengeance
                 of
                 God
                 )
                 would
                 not
                 spare
                 sinners
                 ;
                 nor
                 could
                 be
                 avoided
                 ,
                 Acts
                 28.
                 4.
                 
                 From
                 Gods
                 
                   Gracious
                   Presence
                
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 never
                 enjoyed
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 depart
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 then
                 his
                 Presence
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 Worship
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 outward
                 acts
                 of
                 Communion
                 that
                 he
                 forsook
                 ,
                 and
                 departed
                 from
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 no
                 discovery
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 resolved
                 to
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 those
                 who
                 cleaved
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 respects
                 his
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 any
                 one
                 particular
                 action
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 also
                 is
                 stated
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 33.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   The
                   sinners
                   in
                
                 Sion
                 
                   are
                   afraid
                   ,
                   fearfulness
                   hath
                   surprised
                   the
                   Hypocrites
                   ;
                   who
                   among
                   us
                   shall
                   dwell
                   with
                   the
                   devouring
                   fire
                   ?
                   Who
                   amongst
                   us
                   shall
                   dwell
                   with
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   ?
                
                 The
                 persons
                 spoken
                 of
                 are
                 sinners
                 ,
                 great
                 sinners
                 and
                 Hypocrites
                 ;
                 conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 it
                 was
                 fallen
                 upon
                 them
                 ;
                 a
                 light
                 to
                 discern
                 forgiveness
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 ;
                 they
                 apprehend
                 God
                 as
                 
                   devouring
                   fire
                
                 and
                 
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   only
                
                 ;
                 One
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 spare
                 ,
                 but
                 assuredly
                 inflict
                 punishment
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 thence
                 is
                 their
                 conclusion
                 ,
                 couched
                 in
                 their
                 Interrogation
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 
                   entercourse
                   of
                   peace
                
                 between
                 him
                 and
                 them
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 abiding
                 ,
                 no
                 enduring
                 of
                 his
                 Presence
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 condition
                 this
                 consideration
                 brings
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 unto
                 ,
                 when
                 conviction
                 grows
                 strong
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 declares
                 ,
                 Mich.
                 6.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Wherewith
                   shall
                   I
                   come
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   my self
                   before
                   the
                   high
                   God
                   ?
                   shall
                   I
                   come
                   before
                   him
                   with
                   burnt
                   offerings
                   ,
                   with
                   Calves
                   of
                   a
                   year
                   old
                   ?
                   will
                   the
                   Lord
                   be
                   pleased
                   with
                   thousands
                   of
                   Ramms
                   ,
                   or
                   with
                   ten
                   thousands
                   of
                   Rivers
                   of
                   Oyl
                   ?
                   shall
                   I
                   give
                   my
                   first
                   born
                   for
                   my
                   transgression
                   ,
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   my
                   body
                   for
                   the
                   sin
                   of
                   my
                   soul
                   ?
                
                 Sense
                 of
                 sin
                 presseth
                 ,
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 not
                 discovered
                 ,
                 (
                 like
                 the
                 Philistins
                 on
                 
                   Saul
                   ,
                   Samuel
                
                 not
                 coming
                 to
                 his
                 direction
                 )
                 and
                 how
                 doth
                 the
                 poor
                 creature
                 perplex
                 it self
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 to
                 find
                 out
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 Will
                 a
                 sedulous
                 and
                 diligent
                 observation
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Ordinances
                 and
                 Institutions
                 relieve
                 me
                 ;
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   come
                   before
                   him
                   with
                   burnt-offerings
                   and
                   Calves
                   of
                   a
                   year
                   old
                   ?
                
                 Alas
                 thou
                 art
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 Sacrifices
                 cannot
                 make
                 thee
                 
                 perfect
                 or
                 acquit
                 thee
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 1.
                 
                 Shall
                 I
                 do
                 more
                 than
                 ever
                 he
                 required
                 of
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 ?
                 
                   O
                   that
                   I
                   had
                   thousands
                   of
                   Ramms
                   ,
                   and
                   ten
                   thousands
                   of
                   Rivers
                   of
                   Oyl
                   to
                   offer
                   to
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Alas
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 hadst
                 all
                 the
                 Bulls
                 and
                 Goats
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 that
                 their
                 blood
                 should
                 take
                 away
                 sins
                 ,
                 v.
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 I
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 have
                 snatched
                 their
                 own
                 Children
                 from
                 their
                 Mothers
                 breasts
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 fire
                 ,
                 until
                 they
                 were
                 consumed
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 pacifie
                 their
                 consciences
                 in
                 expiating
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 their
                 iniquities
                 ;
                 shall
                 I
                 take
                 this
                 course
                 ?
                 Will
                 it
                 relieve
                 me
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 ready
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 my
                 
                   first
                   born
                
                 into
                 the
                 fire
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 may
                 have
                 deliverance
                 from
                 my
                 Transgressions
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 this
                 never
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 approve
                 ,
                 or
                 accept
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 then
                 ,
                 whilst
                 that
                 
                   kind
                   of
                   Worship
                
                 was
                 in
                 force
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 it
                 still
                 as
                 to
                 
                   any
                   duties
                
                 ,
                 really
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 ,
                 or
                 imaginarily
                 .
                 Where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 they
                 will
                 yield
                 the
                 soul
                 no
                 relief
                 ,
                 no
                 supportment
                 ;
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 treated
                 upon
                 such
                 terms
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Greatness
                   and
                   rareness
                   of
                   the
                   Discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   in
                   God.
                   Reasons
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   Testimonies
                   of
                   Conscience
                   ,
                   and
                   Law
                   against
                   it
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   is
                   great
                   ,
                   holy
                   and
                   Mysterious
                   ,
                   and
                   which
                   very
                   few
                   on
                   Gospel
                   grounds
                   do
                   attain
                   unto
                   .
                
              
               
                 All
                 men
                 indeed
                 say
                 there
                 is
                 ;
                 most
                 men
                 are
                 perswaded
                 that
                 they
                 think
                 so
                 .
                 Only
                 men
                 in
                 great
                 and
                 desperate
                 extremities
                 ,
                 like
                 Cain
                 ,
                 or
                 Spira
                 ,
                 seem
                 to
                 call
                 it
                 into
                 question
                 .
                 But
                 their
                 thoughts
                 are
                 empty
                 ,
                 groundless
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 wicked
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Atheistical
                   .
                   Elihu
                
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 declare
                 this
                 aright
                 to
                 a
                 sinful
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 a
                 
                   Messenger
                   ,
                   an
                   Interpreter
                   ,
                   one
                   among
                   a
                   thousand
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 33.
                 23.
                 that
                 is
                 indeed
                 ,
                 of
                 Christ
                 himself
                 .
                 The
                 common
                 thoughts
                 of
                 men
                 about
                 this
                 thing
                 are
                 slight
                 and
                 foolish
                 ;
                 and
                 may
                 be
                 resolved
                 into
                 those
                 mentioned
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   Psal.
                
                 50.
                 21.
                 
                 They
                 think
                 that
                 
                   God
                   is
                   altogether
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   as
                   themselves
                   .
                
                 That
                 indeed
                 he
                 takes
                 little
                 or
                 no
                 care
                 about
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 passeth
                 them
                 over
                 as
                 slightly
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 themselves
                 ;
                 That
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 their
                 pretences
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 never
                 had
                 indeed
                 ,
                 any
                 real
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 shall
                 
                 be
                 afterwards
                 undeniably
                 evinced
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 speedily
                 shew
                 the
                 difference
                 that
                 is
                 between
                 their
                 
                   vain
                   credulity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Gracious
                 ,
                 Gospel
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God.
                 For
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 Discovery
                 ,
                 I
                 intend
                 ,
                 both
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 it
                 made
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 Reception
                 of
                 that
                 Revelation
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 advantage
                 ,
                 as
                 shall
                 be
                 shewed
                 immediately
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 the
                 difficulty
                 intimated
                 ,
                 consist
                 partly
                 in
                 the
                 hinderances
                 ,
                 that
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 this
                 discovery
                 ;
                 and
                 partly
                 in
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 discovered
                 ;
                 of
                 both
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 treat
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 here
                 before
                 I
                 proceed
                 ,
                 somewhat
                 must
                 be
                 premised
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 particularly
                 intend
                 by
                 a
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 then
                 be
                 considered
                 two
                 wayes
                 ;
                 First
                 ,
                 For
                 a
                 
                   doctrinal
                   ,
                   objective
                
                 discovery
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 truth
                 ;
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 
                   experimental
                   subjective
                
                 discovery
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 power
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 sense
                 ,
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 discovered
                 ever
                 since
                 the
                 giving
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Promise
                
                 :
                 God
                 revealed
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 
                   word
                   of
                   Promise
                
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 been
                 known
                 ,
                 as
                 shall
                 be
                 afterwards
                 declared
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 sense
                 after
                 many
                 lesser
                 degrees
                 and
                 advancements
                 of
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 fully
                 and
                 gloriously
                 brought
                 forth
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Person
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 now
                 revealed
                 ,
                 and
                 preached
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 them
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                
                 is
                 committed
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 declare
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 principal
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Herein
                 lye
                 those
                 
                   unsearchable
                   Treasures
                   and
                   Riches
                
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 esteemed
                 as
                 his
                 chiefest
                 Honour
                 and
                 Priviledge
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 intrusted
                 with
                 the
                 declaration
                 and
                 dispensation
                 of
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 3.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 I
                 know
                 by
                 many
                 it
                 is
                 despised
                 ,
                 by
                 many
                 traduced
                 ,
                 whose
                 Ignorance
                 and
                 blindness
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 lamented
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 day
                 is
                 coming
                 which
                 will
                 
                   manifest
                   every
                   mans
                   work
                
                 of
                 what
                 sort
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 latter
                 sense
                 how
                 it
                 is
                 made
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 shall
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 place
                 be
                 further
                 opened
                 and
                 made
                 known
                 .
                 Here
                 many
                 men
                 mistake
                 ,
                 and
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 .
                 Because
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 Book
                 ,
                 they
                 think
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 in
                 them
                 also
                 .
                 Because
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 taught
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 think
                 they
                 believe
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 ;
                 They
                 have
                 not
                 
                   heard
                   this
                   voyce
                   of
                   God
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   ,
                   nor
                   seen
                   his
                   shape
                
                 ;
                 it
                 hath
                 not
                 been
                 revealed
                 unto
                 
                 them
                 in
                 its
                 power
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 this
                 done
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 work
                 :
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   constant
                   voyce
                   of
                   Conscience
                   lyes
                   against
                   it
                   .
                   Conscience
                
                 (
                 if
                 not
                 seared
                 )
                 inexorably
                 condemneth
                 ,
                 and
                 pronounceth
                 Wrath
                 and
                 Anger
                 upon
                 the
                 soul
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 least
                 guilt
                 cleaving
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 hath
                 this
                 advantage
                 ;
                 it
                 lyeth
                 close
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 importunity
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   loud
                   speaking
                
                 it
                 will
                 he
                 heard
                 in
                 what
                 it
                 hath
                 to
                 say
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 make
                 the
                 whole
                 soul
                 attend
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 will
                 speak
                 like
                 thunder
                 .
                 And
                 its
                 constant
                 voyce
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   guilt
                   there
                   must
                   be
                   judgement
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 Conscience
                 naturally
                 knows
                 nothing
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 against
                 its
                 very
                 trust
                 ,
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 office
                 to
                 hear
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 courage
                 and
                 honesty
                 be
                 entrusted
                 to
                 keep
                 a
                 Garrison
                 against
                 an
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 let
                 one
                 come
                 and
                 tell
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 peace
                 made
                 between
                 those
                 whom
                 he
                 serves
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 leave
                 his
                 Guard
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 open
                 the
                 Gates
                 ,
                 and
                 cease
                 his
                 watchfulness
                 ;
                 how
                 wary
                 will
                 he
                 be
                 ,
                 lest
                 under
                 this
                 pretence
                 he
                 be
                 betrayed
                 ?
                 No
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 keep
                 my
                 hold
                 ,
                 until
                 I
                 have
                 express
                 order
                 from
                 my
                 
                   Superiours
                   .
                   Conscience
                
                 is
                 entrusted
                 with
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 with
                 command
                 to
                 keep
                 all
                 in
                 subjection
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 Judgement
                 to
                 come
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 betray
                 its
                 trust
                 in
                 believing
                 every
                 
                   report
                   of
                   peace
                
                 .
                 No!
                 but
                 this
                 it
                 sayes
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 
                   Guilt
                   and
                   punishment
                   are
                   inseparable
                   twins
                   .
                   If
                   the
                   soul
                   sin
                   ,
                   God
                   will
                   judge
                   .
                
                 What
                 tell
                 you
                 me
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 what
                 my
                 commission
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 abide
                 by
                 ;
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 bring
                 in
                 a
                 Superior
                 Commander
                 ,
                 a
                 cross
                 Principle
                 into
                 my
                 trust
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 I
                 must
                 let
                 go
                 my
                 Throne
                 ;
                 another
                 Lord
                 must
                 come
                 in
                 ;
                 not
                 knowing
                 as
                 yet
                 how
                 this
                 whole
                 business
                 is
                 compounded
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Now
                 whom
                 should
                 a
                 man
                 believe
                 if
                 not
                 his
                 
                   own
                   Conscience
                
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 flatter
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 intends
                 not
                 to
                 affright
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 speak
                 the
                 truth
                 as
                 the
                 matter
                 requireth
                 .
                 Conscience
                 hath
                 two
                 works
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 sin
                 ;
                 one
                 to
                 condemn
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 another
                 to
                 judge
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 ;
                 both
                 with
                 reference
                 to
                 the
                 Judgement
                 of
                 God.
                 When
                 forgiveness
                 comes
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 sever
                 and
                 part
                 these
                 employments
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 conscience
                 .
                 It
                 would
                 divide
                 the
                 spoil
                 with
                 this
                 strong
                 one
                 .
                 It
                 shall
                 condemn
                 the
                 fact
                 ,
                 or
                 every
                 sin
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 shall
                 no
                 more
                 condemn
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 ;
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 its
                 sentence
                 .
                 Here
                 Conscience
                 labours
                 with
                 all
                 its
                 might
                 to
                 keep
                 its
                 whole
                 dominion
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 out
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 from
                 being
                 enthroned
                 in
                 the
                 soul.
                 It
                 will
                 allow
                 men
                 to
                 talk
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 it
                 preached
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 abuse
                 it
                 every
                 day
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 receive
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 power
                 ,
                 that
                 stands
                 up
                 in
                 direct
                 opposition
                 to
                 its
                 dominion
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 saith
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 greater
                 than
                 thou
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 many
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 it
                 keeps
                 its
                 possession
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 deposed
                 .
              
               
                 Nor
                 indeed
                 is
                 it
                 an
                 easie
                 work
                 so
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Sacrifices
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 2.
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 bring
                 a
                 man
                 into
                 that
                 estate
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 should
                 
                   have
                   no
                   more
                   conscience
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Conscience
                 condemning
                 the
                 Person
                 ;
                 for
                 conscience
                 in
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 condemnation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 otherwise
                 done
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 at
                 large
                 there
                 declares
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 then
                 no
                 
                   easie
                   thing
                
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 unto
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 work
                 and
                 employment
                 which
                 Conscience
                 upon
                 unquestionable
                 grounds
                 challengeth
                 unto
                 it self
                 ,
                 lyes
                 in
                 opposition
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 is
                 the
                 souls
                 great
                 desire
                 to
                 
                   establish
                   its
                   own
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 its
                 natural
                 Principles
                 may
                 be
                 preserved
                 in
                 their
                 power
                 .
                 Let
                 self-righteousness
                 be
                 enthroned
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   natural
                   conscience
                
                 desires
                 no
                 more
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 and
                 pacified
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 it
                 knows
                 ;
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 it
                 knows
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 it
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   whence
                   is
                   it
                
                 ?
                 Unto
                 the
                 utmost
                 ,
                 until
                 Christ
                 perfects
                 his
                 conquest
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 secret
                 struglings
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 against
                 
                   free
                   pardon
                
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 fluctuations
                 of
                 mind
                 and
                 Spirit
                 about
                 it
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 hence
                 are
                 the
                 doubts
                 and
                 fears
                 of
                 believers
                 themselves
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 strivings
                 of
                 Conscience
                 to
                 keep
                 its
                 whole
                 dominion
                 ;
                 to
                 condemn
                 the
                 sinner
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 sin
                 .
                 More
                 or
                 less
                 it
                 keeps
                 up
                 its
                 pretensions
                 against
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 whilst
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 work
                 that
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 hath
                 to
                 do
                 upon
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ;
                 for
                 whereas
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 claims
                 a
                 right
                 to
                 condemn
                 both
                 sin
                 and
                 sinner
                 ,
                 the
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 its
                 power
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 cleared
                 ,
                 strengthened
                 ,
                 made
                 more
                 active
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 and
                 watchful
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 quite
                 away
                 .
                 It
                 shall
                 now
                 see
                 
                   more
                   sins
                
                 than
                 formerly
                 ,
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 
                   vileness
                   of
                   all
                   sins
                
                 than
                 formerly
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 them
                 with
                 more
                 abborrency
                 than
                 ever
                 ,
                 upon
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 glorious
                 accounts
                 than
                 formerly
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 also
                 made
                 to
                 see
                 an
                 interposition
                 between
                 these
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 committed
                 them
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 or
                 ordinary
                 work
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Law
                   lyes
                   against
                   this
                   discovery
                
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 is
                 a
                 beam
                 of
                 the
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 What
                 it
                 speaks
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 and
                 Authority
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 shew
                 concerning
                 it
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ;
                   namely
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   forgiveness
                   for
                   a
                   sinner
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   That
                   a
                   sinner
                   hath
                   great
                   reason
                   to
                   give
                   credit
                   to
                   the
                   Law
                   in
                   that
                   Assertion
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 that
                 the
                 Law
                 knows
                 neither
                 mercy
                 nor
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 The
                 very
                 sanction
                 of
                 it
                 lyes
                 wholly
                 against
                 them
                 :
                 
                   The
                   soul
                   that
                   sinneth
                   shall
                   dye
                   .
                   Cursed
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   continueth
                   not
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   written
                   in
                   the
                   Book
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   to
                   do
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 27.
                 26.
                 
                 Hence
                 the
                 Apostle
                 pronounceth
                 universally
                 without
                 exception
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 are
                 
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   are
                   under
                   the
                   curse
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 v.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Law
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   faith
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 an
                 inconsistency
                 between
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 believing
                 ;
                 they
                 cannot
                 have
                 their
                 abode
                 in
                 power
                 together
                 .
                 
                   Do
                   this
                   and
                   live
                   ;
                   fail
                   and
                   dye
                
                 ;
                 is
                 the
                 constant
                 immutable
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 This
                 it
                 speaks
                 in
                 general
                 to
                 all
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 in
                 particular
                 to
                 every
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 sinner
                 seems
                 to
                 have
                 manifold
                 and
                 weighty
                 Reasons
                 to
                 
                   attend
                   to
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   this
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 and
                 to
                 acquiesce
                 in
                 its
                 sentence
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Law
                 is
                 connatural
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 his
                 Domestick
                 ,
                 his
                 old
                 acquaintance
                 .
                 It
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 grown
                 up
                 with
                 him
                 from
                 his
                 Infancy
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 implanted
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 by
                 nature
                 ;
                 is
                 his
                 own
                 Reason
                 ;
                 he
                 can
                 never
                 shake
                 it
                 off
                 ,
                 or
                 part
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 his
                 
                   Familiar
                   ,
                   his
                   Friend
                
                 ,
                 that
                 cleaves
                 
                 to
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 flesh
                 to
                 the
                 bone
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   written
                
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 she●
                 
                   forth
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 14.
                 15.
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 the
                 Law
                 it self
                 is
                 inbred
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 faculties
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 are
                 at
                 peace
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 subjection
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 bond
                 .
                 and
                 ligament
                 of
                 their
                 union
                 harmony
                 and
                 correspondency
                 among
                 themselves
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 moral
                 actings
                 .
                 It
                 gives
                 life
                 ,
                 order
                 ,
                 motion
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 that
                 comes
                 to
                 controll
                 this
                 sentence
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 relieve
                 the
                 sinner
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 forraign
                 to
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 a
                 thing
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 acquaintance
                 or
                 familiarity
                 with
                 ;
                 it
                 hath
                 not
                 been
                 bred
                 up
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 nor
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 side
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 party
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 plead
                 in
                 its
                 behalf
                 .
                 Now
                 shall
                 not
                 a
                 man
                 rather
                 believe
                 a
                 Domestick
                 ,
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 indeed
                 himself
                 ;
                 than
                 a
                 forraigner
                 ,
                 a
                 stranger
                 ,
                 that
                 comes
                 with
                 
                   uncouth
                   Principles
                
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 suit
                 not
                 its
                 Reason
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Law
                 speaks
                 nothing
                 to
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 his
                 Conscience
                 assures
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 constant
                 concurrence
                 in
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 and
                 conscience
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Law
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   or
                   that
                   is
                   a
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 worthy
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 conscience
                 sayes
                 it
                 is
                 even
                 so
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 42.
                 
                 And
                 where
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 a
                 general
                 Rule
                 ,
                 rests
                 ,
                 Conscience
                 helps
                 it
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   and
                   that
                   sin
                   ,
                   so
                   worthy
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   soul
                   guilty
                   of
                
                 ;
                 then
                 dye
                 saith
                 the
                 Law
                 as
                 thou
                 hast
                 deserved
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 must
                 needs
                 have
                 a
                 mighty
                 efficacy
                 to
                 prevail
                 with
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 give
                 credit
                 to
                 the
                 report
                 and
                 Testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 it
                 speaks
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 but
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 witness
                 within
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 These
                 witnesses
                 alwayes
                 agree
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 established
                 for
                 a
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Law
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 speak
                 against
                 the
                 souls
                 interest
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 speaks
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 so
                 
                   just
                   ,
                   righteous
                
                 and
                 equal
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 even
                 forceth
                 the
                 souls
                 consent
                 .
                 So
                 Paul
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 
                   know
                   this
                   voyce
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Judgement
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 32.
                 
                 They
                 know
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 but
                 consent
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Judgement
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 good
                 ,
                 righteous
                 ,
                 equal
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 controlled
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 what
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 righteous
                 than
                 its
                 sentence
                 ?
                 It
                 commands
                 Obedience
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 
                 death
                 ;
                 promiseth
                 a
                 Reward
                 ,
                 and
                 declares
                 that
                 for
                 non-performance
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 death
                 will
                 be
                 inflicted
                 .
                 On
                 these
                 terms
                 the
                 sinner
                 cometh
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 good
                 ,
                 righteous
                 ,
                 holy
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 accepts
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 knows
                 not
                 what
                 it
                 can
                 desire
                 better
                 or
                 more
                 equal
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 insists
                 upon
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   Wherefore
                   the
                   Law
                   is
                   holy
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   commandment
                   holy
                   and
                   just
                   and
                   good
                   ;
                   was
                   then
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   good
                   made
                   death
                   unto
                   me
                   ?
                   Godforbid
                   ;
                   but
                   sin
                   that
                   it
                   might
                   appear
                   sin
                   ,
                   working
                   death
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                   by
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   ;
                   that
                   sin
                   by
                   the
                   commandment
                   might
                   become
                   exceeding
                   sinful
                   .
                
                 Whereever
                 the
                 blame
                 falls
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 cannot
                 but
                 acquit
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 confess
                 that
                 what
                 it
                 says
                 ,
                 is
                 righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 uncontrollably
                 equal
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 meet
                 things
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 ;
                 Now
                 though
                 the
                 Authority
                 and
                 credit
                 of
                 a
                 Witness
                 ,
                 may
                 go
                 very
                 far
                 in
                 a
                 doubtful
                 matter
                 ;
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 concurrence
                 of
                 more
                 witnesses
                 it
                 strengthens
                 the
                 Testimony
                 ;
                 but
                 nothing
                 is
                 so
                 prevalent
                 to
                 beget
                 belief
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 the
                 things
                 themselves
                 that
                 are
                 spoken
                 are
                 just
                 and
                 good
                 ,
                 not
                 liable
                 to
                 any
                 reasonable
                 exception
                 ;
                 And
                 so
                 is
                 it
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ;
                 unto
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 concurrence
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 this
                 also
                 is
                 added
                 ,
                 the
                 Reasonableness
                 ,
                 and
                 equity
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 proposed
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Judgement
                   of
                   the
                   sinner
                
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 sin
                 shall
                 be
                 punished
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 transgression
                 receive
                 
                   a
                   meet
                   recompence
                   of
                   reward
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 further
                 .
                 What
                 the
                 Law
                 sayes
                 ,
                 it
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 
                   name
                   and
                   authority
                   of
                   God.
                
                 What
                 it
                 sayes
                 then
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 believed
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 make
                 God
                 a
                 Lyar.
                 It
                 comes
                 not
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 name
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 appointed
                 it
                 ;
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 then
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 indeed
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ?
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 constant
                 voyce
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 say
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 and
                 Authority
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 therefore
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 .
                 I
                 answer
                 briefly
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 
                   What
                   the
                   Law
                   speaks
                   ,
                   it
                   speaks
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   under
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 speak
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whom
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                   hath
                   set
                   free
                   from
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   death
                
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 it
                 speaks
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 speaks
                 the
                 very
                 Truth
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 speaks
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 Testimony
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 received
                 ;
                 It
                 sayes
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 shall
                 flatter
                 themselves
                 with
                 a
                 contrary
                 
                 perswasion
                 will
                 find
                 themselves
                 wofully
                 mistaken
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 On
                 these
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 considerations
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 there
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 of
                 Reason
                 ,
                 why
                 a
                 soul
                 should
                 conclude
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 find
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Law
                 and
                 Conscience
                 close
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 insinuate
                 themselves
                 into
                 the
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 judgement
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 .
                 They
                 strengthen
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 greatly
                 prevail
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 are
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ,
                 I
                 leave
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 tryal
                 .
                 If
                 ever
                 God
                 awaken
                 their
                 Consciences
                 to
                 a
                 through
                 performance
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 ;
                 if
                 ever
                 he
                 open
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 find
                 it
                 no
                 small
                 work
                 to
                 grapple
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 ,
                 that
                 eventually
                 they
                 prevail
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 great
                 cause
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   who
                   hath
                   believed
                   our
                   report
                   ?
                
                 We
                 come
                 with
                 our
                 Report
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 but
                 who
                 believes
                 it
                 ?
                 by
                 whom
                 is
                 it
                 received
                 ?
                 neither
                 doth
                 the
                 light
                 ,
                 nor
                 conscience
                 ,
                 nor
                 conversation
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 allow
                 us
                 to
                 suppose
                 it
                 is
                 embraced
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   ingrafted
                   notions
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   minds
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   concerning
                   the
                   Nature
                   and
                   Justice
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 lye
                 against
                 this
                 discovery
                 also
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 in
                 all
                 men
                 by
                 nature
                 
                   indelible
                   characters
                
                 of
                 the
                 Holiness
                 and
                 purity
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 and
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 
                   invariable
                   Righteousness
                
                 in
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 neither
                 depose
                 nor
                 lay
                 aside
                 .
                 For
                 
                   notions
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 whatever
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 will
                 bear
                 sway
                 and
                 rule
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 when
                 things
                 are
                 put
                 to
                 the
                 tryal
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 Heathens
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 they
                 abode
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 darkness
                 ;
                 as
                 might
                 be
                 manifested
                 by
                 innumerable
                 instances
                 .
                 But
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 all
                 men
                 by
                 nature
                 ;
                 their
                 inward
                 thought
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 an
                 
                   Avenger
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 belongs
                 to
                 his
                 Rule
                 and
                 Government
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 his
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   every
                   sin
                   be
                   punished
                
                 ;
                 This
                 is
                 his
                 Judgement
                 which
                 all
                 
                   men
                   know
                
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 observed
                 before
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 32.
                 
                 They
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   Righteous
                   thing
                
                 with
                 God
                 
                   to
                   render
                   tribulation
                   unto
                   sinners
                
                 .
                 From
                 thence
                 is
                 that
                 dread
                 and
                 fear
                 which
                 surprizeth
                 men
                 at
                 an
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 Presence
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 
                   under
                   him
                   ,
                   above
                   them
                
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 come
                 on
                 his
                 errand
                 .
                 This
                 notion
                 of
                 
                 Gods
                 avenging
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
                 exerts
                 it self
                 ,
                 secretly
                 ,
                 but
                 effectually
                 .
                 So
                 Adam
                 trembled
                 ,
                 and
                 hid
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 saying
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   seen
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   dye
                   .
                
                 When
                 men
                 are
                 under
                 any
                 dreadful
                 Providence
                 ;
                 thundrings
                 ,
                 lightnings
                 ,
                 tempests
                 ,
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 they
                 tremble
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 at
                 what
                 they
                 see
                 ,
                 or
                 hear
                 ,
                 or
                 feel
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 their
                 secret
                 thoughts
                 that
                 
                   God
                   is
                   nigh
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 consuming
                 fire
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 these
                 
                   inbred
                   notions
                
                 lye
                 universally
                 against
                 all
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 which
                 must
                 be
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 soul
                 from
                 without
                 doors
                 ;
                 having
                 no
                 Principle
                 of
                 nature
                 to
                 promote
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 !
                 Men
                 by
                 nature
                 have
                 presumptions
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   common
                   ingrafted
                   notions
                
                 ;
                 of
                 other
                 properties
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 besides
                 his
                 
                   Holiness
                   and
                   Justice
                
                 ;
                 as
                 of
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Benignity
                 ,
                 Love
                 of
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ▪
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 But
                 all
                 these
                 have
                 this
                 supposition
                 inlaid
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 things
                 stand
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 at
                 their
                 first
                 Creation
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 natural
                 notion
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 
                   interposition
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 weakens
                 ,
                 disturbs
                 ,
                 darkens
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 any
                 improvement
                 of
                 those
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Benignity
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 have
                 any
                 notion
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 from
                 some
                 corrupt
                 Tradition
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 universal
                 Principle
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 inbred
                 in
                 nature
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 those
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   Holiness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Vindictive
                   Justice
                
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 ground
                 from
                 whence
                 it
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 real
                 ,
                 solid
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 is
                 indeed
                 a
                 great
                 work
                 ;
                 
                   many
                   difficulties
                   and
                   hinderances
                   ,
                   lye
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   its
                   accomplishment
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   False
                   Presumptions
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   discovered
                   .
                   Differences
                   between
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   Faith
                   Evangelical
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 Before
                 I
                 proceed
                 to
                 produce
                 and
                 manage
                 the
                 
                   remaining
                   Evidences
                
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 because
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 ,
                 lyes
                 obnoxious
                 and
                 open
                 to
                 an
                 Objection
                 which
                 must
                 needs
                 rise
                 in
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 not
                 thereby
                 be
                 rendered
                 useless
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 remove
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 pass
                 on
                 to
                 what
                 remains
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 will
                 then
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 all
                 this
                 lye
                 directly
                 contrary
                 to
                 our
                 daily
                 experience
                 ?
                 Do
                 we
                 not
                 find
                 all
                 
                   men
                   full
                   enough
                
                 ,
                 most
                 too
                 full
                 of
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 What
                 so
                 common
                 as
                 
                   God
                   is
                   merciful
                
                 ?
                 Are
                 not
                 the
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 and
                 Convictions
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 stifled
                 ,
                 by
                 this
                 Apprehension
                 ?
                 Can
                 you
                 find
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 otherwise
                 minded
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 
                   common
                   complaint
                
                 that
                 men
                 presume
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 unto
                 their
                 eternal
                 ruine
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 all
                 men
                 do
                 ,
                 which
                 every
                 man
                 can
                 so
                 easily
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 you
                 cannot
                 keep
                 men
                 off
                 from
                 doing
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 their
                 hurt
                 ,
                 hath
                 no
                 such
                 difficulty
                 in
                 it
                 as
                 is
                 pretended
                 .
                 And
                 on
                 this
                 very
                 account
                 hath
                 this
                 weak
                 endeavour
                 to
                 demonstrate
                 this
                 Truth
                 been
                 by
                 some
                 laughed
                 to
                 scorn
                 ;
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 taken
                 upon
                 them
                 the
                 teaching
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 but
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 seems
                 )
                 had
                 need
                 be
                 taught
                 themselves
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 first
                 
                   Principles
                   of
                   the
                   Oracles
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 this
                 then
                 I
                 say
                 is
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 more
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 may
                 be
                 spoken
                 .
                 The
                 solly
                 and
                 presumption
                 of
                 poor
                 souls
                 herein
                 ,
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 enough
                 lamented
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 to
                 embrace
                 a
                 cloud
                 ,
                 a
                 shadow
                 ,
                 another
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 reality
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 hereafter
                 shew
                 the
                 true
                 nature
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 it
                 doth
                 consist
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 this
                 self-deceiving
                 will
                 be
                 discovered
                 and
                 laid
                 open
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 appear
                 in
                 the
                 issue
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 their
                 pretensions
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 know
                 nothing
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 few
                 Observations
                 ,
                 shew
                 how
                 far
                 this
                 delusion
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 differs
                 from
                 a
                 true
                 Gospel
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 enquiring
                 after
                 .
              
               
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 common
                 notion
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 men
                 have
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 twofold
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 An
                 
                   Atheistical
                   Presumption
                
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 Just
                 and
                 Holy
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 Just
                 and
                 Holy
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 way
                 and
                 manner
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 by
                 some
                 represented
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 their
                 
                   perswasion
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 Men
                 think
                 that
                 some
                 Declarations
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 fitted
                 only
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 mad
                 .
                 That
                 he
                 takes
                 little
                 notice
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 
                   easily
                   pass
                   by
                
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 suppose
                 better
                 becomes
                 him
                 .
                 Come
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   eat
                   and
                   drink
                   ,
                   for
                   to
                   morrow
                   we
                   shall
                   dye
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 their
                 inward
                 
                   thought
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   will
                   not
                   do
                   good
                   ,
                   nor
                   will
                   he
                   do
                   evil
                
                 ;
                 which
                 sayes
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 is
                 mens
                 
                   thinking
                   that
                   God
                   is
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   as
                   themselves
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 50.
                 21.
                 
                 They
                 have
                 no
                 deep
                 nor
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Purity
                 ,
                 Severity
                 ,
                 but
                 think
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 like
                 themselves
                 ;
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 much
                 moved
                 with
                 what
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 What
                 thoughts
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 they
                 think
                 God
                 hath
                 .
                 If
                 with
                 them
                 a
                 slight
                 ejaculation
                 ,
                 be
                 enough
                 to
                 expiate
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 consciences
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 troubled
                 ,
                 they
                 think
                 it
                 is
                 enough
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 punished
                 .
                 The
                 generality
                 of
                 men
                 make
                 
                   light
                   work
                
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 in
                 nothing
                 doth
                 it
                 more
                 appear
                 what
                 thoughts
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 God.
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 slight
                 thoughts
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 had
                 never
                 great
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God.
                 Indeed
                 mens-undervaluing
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 ariseth
                 meerly
                 from
                 their
                 contempt
                 of
                 God.
                 All
                 sins
                 concernments
                 flow
                 from
                 its
                 Relation
                 unto
                 God.
                 And
                 as
                 mens
                 apprehensions
                 are
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 will
                 they
                 be
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 an
                 Opposition
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 frame
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 they
                 know
                 little
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 little
                 troubled
                 about
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 relates
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 reverenced
                 ,
                 sin
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 trifle
                 ,
                 forgiveness
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 nothing
                 ;
                 who
                 so
                 will
                 may
                 have
                 it
                 for
                 asking
                 .
                 But
                 shall
                 this
                 Atheistical
                 wickedness
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 be
                 called
                 a
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 to
                 make
                 God
                 an
                 Idol
                 ?
                 He
                 who
                 is
                 not
                 acquainted
                 with
                 Gods
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Purity
                 ,
                 who
                 knows
                 not
                 sins
                 desert
                 and
                 sinfulness
                 knows
                 nothing
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 From
                 the
                 
                   doctrine
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 commonly
                 preached
                 and
                 made
                 known
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   general
                   notion
                
                 begotten
                 in
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 forgive
                 .
                 Men
                 I
                 say
                 from
                 hence
                 ,
                 have
                 a
                 doctrinal
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 this
                 truth
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 
                 real
                 satisfactory
                 foundation
                 of
                 that
                 Apprehension
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 This
                 they
                 have
                 heard
                 ,
                 this
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 often
                 told
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 think
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 resolved
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 A
                 general
                 perswasion
                 hereof
                 ,
                 spreads
                 it self
                 over
                 all
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 doth
                 come
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 fiducially
                 resolved
                 into
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 an
                 Opinion
                 growing
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Report
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Some
                 relief
                 men
                 find
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 common
                 course
                 of
                 their
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 Worship
                 which
                 they
                 do
                 perform
                 ,
                 as
                 also
                 in
                 their
                 troables
                 and
                 distresses
                 ,
                 whether
                 internal
                 and
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 or
                 external
                 and
                 of
                 Providence
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 resolve
                 to
                 retain
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 speak
                 unto
                 ;
                 and
                 therein
                 manifest
                 the
                 differences
                 between
                 this
                 
                   common
                   prevailing
                   Apprehension
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Faiths
                 discovery
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 power
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 which
                 we
                 reject
                 is
                 loose
                 ,
                 and
                 general
                 ,
                 not
                 fixed
                 ,
                 ingrafted
                 ,
                 or
                 planted
                 on
                 the
                 mind
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 receive
                 things
                 ,
                 only
                 in
                 their
                 notion
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 their
                 power
                 .
                 It
                 wants
                 fixedness
                 and
                 foundation
                 :
                 which
                 defects
                 accompany
                 all
                 notions
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 that
                 are
                 only
                 retained
                 in
                 the
                 memory
                 ,
                 not
                 implanted
                 in
                 the
                 Judgement
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 general
                 thoughts
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 use
                 as
                 
                   occasion
                   serves
                
                 .
                 They
                 hear
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 merciful
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 such
                 they
                 intend
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 true
                 bottom
                 ,
                 rise
                 and
                 foundation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 whence
                 or
                 on
                 what
                 account
                 ,
                 the
                 pure
                 and
                 holy
                 God
                 who
                 will
                 do
                 no
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 the
                 Righteous
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 judgement
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   that
                   commit
                   sin
                   are
                   worthy
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                
                 should
                 yet
                 pardon
                 iniquity
                 transgression
                 and
                 sin
                 ,
                 they
                 weigh
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 consider
                 it
                 not
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 slight
                 and
                 notional
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 consider
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 .
                 They
                 take
                 it
                 for
                 granted
                 that
                 
                   so
                   it
                   is
                
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 never
                 put
                 seriously
                 upon
                 the
                 enquiry
                 ,
                 how
                 
                   it
                   comes
                   to
                   be
                   so
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 indeed
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 real
                 concernment
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 thousands
                 may
                 we
                 meet
                 withall
                 ,
                 who
                 take
                 it
                 for
                 granted
                 ,
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 never
                 yet
                 had
                 any
                 serious
                 exercise
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 consistency
                 with
                 his
                 holiness
                 and
                 justice
                 .
                 But
                 those
                 that
                 know
                 it
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 have
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 fixed
                 particularly
                 and
                 distinctly
                 on
                 their
                 minds
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 been
                 put
                 upon
                 
                 an
                 enquiry
                 into
                 the
                 rise
                 and
                 grounds
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 on
                 a
                 good
                 and
                 unquestionable
                 foundation
                 they
                 can
                 go
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   thee
                
                 .
                 They
                 see
                 how
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 
                   what
                   means
                
                 ,
                 more
                 glory
                 comes
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 punishing
                 ;
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 matter
                 that
                 the
                 
                   other
                   sort
                
                 of
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 solicitous
                 about
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 may
                 escape
                 punishment
                 ,
                 whether
                 God
                 have
                 any
                 glory
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 indifferent
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   first
                   Apprehension
                   ariseth
                   without
                   any
                   tryal
                
                 upon
                 enquiry
                 in
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 their
                 convictions
                 ,
                 and
                 distresses
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 been
                 put
                 to
                 make
                 enquiry
                 whether
                 this
                 thing
                 be
                 so
                 or
                 no.
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 perswasion
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 arrived
                 unto
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 seeking
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 result
                 of
                 a
                 deep
                 enquiry
                 after
                 peace
                 and
                 rest
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 antecedent
                 unto
                 
                   Tryal
                   and
                   Experience
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 not
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 Opinion
                 .
                 For
                 although
                 Faith
                 be
                 not
                 Experience
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 inseparable
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 every
                 
                   practical
                   habit
                
                 .
                 Distresses
                 in
                 their
                 consciences
                 have
                 been
                 prevented
                 by
                 this
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 not
                 removed
                 .
                 The
                 reason
                 why
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 troubled
                 about
                 their
                 sins
                 to
                 any
                 purpose
                 ,
                 is
                 from
                 a
                 persuasion
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 merciful
                 and
                 will
                 pardon
                 ;
                 when
                 indeed
                 none
                 can
                 really
                 ,
                 on
                 a
                 Gospel
                 account
                 ,
                 ordinarily
                 ,
                 have
                 that
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 troubled
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 make
                 this
                 discovery
                 by
                 faith
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 had
                 conflicts
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 deprived
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
                 have
                 accomplished
                 a
                 diligent
                 search
                 ,
                 whether
                 forgiveness
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 or
                 no.
                 The
                 perswasion
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 a
                 tryal
                 they
                 have
                 had
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 enquiry
                 how
                 things
                 stood
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 acceptation
                 of
                 their
                 Persons
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 vast
                 difference
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   one
                   sort
                
                 might
                 possibly
                 
                   have
                   had
                   trouble
                
                 in
                 their
                 consciences
                 about
                 sin
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 been
                 for
                 their
                 
                   Opinion
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ;
                 this
                 hath
                 prevented
                 ,
                 or
                 stifled
                 their
                 convictions
                 ,
                 not
                 healed
                 their
                 wounds
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 but
                 kept
                 them
                 from
                 being
                 wounded
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 security
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 here
                 lyes
                 the
                 ruine
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 perish
                 under
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 received
                 the
                 
                   general
                   notion
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 ;
                 it
                 floats
                 in
                 their
                 
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 presents
                 it self
                 to
                 their
                 relief
                 ,
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 .
                 Doth
                 God
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 under
                 an
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 upon
                 some
                 
                   great
                   sin
                
                 against
                 their
                 
                   ruling
                   light
                
                 begin
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 their
                 consciences
                 ;
                 before
                 their
                 conviction
                 can
                 ripen
                 ,
                 or
                 come
                 to
                 any
                 perfection
                 ,
                 before
                 it
                 draw
                 nigh
                 to
                 its
                 perfect
                 work
                 ,
                 they
                 choak
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 heal
                 their
                 consciences
                 with
                 this
                 notion
                 of
                 pardon
                 .
                 Many
                 a
                 man
                 between
                 the
                 Assembly
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 
                   dwelling
                   house
                
                 is
                 thus
                 cured
                 .
                 You
                 may
                 see
                 them
                 go
                 away
                 
                   shaking
                   their
                   heads
                
                 ,
                 and
                 striking
                 on
                 their
                 breasts
                 ,
                 and
                 before
                 they
                 come
                 home
                 ,
                 be
                 as
                 whole
                 as
                 ever
                 :
                 Well!
                 
                   God
                   is
                   merciful
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   pardon
                   ,
                
                 hath
                 wrought
                 the
                 cure
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 sort
                 ,
                 have
                 obtained
                 their
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 result
                 of
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 full
                 conviction
                 .
                 Tryals
                 they
                 have
                 had
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 one
                 (
                 which
                 we
                 reject
                 )
                 worketh
                 no
                 Love
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 no
                 Delight
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 Reverence
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 contempt
                 ,
                 and
                 commonness
                 of
                 Spirit
                 in
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 none
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 that
                 deal
                 worse
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 an
                 
                   ungrounded
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 obey
                 him
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 on
                 other
                 motives
                 and
                 considerations
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 not
                 render
                 any
                 thing
                 they
                 do
                 acceptable
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 on
                 this
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 the
                 Creation
                 they
                 may
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 great
                 and
                 powerful
                 they
                 may
                 fear
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 sense
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 any
                 such
                 ends
                 or
                 purposes
                 ,
                 hath
                 no
                 power
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 Carnal
                 boldness
                 ,
                 formality
                 ,
                 and
                 despising
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 common
                 issues
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 notion
                 and
                 perswasion
                 .
                 Indeed
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 generation
                 of
                 great
                 sinners
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 a
                 general
                 apprehension
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 special
                 power
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 openly
                 ,
                 or
                 secretly
                 ,
                 in
                 fleshly
                 or
                 spiritual
                 sins
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 
                   great
                   sinners
                
                 among
                 men
                 .
                 Where
                 faith
                 makes
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 otherwise
                 .
                 Great
                 Love
                 ,
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 its
                 attendants
                 .
                 
                   Mary
                   Magdalen
                
                 loved
                 much
                 ,
                 because
                 much
                 was
                 forgiven
                 .
                 
                   Great
                   Love
                
                 will
                 spring
                 out
                 of
                 
                   great
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 
                   maist
                   be
                   feared
                
                 .
                 No
                 unbeliever
                 ,
                 doth
                 truly
                 and
                 experimentally
                 know
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 this
                 inference
                 .
                 But
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 when
                 men
                 
                   fear
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Goodness
                   ,
                
                 Hos.
                 3.
                 5.
                 1
                 
                 say
                 then
                 ,
                 where
                 pardoning
                 mercy
                 is
                 truly
                 apprehended
                 ,
                 where
                 faith
                 makes
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 endeared
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 possessed
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 springs
                 ,
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 Delight
                 ,
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 116.
                 1
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 This
                 
                   notional
                   apprehension
                
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 begets
                 no
                 serious
                 
                   through
                   hatred
                   and
                   detestation
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 is
                 prevalent
                 to
                 a
                 relinquishment
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 it
                 rather
                 secretly
                 insinuates
                 into
                 the
                 soul
                 encouragements
                 unto
                 a
                 continuance
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 lessen
                 and
                 extenuate
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 support
                 the
                 soul
                 against
                 its
                 convictions
                 .
                 So
                 Jude
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 turn
                 the
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   into
                   lasciviousness
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 4.
                 and
                 sayes
                 he
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 
                   ungodly
                   men
                
                 ;
                 let
                 them
                 profess
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 
                   ungodly
                   men
                
                 ;
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 they
                 turn
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 into
                 lasciviousness
                 ?
                 Is
                 Grace
                 capable
                 of
                 a
                 conversion
                 into
                 Lust
                 or
                 Sin
                 ?
                 Will
                 what
                 was
                 once
                 Grace
                 ,
                 ever
                 become
                 Wantonness
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 Objective
                 not
                 Subjective
                 Grace
                 ;
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 real
                 substance
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 intended
                 .
                 The
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 thus
                 abused
                 .
                 From
                 hence
                 do
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 only
                 a
                 
                   general
                   notion
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 habitually
                 draw
                 secret
                 encouragements
                 to
                 sin
                 and
                 folly
                 .
                 Paul
                 also
                 lets
                 us
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 carnal
                 men
                 coming
                 to
                 a
                 doctrinal
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 Gospel
                 Grace
                 ,
                 are
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 make
                 such
                 conclusions
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 will
                 appear
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 how
                 unspeakably
                 this
                 
                   glorious
                   Grace
                
                 hath
                 been
                 perverted
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 It
                 would
                 be
                 well
                 for
                 many
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 never
                 heard
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 otherwise
                 where
                 this
                 Revelation
                 is
                 received
                 indeed
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 
                   believing
                   ,
                   Rom.
                
                 6.
                 14.
                 
                 Our
                 being
                 
                   under
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 belief
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 great
                 preservative
                 from
                 our
                 being
                 
                   under
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 Faith
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 the
                 Principle
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 Titus
                 2.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   general
                   notion
                
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 brings
                 with
                 it
                 no
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 no
                 Rest
                 to
                 the
                 soul.
                 
                   Flashes
                   of
                   joy
                
                 it
                 may
                 ,
                 
                   abiding
                   rest
                
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 .
                 The
                 truth
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 fluctuates
                 to
                 and
                 fro
                 in
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 Wills
                 and
                 Affections
                 ,
                 have
                 no
                 solid
                 delight
                 nor
                 rest
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 not
                 withstanding
                 all
                 that
                 profession
                 that
                 is
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 
                   ultimately
                   resolve
                
                 their
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 
                 into
                 themselves
                 .
                 As
                 their
                 apprehensions
                 are
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 doing
                 good
                 or
                 evil
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 
                   ruling
                   light
                
                 whatever
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 peace
                 and
                 rest
                 are
                 they
                 secretly
                 tossed
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 .
                 Every
                 one
                 in
                 his
                 several
                 way
                 pleaseth
                 himself
                 with
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 answer
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 convictions
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 disquieted
                 
                   as
                   to
                   his
                   state
                   and
                   condition
                   ,
                
                 according
                 as
                 he
                 seems
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 short
                 thereof
                 .
                 To
                 make
                 a
                 full
                 life
                 of
                 contentation
                 upon
                 pardon
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 One
                 duty
                 yields
                 them
                 more
                 true
                 repose
                 ,
                 than
                 many
                 thoughts
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 But
                 faith
                 finds
                 sweetness
                 and
                 Rest
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 being
                 thereby
                 apprehended
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 harbour
                 of
                 the
                 soul.
                 It
                 leads
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 God
                 as
                 Good
                 ,
                 to
                 Christ
                 as
                 Rest.
                 Fading
                 
                   evanid
                   joyes
                
                 ,
                 do
                 oft-times
                 attend
                 the
                 one
                 ;
                 but
                 
                   solid
                   delight
                
                 ,
                 with
                 constant
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 fruits
                 only
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 .
              
               
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 Those
                 who
                 have
                 the
                 former
                 only
                 ,
                 take
                 up
                 their
                 perswasion
                 on
                 
                   false
                   grounds
                
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 be
                 true
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 cannot
                 but
                 use
                 it
                 unto
                 
                   false
                   ends
                
                 and
                 purposes
                 ,
                 besides
                 its
                 natural
                 and
                 genuine
                 tendency
                 .
                 For
                 their
                 grounds
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 discovered
                 when
                 I
                 come
                 to
                 treat
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 nature
                 of
                 Gospel
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 End
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 used
                 generally
                 only
                 to
                 fill
                 up
                 what
                 is
                 wanting
                 .
                 Self-righteousness
                 is
                 their
                 bottom
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 too
                 short
                 ,
                 or
                 narrow
                 to
                 cover
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 piece
                 it
                 out
                 by
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Where
                 conscience
                 accuses
                 ,
                 this
                 must
                 supply
                 the
                 defect
                 .
                 Faith
                 layes
                 it
                 on
                 its
                 proper
                 foundation
                 ;
                 of
                 which
                 afterwards
                 also
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 useth
                 it
                 to
                 its
                 proper
                 End
                 ;
                 namely
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 sole
                 and
                 only
                 ground
                 of
                 our
                 Acceptation
                 with
                 God.
                 That
                 is
                 the
                 proper
                 use
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   may
                   be
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 for
                 when
                 the
                 foundation
                 is
                 pardon
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 superstructure
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 Grace
                 .
                 From
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 pretences
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 insinuated
                 in
                 the
                 Objection
                 now
                 removed
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 thing
                 to
                 have
                 
                   Gospel
                   forgiveness
                
                 discovered
                 unto
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 a
                 saving
                 manner
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   The
                   true
                   Nature
                   of
                   Gospel
                   forgiveness
                   .
                   It
                   s
                   Relation
                   to
                   the
                   Goodness
                   ,
                   Grace
                   ,
                   and
                   Will
                   of
                   God.
                   To
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ.
                   To
                   the
                   Promise
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                   The
                   Considerations
                   of
                   Faith
                   about
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 The
                 difficulties
                 that
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 
                   faiths
                   discovery
                
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 whence
                 it
                 appears
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 greater
                 weight
                 and
                 importance
                 ,
                 than
                 it
                 is
                 commonly
                 apprehended
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 insisted
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 
                   foregoing
                   Discourse
                
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 yet
                 remaining
                 another
                 ground
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Truth
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 Nature
                 and
                 Greatness
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 discovered
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 wherein
                 it
                 doth
                 consist
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 comprizes
                 and
                 relates
                 unto
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 importance
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 Proposition
                 before
                 laid
                 down
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 take
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 strictly
                 and
                 precisely
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   act
                   of
                   pardoning
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 shall
                 I
                 dispute
                 what
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 it
                 doth
                 consist
                 .
                 Consciences
                 that
                 come
                 with
                 
                   sin
                   entanglements
                
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 know
                 nothing
                 of
                 such
                 disputes
                 .
                 Nor
                 will
                 this
                 
                   Expression
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 bear
                 any
                 such
                 restriction
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 regard
                 only
                 
                   actual
                   condonation
                
                 or
                 pardon
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 enquire
                 into
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 that
                 pardon
                 ,
                 which
                 poor
                 convinced
                 troubled
                 souls
                 seek
                 after
                 ;
                 and
                 which
                 the
                 Scripture
                 proposeth
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 relief
                 and
                 rest
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 handle
                 this
                 absolutely
                 neither
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Relation
                 to
                 the
                 Truth
                 under
                 consideration
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   great
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 to
                 attain
                 unto
                 a
                 
                   true
                   Gospel
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 As
                 was
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 enquired
                 after
                 ,
                 hath
                 Relation
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   Gracious
                   Heart
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 .
                 Two
                 things
                 I
                 understand
                 hereby
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Infinite
                     Goodness
                     and
                     Graciousness
                     of
                     his
                     Nature
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Soveraign
                     purpose
                     of
                     his
                     Will
                     and
                     Grace
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 considerable
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   infinite
                   Goodness
                   of
                   his
                   nature
                
                 .
                 Sin
                 stands
                 in
                 a
                 contrariety
                 unto
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 Rebellion
                 against
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 an
                 Opposition
                 to
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 a
                 Provocation
                 to
                 his
                 Justice
                 ,
                 a
                 Rejection
                 of
                 his
                 yoke
                 ,
                 a
                 casting
                 off
                 ,
                 what
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 of
                 that
                 dependance
                 which
                 a
                 Creature
                 hath
                 on
                 its
                 Creator
                 .
                 That
                 God
                 then
                 should
                 have
                 pity
                 and
                 compassion
                 on
                 sinners
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 whose
                 sins
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 all
                 this
                 evil
                 ,
                 and
                 inconceivably
                 more
                 than
                 we
                 can
                 comprehend
                 ,
                 it
                 argues
                 an
                 infinitely
                 Gracious
                 ,
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 loving
                 heart
                 and
                 nature
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 doth
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 suitably
                 to
                 the
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 Acts.
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 Effects
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 what
                 ever
                 God
                 proposeth
                 as
                 an
                 encouragement
                 for
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 hath
                 a
                 special
                 influence
                 into
                 the
                 Forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 nothing
                 can
                 encourage
                 a
                 
                   sinner
                   as
                   such
                
                 ,
                 but
                 under
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 respects
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 That
                 this
                 Graciousness
                 of
                 Gods
                 nature
                 ,
                 lyes
                 at
                 the
                 head
                 or
                 spring
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 the
                 root
                 from
                 whence
                 forgiveness
                 doth
                 grow
                 ,
                 is
                 manifest
                 from
                 that
                 solemn
                 Proclamation
                 which
                 he
                 made
                 of
                 old
                 of
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 therein
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 God
                 assuredly
                 is
                 ;
                 what
                 by
                 himself
                 he
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 )
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   merciful
                   and
                   gracious
                   ,
                   long
                   suffering
                   ,
                   and
                   abundant
                   in
                   Goodness
                   and
                   Truth
                   ,
                   keeping
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                   ,
                   forgiving
                   iniuity
                   and
                   transgression
                   and
                   sin
                   .
                
                 His
                 forgiving
                 of
                 iniquity
                 flows
                 from
                 hence
                 ;
                 that
                 in
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 
                   merciful
                   ,
                   gracious
                   ,
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                   .
                
                 Were
                 he
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 infinite
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 vain
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 Having
                 made
                 this
                 known
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 declared
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 he
                 in
                 many
                 places
                 proposeth
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 relief
                 ,
                 a
                 refuge
                 for
                 sinners
                 ,
                 an
                 encouragement
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 mercy
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 9.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   They
                   that
                   know
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   will
                   put
                   their
                   trust
                   in
                   thee
                   .
                
                 It
                 will
                 encourage
                 them
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 others
                 
                 have
                 no
                 foundation
                 of
                 their
                 confidence
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 this
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 indeed
                 made
                 known
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 hinder
                 why
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 repair
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 Isa.
                 50.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   among
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   feareth
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   that
                   obeyeth
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   his
                   Servant
                   ,
                   that
                   walketh
                   in
                   darkness
                   ,
                   and
                   hath
                   no
                   light
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   stay
                   upon
                   his
                   God.
                
                 Not
                 only
                 sinners
                 ,
                 but
                 sinners
                 in
                 great
                 distress
                 are
                 here
                 spoken
                 unto
                 .
                 Darkness
                 of
                 state
                 or
                 condition
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 denotes
                 every
                 thing
                 of
                 disconsolation
                 and
                 trouble
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 then
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 where
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 some
                 light
                 ,
                 some
                 relief
                 ,
                 though
                 darkness
                 be
                 predominant
                 is
                 sad
                 and
                 disconsolate
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 walk
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 continue
                 a
                 course
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 
                   no
                   light
                
                 ,
                 no
                 discovery
                 of
                 help
                 or
                 relief
                 ;
                 this
                 seems
                 an
                 overwhelming
                 condition
                 ;
                 yet
                 sinners
                 in
                 this
                 estate
                 are
                 called
                 
                   to
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 I
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 but
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 which
                 influenceth
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 encourageth
                 to
                 an
                 Expectation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 of
                 any
                 use
                 unto
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 one
                 in
                 so
                 great
                 distress
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 yet
                 is
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 here
                 sent
                 only
                 to
                 the
                 
                   NAME
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 his
                 gracious
                 heart
                 and
                 nature
                 is
                 revealed
                 ;
                 That
                 then
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 Fountain
                 and
                 Spring
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 John
                 would
                 work
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 upon
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   God
                   is
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 1
                 
                   Ep.
                   Chap.
                
                 4.
                 8.
                 or
                 one
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 infinitely
                 Gracious
                 ,
                 Tender
                 ,
                 Good
                 ,
                 Compassionate
                 ,
                 Loving
                 Nature
                 .
                 Infinite
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 is
                 the
                 soyl
                 wherein
                 forgiveness
                 grows
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 impossible
                 this
                 flower
                 should
                 spring
                 from
                 any
                 other
                 root
                 .
                 Unless
                 this
                 be
                 revealed
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 not
                 revealed
                 .
                 To
                 consider
                 pardon
                 meerly
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 terminated
                 on
                 our selves
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 it
                 flows
                 from
                 God
                 ;
                 will
                 bring
                 neither
                 profit
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 nor
                 Glory
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 also
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 our
                 design
                 in
                 hand
                 )
                 will
                 make
                 it
                 appear
                 ,
                 That
                 this
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 whereof
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 is
                 indeed
                 
                   no
                   common
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 discovery
                 .
                 Let
                 men
                 come
                 with
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 deep
                 and
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 find
                 it
                 no
                 such
                 easie
                 and
                 light
                 matter
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 their
                 hearts
                 truly
                 and
                 throughly
                 apprehensive
                 of
                 
                   this
                   loving
                   and
                   gracious
                   nature
                
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 pardon
                 .
                 
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 easie
                 matter
                 to
                 say
                 so
                 in
                 common
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 soul
                 will
                 not
                 find
                 it
                 so
                 easie
                 to
                 believe
                 it
                 for
                 it self
                 .
                 What
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 before
                 concerning
                 the
                 ingrafted
                 notions
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 about
                 the
                 
                   Justice
                   ,
                   Holiness
                
                 and
                 severity
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 here
                 take
                 place
                 .
                 Though
                 men
                 profess
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 Gracious
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 Aversation
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 doth
                 abundantly
                 manifest
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 believe
                 what
                 they
                 say
                 and
                 profess
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 did
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 delight
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   they
                   that
                   know
                   his
                   name
                   will
                   put
                   their
                   trust
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 So
                 said
                 the
                 slothful
                 servant
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 I
                 knew
                 that
                 
                   thou
                   wast
                   austere
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 deal
                 withal
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 he
                 professed
                 otherwise
                 before
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 lay
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 when
                 it
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 tryal
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 unto
                 whom
                 this
                 discovery
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 ;
                 even
                 a
                 spiritual
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 gracious
                 ,
                 loving
                 heart
                 and
                 nature
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 spring
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 follows
                 ;
                 And
                 the
                 fountain
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 infinitely
                 sweet
                 from
                 whence
                 such
                 streams
                 do
                 flow
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 considers
                 the
                 glorious
                 fabrick
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 in
                 them
                 contained
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 conclude
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 the
                 product
                 of
                 
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                   and
                   Power
                
                 ;
                 nothing
                 less
                 ,
                 or
                 under
                 them
                 could
                 have
                 brought
                 forth
                 such
                 an
                 effect
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 that
                 really
                 considereth
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 looks
                 on
                 it
                 with
                 a
                 spiritual
                 eye
                 ,
                 must
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 comes
                 from
                 
                   infinite
                   Goodness
                   and
                   Grace
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Hearts
                 of
                 sinners
                 are
                 exercised
                 about
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 deal
                 for
                 pardon
                 .
                 Psal.
                 86.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   Lord
                   art
                   good
                   and
                   ready
                   to
                   forgive
                   .
                
                 Nehem.
                 9.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   ready
                   to
                   pardon
                   ,
                   gracious
                   and
                   merciful
                   ,
                   slow
                   to
                   anger
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   great
                   kindness
                   .
                
                 And
                 Micah
                 7.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   like
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   that
                   pardoneth
                   iniquity
                   —
                   because
                   he
                   delighteth
                   in
                   Mercy
                   .
                
                 And
                 God
                 encourageth
                 them
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 whereever
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   forgives
                   sins
                
                 and
                 blots
                 out
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 sake
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 names
                 sake
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 deal
                 with
                 sinners
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Goodness
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   Gracious
                   Nature
                   .
                
                 So
                 Hos.
                 11.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   execute
                   the
                   fierceness
                   of
                   mine
                   Anger
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   return
                   to
                   destroy
                
                 Ephraim
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   Man.
                
                 Were
                 there
                 no
                 more
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Compassion
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 shewed
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 than
                 it
                 is
                 possible
                 should
                 be
                 treasured
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 
                   heart
                   of
                   a
                   man
                
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 impossible
                 that
                 Ephraim
                 should
                 be
                 spared
                 ;
                 But
                 saith
                 
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   God
                   and
                   not
                   Man
                
                 ;
                 Consider
                 the
                 infinite
                 largeness
                 ,
                 bounty
                 ,
                 and
                 goodness
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 yet
                 hope
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 sinner
                 is
                 in
                 good
                 earnest
                 seeking
                 after
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 he
                 is
                 more
                 solicitous
                 about
                 than
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 him
                 ;
                 nothing
                 that
                 he
                 more
                 labours
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 Sin
                 and
                 Satan
                 labour
                 more
                 to
                 hide
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 This
                 he
                 rolls
                 in
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 exercises
                 his
                 thoughts
                 about
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 ever
                 that
                 voyce
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 27.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Fury
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   me
                
                 ,
                 sound
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 relieved
                 from
                 his
                 great
                 distresses
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 seems
                 to
                 intend
                 the
                 prevention
                 or
                 a
                 removal
                 of
                 ,
                 John
                 16.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 
                   I
                   say
                   not
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   pray
                   the
                   Father
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Father
                   himself
                   loveth
                   you
                   .
                
                 They
                 had
                 good
                 thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   tender
                   heart
                
                 and
                 care
                 of
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 the
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 towards
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 what
                 acceptance
                 shall
                 they
                 find
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 Will
                 Christ
                 pray
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 find
                 favour
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Love
                   of
                   his
                   heart
                
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   himself
                   loveth
                   you
                
                 .
                 If
                 this
                 then
                 belongeth
                 to
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 who
                 ever
                 hath
                 sought
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 knoweth
                 that
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 certainly
                 no
                 
                   common
                   discovery
                
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 revealed
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 clouds
                 and
                 darkness
                 that
                 are
                 raised
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 between
                 us
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Throne
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 dispelled
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 fire
                 and
                 storms
                 ,
                 and
                 tempests
                 that
                 are
                 kindled
                 and
                 stirred
                 up
                 about
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 removed
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 his
                 glorious
                 face
                 unvailed
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 holy
                 heart
                 laid
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 view
                 given
                 of
                 those
                 
                   infinite
                   treasures
                
                 and
                 stores
                 of
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Love
                 and
                 Kindness
                 ,
                 which
                 have
                 had
                 an
                 unchangeable
                 habitation
                 therein
                 from
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 these
                 eternal
                 springs
                 of
                 sorbearance
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 none
                 but
                 Christ
                 can
                 accomplish
                 and
                 bring
                 about
                 ,
                 John
                 17.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 all
                 .
                 This
                 eternal
                 Ocean
                 that
                 is
                 infinitely
                 satisfied
                 with
                 its
                 own
                 fulness
                 and
                 perfection
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 naturally
                 yield
                 forth
                 streams
                 for
                 our
                 refreshment
                 .
                 Mercy
                 and
                 pardon
                 do
                 not
                 come
                 forth
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 Light
                 doth
                 from
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 or
                 Water
                 from
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 necessary
                 consequence
                 of
                 their
                 natures
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 will
                 or
                 no.
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 necessarily
                 follow
                 that
                 any
                 one
                 must
                 be
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 because
                 
                 God
                 is
                 infinitely
                 Gracious
                 .
                 For
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 do
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 ?
                 
                   Who
                   hath
                   given
                   first
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   it
                   should
                   be
                   recompenced
                   unto
                   him
                   again
                   ?
                
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 35.
                 
                 All
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 Gods
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 sole
                 keeping
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Will
                
                 and
                 pleasure
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 his
                 great
                 Glory
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 33.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 
                   Shew
                   me
                   thy
                   glory
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   Moses
                   .
                   And
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   all
                   my
                   Goodness
                   pass
                   before
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   proclaim
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   before
                   thee
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   Gracious
                   to
                   whom
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   Gracious
                   .
                
                 Upon
                 that
                 proclamation
                 of
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   merciful
                   ,
                   gracious
                   ,
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                   ,
                
                 some
                 might
                 conclude
                 that
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 otherwise
                 with
                 any
                 but
                 well
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 
                   such
                   a
                   one
                
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 men
                 need
                 scarce
                 be
                 beholding
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 Nay
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 great
                 glory
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   gracious
                   to
                   whom
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   gracious
                   .
                
                 There
                 must
                 be
                 an
                 interposition
                 of
                 a
                 
                   free
                   Act
                
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Will
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 us
                 according
                 to
                 this
                 his
                 
                   abundant
                   goodness
                
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 interest
                 therein
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 call
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 
                   good
                   pleasure
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   purposed
                   in
                   himself
                
                 ;
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 9.
                 or
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 termed
                 ,
                 v.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 
                   The
                   good
                   pleasure
                   of
                   his
                   Will
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   purposed
                   to
                   the
                   praise
                   of
                   his
                   glorious
                   grace
                   .
                
                 This
                 free
                 and
                 gracious
                 pleasure
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   purpose
                   of
                   his
                   Will
                
                 to
                 act
                 towards
                 sinners
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 
                   abundant
                   goodness
                
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 thing
                 that
                 influences
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 treat
                 .
                 Pardon
                 flows
                 immediately
                 from
                 a
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Act
                
                 of
                 free
                 Grace
                 .
                 This
                 free
                 purpose
                 of
                 Gods
                 will
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 pardoning
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 is
                 indeed
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 principally
                 intended
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 forgive
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 is
                 agreeable
                 unto
                 his
                 nature
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Mysterie
                 of
                 this
                 Grace
                 is
                 deep
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 eternal
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 incomprehensible
                 .
                 Few
                 there
                 are
                 whose
                 hearts
                 are
                 raised
                 to
                 a
                 contemplation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Men
                 rest
                 and
                 content
                 themselves
                 in
                 a
                 general
                 notion
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 advantagious
                 to
                 their
                 souls
                 ;
                 freed
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 from
                 punishment
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 forgiven
                 they
                 enquire
                 not
                 .
                 So
                 what
                 they
                 know
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 come
                 easily
                 by
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 find
                 in
                 the
                 issue
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 stand
                 them
                 in
                 little
                 stead
                 .
                 But
                 these
                 fountains
                 of
                 Gods
                 actings
                 ,
                 are
                 revealed
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 fountains
                 of
                 our
                 comforts
                 .
              
               
               
                 Now
                 of
                 this
                 purpose
                 of
                 Gods
                 Grace
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 several
                 Acts
                 ,
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 relating
                 unto
                 Gospel
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 his
                 purpose
                 of
                 sending
                 his
                 Son
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 great
                 means
                 of
                 procuring
                 ,
                 of
                 purchasing
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Though
                 God
                 be
                 infinitely
                 and
                 incomprehensibly
                 gracious
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 purpose
                 to
                 exert
                 his
                 Grace
                 and
                 Goodness
                 toward
                 sinners
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 will
                 so
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 do
                 it
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 prejudicial
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 His
                 Justice
                 must
                 be
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 holy
                 indignation
                 against
                 sin
                 made
                 known
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 he
                 purposeth
                 
                   to
                   send
                   his
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 
                   sent
                   him
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 no
                 way
                 to
                 eclipse
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Better
                 we
                 should
                 all
                 eternally
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 lose
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 his
                 glory
                 .
                 This
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   God
                   set
                   him
                   forth
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   propitiation
                   through
                   faith
                   in
                   his
                   blood
                   ,
                   to
                   declare
                   his
                   righteousness
                   for
                   the
                   remission
                   of
                   sins
                   that
                   are
                   past
                   .
                
                 The
                 Remission
                 of
                 sins
                 is
                 the
                 thing
                 aimed
                 at
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 so
                 brought
                 about
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 therein
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 mercy
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 declared
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 it
                 be
                 brought
                 forth
                 by
                 a
                 propitiation
                 ,
                 or
                 making
                 of
                 an
                 Attonement
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 So
                 John
                 3.
                 16.
                 1
                 
                 John
                 4.
                 9.
                 
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 This
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 also
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 administred
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 It
                 comes
                 forth
                 from
                 this
                 eternal
                 purpose
                 of
                 making
                 way
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 the
                 
                   dispensation
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 greatly
                 heightens
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 this
                 discovery
                 .
                 Men
                 who
                 have
                 slight
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 hearts
                 were
                 never
                 awed
                 with
                 his
                 dread
                 or
                 greatness
                 ,
                 who
                 never
                 seriously
                 considered
                 his
                 purity
                 and
                 holiness
                 ,
                 may
                 think
                 it
                 no
                 great
                 matter
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 pardon
                 sin
                 .
                 But
                 do
                 they
                 consider
                 the
                 way
                 whereby
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 about
                 ;
                 even
                 by
                 the
                 
                   sending
                   of
                   his
                   only
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 afterwards
                 .
                 Neither
                 was
                 there
                 
                   any
                   other
                   way
                
                 whereby
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 done
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 now
                 lay
                 aside
                 
                   common
                   thoughts
                
                 ,
                 Assent
                 upon
                 reports
                 and
                 tradition
                 ,
                 and
                 rightly
                 weigh
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 Doubtless
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   great
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 out
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 (
                 we
                 know
                 somewhat
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 )
                 by
                 
                   sending
                   his
                   only
                   Son
                   to
                   dye
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 how
                 little
                 is
                 this
                 really
                 believed
                 ,
                 even
                 by
                 them
                 who
                 make
                 a
                 profession
                 
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 and
                 what
                 mean
                 thoughts
                 are
                 entertained
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 men
                 seek
                 for
                 pardon
                 ?
                 
                   Immunity
                   from
                   Punishment
                
                 is
                 the
                 utmost
                 that
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 aims
                 and
                 desires
                 of
                 most
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 all
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 exercised
                 in
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 sin
                 .
                 Such
                 men
                 think
                 and
                 will
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 an
                 easie
                 task
                 in
                 hand
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 to
                 prove
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 ease
                 lyes
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 ignorance
                 and
                 darkness
                 ;
                 If
                 ever
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 search
                 after
                 it
                 indeed
                 ,
                 to
                 enquire
                 into
                 the
                 Nature
                 ,
                 Reasons
                 ,
                 Causes
                 ,
                 fountain
                 and
                 springs
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 give
                 another
                 account
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 center
                 of
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ;
                 in
                 him
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 Treasures
                 of
                 it
                 hid
                 .
                 And
                 surely
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 thing
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Christ
                 revealed
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 When
                 Believers
                 deal
                 about
                 pardon
                 ,
                 their
                 faith
                 exercises
                 it self
                 about
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 with
                 whom
                 the
                 soul
                 hath
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 hath
                 sent
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   Christ
                
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 freely
                 given
                 out
                 .
                 General
                 notions
                 of
                 impunity
                 they
                 dwell
                 not
                 on
                 ,
                 they
                 pass
                 not
                 for
                 :
                 They
                 have
                 a
                 closer
                 converse
                 with
                 God
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 satisfied
                 with
                 such
                 thoughts
                 .
                 They
                 enquire
                 into
                 the
                 graciousness
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   good
                   pleasure
                
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 ;
                 they
                 ponder
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Love
                 in
                 
                   sending
                   his
                   Son.
                
                 If
                 these
                 springs
                 be
                 not
                 clear
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 streams
                 will
                 yield
                 them
                 but
                 little
                 refreshment
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 that
                 we
                 
                   seek
                   after
                   salvation
                
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 enquire
                 and
                 
                   search
                   diligently
                
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 manner
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Angels
                   desire
                   to
                   bow
                   down
                   and
                   look
                   into
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 some
                 think
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 got
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 words
                 
                   about
                   them
                
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 gotten
                 a
                 sufficient
                 comprehension
                 
                   of
                   them
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 doubtless
                 one
                 Reason
                 why
                 many
                 who
                 truly
                 believe
                 ,
                 do
                 yet
                 so
                 fluctuate
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 never
                 exercised
                 saith
                 to
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 springs
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 its
                 eternal
                 fountains
                 ;
                 but
                 have
                 meerly
                 dwelt
                 on
                 
                   actual
                   condonation
                
                 .
                 However
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 these
                 things
                 lye
                 utterly
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 consideration
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 pretenders
                 to
                 an
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 truth
                 we
                 have
                 in
                 hand
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 another
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Act
                   of
                   Gods
                   Will
                
                 to
                 
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 his
                 eternal
                 
                   designation
                   of
                   the
                   persons
                
                 who
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 this
                 mercy
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 not
                 left
                 this
                 thing
                 to
                 hazard
                 and
                 uncertainties
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 be
                 unknown
                 to
                 him
                 who
                 should
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 not
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 none
                 ever
                 are
                 made
                 
                   partakers
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 eternally
                 and
                 graciously
                 designed
                 thereunto
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 declares
                 it
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 the
                 rise
                 is
                 his
                 eternal
                 Predestination
                 ;
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   glory
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 the
                 means
                 ,
                 Redemption
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 .
                 None
                 ever
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 thereof
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 this
                 
                   Act
                   of
                   Gods
                   Will
                   and
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 which
                 thereupon
                 hath
                 a
                 peculiar
                 influence
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 respected
                 in
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 abused
                 by
                 pride
                 ,
                 profaneness
                 and
                 unbelief
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 may
                 the
                 whole
                 work
                 of
                 Gods
                 Grace
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 place
                 and
                 use
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   signal
                   influence
                
                 into
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 consolation
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 also
                 other
                 Acts
                 of
                 this
                 purpose
                 of
                 Gods
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 giving
                 sinners
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 sinners
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 insist
                 upon
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 sufficiently
                 discovered
                 in
                 that
                 one
                 explained
                 already
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Forgiveness
                 hath
                 respect
                 unto
                 the
                 Propitiation
                 made
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 was
                 declared
                 in
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 .
                 Indeed
                 here
                 lyes
                 the
                 knot
                 and
                 center
                 of
                 Gospel
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 flows
                 from
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 springs
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Grave
                 of
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 Thus
                 Elihu
                 describes
                 it
                 ,
                 Job
                 33.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   gracious
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   saith
                   ,
                   deliver
                   him
                   from
                   going
                   down
                   to
                   the
                   pit
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   found
                   a
                   ransom
                   .
                
                 The
                 whole
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 lyes
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 There
                 is
                 
                   Gods
                   gracious
                   and
                   merciful
                   heart
                
                 towards
                 a
                 sinner
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   is
                   gracious
                   unto
                   him
                
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 There
                 is
                 
                   Actual
                   Condonation
                
                 it self
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 shall
                 treat
                 afterward
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   saith
                   ,
                   deliver
                   him
                   from
                   going
                   down
                   to
                   the
                   pit
                   .
                
                 And
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 center
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 ,
                 wherein
                 
                   Gods
                   gracious
                   heart
                
                 and
                 
                   actual
                   pardon
                
                 do
                 meet
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 ransome
                 ,
                 the
                 propitiation
                 or
                 attonement
                 
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   found
                   a
                   ransome
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 same
                 is
                 expressed
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   My
                   rightoous
                   servant
                   shall
                   justifie
                   many
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   shall
                   bear
                   their
                   iniquities
                   .
                
                 Of
                 the
                 justification
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 Absolution
                 or
                 pardon
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 part
                 .
                 This
                 ariseth
                 from
                 Christs
                 bearing
                 of
                 their
                 iniquities
                 .
                 Therein
                 he
                 
                   finished
                   the
                   transgression
                   ,
                   made
                   an
                   end
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   Reconciliation
                   for
                   iniquity
                
                 ;
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
                 Even
                 all
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 consequently
                 the
                 whole
                 worship
                 of
                 the
                 Old
                 Testament
                 ,
                 evinced
                 this
                 Relation
                 between
                 forgiveness
                 and
                 bloodshedding
                 ;
                 whence
                 the
                 Apostle
                 concludes
                 ,
                 that
                 without
                 
                   shedding
                   of
                   blood
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   remission
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 22.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 all
                 pardon
                 ariseth
                 from
                 bloodsheding
                 ,
                 even
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 have
                 
                   Redemption
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 17.
                 
                 Our
                 Redemption
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 is
                 our
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 
                   all
                   actually
                   pardoned
                
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 for
                 thereunto
                 must
                 be
                 added
                 Gospel
                 condonation
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 afterwards
                 ;
                 but
                 thereby
                 it
                 is
                 procured
                 ,
                 the
                 grant
                 of
                 pardon
                 is
                 therein
                 sealed
                 ,
                 and
                 security
                 given
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 be
                 made
                 out
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 To
                 which
                 purpose
                 is
                 that
                 discourse
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 The
                 work
                 there
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 proceeds
                 from
                 Grace
                 ,
                 is
                 managed
                 to
                 the
                 interest
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 is
                 carryed
                 on
                 by
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 issues
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 now
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 relates
                 variously
                 to
                 the
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   Pardon
                   is
                   purchased
                   and
                   procured
                   by
                   it
                   .
                
                 Our
                 Redemption
                 is
                 our
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 cause
                 contains
                 the
                 effect
                 .
                 No
                 soul
                 is
                 pardoned
                 but
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 as
                 the
                 
                   procuring
                   cause
                
                 of
                 that
                 pardon
                 .
                 Hence
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 washed
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   In
                   himself
                   ,
                   to
                   have
                   purged
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 3.
                 by
                 
                   one
                   offering
                   to
                   have
                   taken
                   away
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 and
                 for
                 ever
                 to
                 have
                 perfected
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 sanctified
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 
                   ransome
                   and
                   propitiation
                
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 2.
                 2.
                 to
                 have
                 made
                 
                   an
                   end
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 
                   made
                   Reconciliation
                   for
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   his
                   people
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 17.
                 
                 God
                 hath
                 enclosed
                 his
                 rich
                 stores
                 of
                 pardon
                 and
                 mercy
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Because
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 pardon
                 is
                 ratified
                 and
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 nothing
                 is
                 wanting
                 to
                 our
                 compleat
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 pleading
                 the
                 Promise
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 
                 him
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   All
                   the
                   Promises
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   are
                   in
                   him
                   Yea
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   him
                   Amen
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 faithfully
                 ,
                 and
                 irrevocably
                 ,
                 and
                 immutably
                 established
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 having
                 told
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   would
                   be
                   merciful
                   to
                   our
                   sins
                   and
                   iniquities
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 12.
                 
                 He
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 undertaking
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 this
                 Covenant
                 is
                 become
                 a
                 
                   Testament
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 9.
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 So
                 ratified
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 that
                 mercy
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 irrevocably
                 confirmed
                 unto
                 us
                 therein
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Because
                 he
                 
                   hath
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Person
                   as
                   the
                   Head
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   received
                   an
                   acquitment
                   for
                   the
                   whole
                   body
                
                 ;
                 His
                 
                   Personal
                   discharge
                
                 upon
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 his
                 work
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 pledge
                 of
                 the
                 discharge
                 which
                 was
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 to
                 his
                 whole
                 mystical
                 body
                 .
                 Peter
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 Acts
                 2.
                 24.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 was
                 
                   impossible
                   he
                   should
                   be
                   detained
                   by
                   death
                   .
                
                 And
                 why
                 so
                 ?
                 because
                 death
                 being
                 penally
                 inflicted
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 
                   paid
                   the
                   debt
                
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 legally
                 to
                 be
                 acquitted
                 ;
                 Now
                 for
                 whom
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 whose
                 name
                 and
                 stead
                 he
                 suffered
                 ,
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 name
                 and
                 stead
                 ,
                 he
                 received
                 his
                 acquitment
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 Because
                 upon
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   committed
                   unto
                   him
                   the
                   whole
                   management
                   of
                   the
                   business
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 5.
                 31.
                 
                 He
                 (
                 now
                 )
                 
                   gives
                   repentance
                   and
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 Christ
                 that
                 
                   forgives
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Col.
                 3.
                 13.
                 
                 All
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 now
                 at
                 his
                 disposal
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 pardoneth
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 ;
                 even
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 given
                 unto
                 him
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 not
                 casting
                 out
                 any
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 intrusted
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 stores
                 of
                 his
                 Fathers
                 purpose
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 purchase
                 ;
                 and
                 thence
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   things
                   that
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   are
                   his
                   ,
                
                 John
                 16.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 these
                 respects
                 doth
                 
                   forgiveness
                   relate
                   to
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Pardon
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 could
                 find
                 no
                 other
                 way
                 to
                 issue
                 forth
                 from
                 the
                 
                   heart
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 
                   heart
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 do
                 they
                 stream
                 unto
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 sinner
                 .
              
               
                 Two
                 things
                 are
                 principally
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 the
                 respect
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 hath
                 to
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 
                   The
                   way
                   of
                   its
                   Procurement
                
                 ;
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 The
                 
                   way
                   of
                   its
                   Administration
                
                 by
                 him
                 :
                 The
                 first
                 is
                 deep
                 ,
                 mysterious
                 ,
                 dreadful
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 ;
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 the
                 travel
                 of
                 his
                 soul
                 ;
                 his
                 undergoing
                 wrath
                 and
                 curse
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 The
                 other
                 is
                 gracious
                 ,
                 merciful
                 and
                 
                 tender
                 ;
                 whence
                 so
                 many
                 things
                 are
                 spoken
                 of
                 his
                 mercifulness
                 ,
                 and
                 faithfulness
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 us
                 to
                 
                   expect
                   forgiveness
                
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 also
                 adds
                 to
                 the
                 mysterious
                 depths
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 and
                 makes
                 its
                 discovery
                 a
                 great
                 matter
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 that
                 looks
                 after
                 it
                 in
                 earnest
                 ,
                 must
                 consider
                 what
                 it
                 cost
                 .
                 How
                 light
                 do
                 most
                 men
                 make
                 of
                 pardon
                 ?
                 What
                 an
                 easie
                 thing
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 it
                 ?
                 and
                 no
                 very
                 hard
                 matter
                 to
                 obtain
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 hold
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 of
                 another
                 nature
                 than
                 is
                 once
                 dreamed
                 of
                 by
                 many
                 ,
                 who
                 think
                 they
                 know
                 well
                 enough
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 pardoned
                 .
                 God
                 be
                 merciful
                 is
                 a
                 common
                 saying
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 common
                 ,
                 to
                 desire
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 so
                 
                   for
                   Christs
                   sake
                
                 .
                 Poor
                 Creatures
                 are
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 mould
                 of
                 such
                 expressions
                 ,
                 who
                 know
                 neither
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 nor
                 Christ
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Others
                 look
                 on
                 the
                 outside
                 of
                 the
                 Cross
                 ;
                 to
                 see
                 into
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 working
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 by
                 faith
                 the
                 great
                 transaction
                 of
                 Divine
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Justice
                 and
                 Mercy
                 therein
                 ,
                 how
                 few
                 attain
                 unto
                 it
                 ?
                 To
                 come
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 Christ
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 Law
                 issuing
                 all
                 its
                 threats
                 and
                 curses
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 loosing
                 its
                 sting
                 ,
                 putting
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 its
                 obligation
                 unto
                 punishment
                 in
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 all
                 sins
                 gathered
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Gods
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 to
                 meet
                 on
                 the
                 Mediator
                 ;
                 and
                 eternal
                 love
                 springing
                 forth
                 triumphantly
                 from
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 flourishing
                 into
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 this
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 can
                 be
                 enlarged
                 unto
                 only
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 
                   forgiveness
                   ,
                   free
                   condonation
                
                 ,
                 discharge
                 ,
                 or
                 pardon
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 considered
                 two
                 wayes
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 As
                 it
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 it self
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 gracious
                 declaration
                 of
                 pardon
                 to
                 sinners
                 ,
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 his
                 Covenant
                 to
                 that
                 end
                 and
                 purpose
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 variously
                 proposed
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 he
                 knew
                 needful
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 of
                 ingenerating
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 communicating
                 that
                 consolation
                 which
                 he
                 intends
                 therein
                 .
              
               
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 the
                 declaration
                 of
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 before
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 bringing
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 Application
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 mercy
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 wherein
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 
                   freely
                   forgiven
                   all
                   our
                   Trespasses
                
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 
                 Gospel
                 Forgiveness
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 respects
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 these
                 Principles
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 all
                 an
                 influence
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 which
                 makes
                 this
                 more
                 evident
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 I
                 shall
                 close
                 this
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Faith
                 in
                 its
                 Application
                 of
                 it self
                 unto
                 God
                 about
                 and
                 for
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 doth
                 distinctly
                 apply
                 it self
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 close
                 with
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 severally
                 and
                 singly
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 another
                 ;
                 and
                 sometimes
                 jointly
                 takes
                 in
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 expresly
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 it
                 fixes
                 on
                 any
                 or
                 either
                 of
                 them
                 exclusively
                 to
                 the
                 others
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 eminently
                 it
                 finds
                 some
                 special
                 encouragement
                 at
                 some
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 peculiar
                 attractive
                 from
                 
                   some
                   one
                
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 from
                 the
                 rest
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 that
                 proves
                 an
                 inlet
                 ,
                 a
                 door
                 of
                 entrance
                 unto
                 the
                 treasures
                 that
                 are
                 laid
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 go
                 over
                 the
                 severalls
                 by
                 Instances
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Sometimes
                 faith
                 fixes
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Name
                   and
                   infinite
                   Goodness
                
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 draws
                 out
                 forgiveness
                 from
                 thence
                 .
                 So
                 doth
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 86.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   Lord
                   art
                   good
                   and
                   ready
                   to
                   forgive
                   .
                
                 He
                 rolls
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 and
                 expectation
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 infinite
                 goodness
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 So
                 Nehem.
                 9.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   of
                   pardons
                   ,
                
                 or
                 ready
                 to
                 forgive
                 ;
                 of
                 an
                 infinite
                 ,
                 gracious
                 ,
                 loving
                 nature
                 ;
                 not
                 severe
                 and
                 wrathful
                 ;
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 encouraged
                 unto
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 50.
                 10.
                 to
                 stay
                 on
                 the
                 
                   name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 innumerable
                 other
                 places
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 thus
                 Faith
                 oftentimes
                 finds
                 a
                 peculiar
                 sweetness
                 and
                 encouragement
                 in
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   gracious
                   nature
                
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thing
                
                 that
                 it
                 fixes
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 the
                 last
                 that
                 it
                 rests
                 in
                 ;
                 and
                 oft-times
                 it
                 makes
                 a
                 stay
                 here
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 driven
                 from
                 all
                 other
                 holds
                 ;
                 It
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 however
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   yet
                   God
                   is
                   gracious
                
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 least
                 make
                 that
                 conclusion
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 Joel
                 2.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   gracious
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   merciful
                   ,
                   who
                   knoweth
                   but
                   he
                   will
                   return
                   .
                
                 And
                 when
                 faith
                 hath
                 well
                 laid
                 hold
                 on
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 easily
                 be
                 driven
                 from
                 its
                 expectation
                 of
                 relief
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 hence
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Sometimes
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 saith
                 addresseth
                 it self
                 in
                 a
                 peculiar
                 manner
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Soveraignty
                   of
                   Gods
                   Will
                
                 ;
                 whereby
                 he
                 is
                 gracious
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 gracious
                 ,
                 and
                 merciful
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 merciful
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 was
                 shewed
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 considerable
                 Spring
                 or
                 Principle
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 This
                 way
                 Davids
                 faith
                 steared
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 great
                 streight
                 and
                 perplexity
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 15.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 
                   If
                   I
                   shall
                   find
                   favour
                   in
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   bring
                   me
                   again
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   he
                   thus
                   say
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   delight
                   in
                   thee
                   ,
                   behold
                   here
                   am
                   I
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   do
                   unto
                   me
                   as
                   seemeth
                   good
                   unto
                   him
                   .
                
                 That
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 consideration
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 God
                 have
                 any
                 delight
                 in
                 him
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 God
                 would
                 graciously
                 
                   remit
                   and
                   pardon
                
                 the
                 great
                 sin
                 against
                 which
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 he
                 manifested
                 his
                 indignation
                 .
                 Here
                 he
                 layes
                 himself
                 down
                 before
                 the
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 awaits
                 patiently
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 the
                 
                   free
                   Act
                   of
                   his
                   Will
                
                 concerning
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 this
                 door
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 enters
                 into
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 those
                 other
                 
                   springs
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 ,
                 which
                 Faith
                 enquires
                 after
                 and
                 closeth
                 withal
                 .
                 This
                 sometimes
                 is
                 all
                 the
                 cloud
                 that
                 appears
                 to
                 a
                 distressed
                 soul
                 ,
                 which
                 after
                 a
                 while
                 fills
                 the
                 Heavens
                 by
                 the
                 addition
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 considerations
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 and
                 yields
                 
                   plentifully
                   refreshing
                   showers
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 condition
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 entangled
                 soul
                 oft-times
                 reduced
                 unto
                 in
                 looking
                 out
                 for
                 relief
                 ;
                 It
                 can
                 discover
                 nothing
                 but
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 able
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 if
                 he
                 graciously
                 please
                 relieve
                 and
                 acquit
                 him
                 .
                 All
                 other
                 supportments
                 ,
                 all
                 springs
                 of
                 relief
                 are
                 shut
                 up
                 ,
                 or
                 hid
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 springs
                 indeed
                 may
                 be
                 nigh
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 was
                 to
                 Hagar
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 eyes
                 are
                 withheld
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 see
                 them
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 they
                 cast
                 themselves
                 on
                 
                   Gods
                   Soveraign
                   pleasure
                
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 with
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   though
                   he
                   slay
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   put
                   our
                   trust
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 we
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 him
                 go
                 .
                 In
                 our selves
                 we
                 are
                 lost
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 unquestionable
                 ;
                 how
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 deal
                 with
                 us
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 ;
                 we
                 see
                 not
                 our
                 signs
                 and
                 tokens
                 any
                 more
                 ;
                 evidences
                 of
                 Gods
                 Grace
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 and
                 favour
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 out
                 of
                 sight
                 .
                 To
                 a
                 
                   present
                   special
                   interest
                
                 in
                 Christ
                 we
                 are
                 strangers
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 we
                 lye
                 every
                 moment
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 of
                 Eternity
                 ;
                 what
                 course
                 shall
                 we
                 take
                 ,
                 what
                 way
                 shall
                 we
                 proceed
                 ?
                 If
                 we
                 abide
                 at
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 perish
                 ;
                 who
                 ever
                 
                   hardned
                   himself
                   against
                   him
                   and
                   prospered
                
                 ?
                 Nor
                 is
                 there
                 the
                 least
                 relief
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 but
                 from
                 and
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   for
                   who
                   can
                   forgive
                   sins
                   but
                   God
                   ?
                
                 We
                 will
                 then
                 bring
                 our
                 
                   guilty
                   souls
                
                 into
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 attend
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 ;
                 what
                 he
                 speaks
                 concerning
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 willingly
                 submit
                 unto
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 sometimes
                 proves
                 an
                 Anchor
                 to
                 a
                 tossed
                 soul
                 ;
                 which
                 though
                 it
                 gives
                 it
                 not
                 rest
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 
                   saves
                   it
                   from
                   the
                   rock
                
                 of
                 despair
                 .
                 Here
                 it
                 abides
                 until
                 Light
                 do
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 break
                 forth
                 upon
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Faith
                 dealing
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 doth
                 commonly
                 eye
                 in
                 a
                 peculiar
                 manner
                 its
                 
                   relation
                   to
                   the
                   mediation
                   and
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 directs
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   the
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   .
                
                 If
                 any
                 one
                 hath
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 in
                 depths
                 and
                 entanglements
                 about
                 it
                 ;
                 what
                 course
                 shall
                 he
                 take
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 he
                 proceed
                 to
                 obtain
                 deliverance
                 ?
                 why
                 he
                 must
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 pardon
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 shall
                 he
                 rely
                 upon
                 to
                 encourage
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 so
                 doing
                 ?
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 consider
                 by
                 faith
                 the
                 Attonement
                 and
                 propitiation
                 made
                 for
                 sin
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 still
                 pursuing
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Love
                 to
                 the
                 suing
                 out
                 of
                 pardon
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 rest
                 thy
                 soul
                 thereon
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 say
                 most
                 commonly
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 faith
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 immediately
                 fixes
                 on
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 Faith
                 eyes
                 
                   actual
                   pardon
                   or
                   condonation
                
                 .
                 So
                 God
                 proposeth
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 motive
                 to
                 further
                 believing
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 44.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   blotted
                   out
                   as
                   a
                   thick
                   cloud
                   thy
                   transgressions
                   ,
                   and
                   as
                   a
                   cloud
                   thy
                   sins
                   ;
                   return
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   have
                   redeemed
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Actual
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 proposed
                 to
                 faith
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 encouragement
                 unto
                 a
                 full
                 returning
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 23.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 like
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 particulars
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 yield
                 
                   peculiar
                   relief
                
                 unto
                 a
                 soul
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 some
                 one
                 special
                 concernment
                 or
                 other
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 wrapped
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 Only
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 it
                 not
                 exclusively
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 the
                 special
                 doors
                 ,
                 whereby
                 believing
                 enters
                 into
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 
                 And
                 these
                 things
                 must
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 afterwards
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 now
                 take
                 along
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 the
                 end
                 for
                 which
                 all
                 these
                 considerations
                 have
                 been
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 manifest
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 
                   real
                   discovery
                   of
                   Gospel
                   Forgiveness
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   matter
                   of
                   greater
                   consequence
                   and
                   importance
                   than
                   at
                   first
                   proposal
                   ,
                   (
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   )
                   it
                   appeared
                   unto
                   some
                   to
                   be
                   .
                
                 Who
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 hopes
                 ,
                 in
                 expectation
                 of
                 pardon
                 ?
                 Who
                 thinks
                 not
                 that
                 they
                 know
                 well
                 enough
                 at
                 least
                 
                   what
                   it
                   is
                
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 might
                 but
                 obtain
                 it
                 ?
                 But
                 men
                 may
                 have
                 general
                 thoughts
                 of
                 impunity
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 far
                 enough
                 from
                 any
                 saving
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 Gospel
                 mercy
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   discovered
                   ,
                   or
                   Revealed
                   only
                   to
                   Faith.
                   Reasons
                   thereof
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 For
                 a
                 close
                 of
                 this
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 add
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 included
                 in
                 that
                 Proposition
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   this
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   is
                   ,
                   and
                   can
                   be
                   made
                   to
                   faith
                   alone
                   .
                
                 The
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 nothing
                 else
                 can
                 discover
                 it
                 or
                 receive
                 it
                 .
                 No
                 Reasonings
                 ,
                 no
                 enquiries
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 can
                 reach
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 That
                 guess
                 or
                 glimpse
                 which
                 the
                 Heathens
                 had
                 of
                 old
                 of
                 somewhat
                 so
                 called
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 
                   false
                   Worshippers
                
                 have
                 at
                 present
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 we
                 insist
                 upon
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 meer
                 imagination
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 17.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   is
                   (
                   in
                   the
                   Gospel
                   )
                   revealed
                   from
                   faith
                   to
                   faith
                   .
                
                 Nothing
                 but
                 faith
                 hath
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   God
                
                 whereof
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 that
                 consists
                 in
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sins
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 declared
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 revealed
                 
                   from
                   the
                   faith
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   the
                   Believer
                
                 ;
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 mixes
                 the
                 Promise
                 with
                 faith
                 .
                 And
                 again
                 more
                 fully
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Eye
                   hath
                   not
                   seen
                   ,
                   nor
                   ear
                   heard
                   ,
                   neither
                   have
                   entred
                   into
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   man
                   the
                   things
                   which
                   God
                   hath
                   prepared
                   for
                   them
                   that
                   love
                   him
                   .
                
                 The
                 wayes
                 whereby
                 we
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 are
                 by
                 the
                 
                   seeing
                   of
                   the
                   eye
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 
                   hearing
                   of
                   the
                   ear
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Reasonings
                 and
                 meditations
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 will
                 reach
                 to
                 the
                 matter
                 in
                 hand
                 ;
                 by
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 wayes
                 can
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 an
                 acquaintance
                 
                 with
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 that
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 us
                 in
                 Christ.
                 How
                 then
                 shall
                 we
                 obtain
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 that
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 v.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   revealed
                   them
                   unto
                   us
                   by
                   his
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 faith
                 only
                 that
                 receives
                 the
                 
                   Revelations
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ;
                 nothing
                 else
                 hath
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 give
                 evidence
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 great
                 mysterie
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Is
                   too
                   Deep
                   ,
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Is
                   too
                   Great
                   ,
                   for
                   ought
                   else
                   to
                   discover
                   :
                   and
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   That
                   nothing
                   else
                   but
                   faith
                   is
                   suited
                   to
                   the
                   making
                   of
                   this
                   discovery
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 too
                 deep
                 and
                 mysterious
                 to
                 be
                 fathomed
                 and
                 reached
                 by
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 .
                 
                   Reasons
                   line
                
                 is
                 too
                 short
                 to
                 fathom
                 the
                 depths
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Fathers
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 built
                 thereon
                 ,
                 wherein
                 forgiveness
                 dwells
                 .
                 Men
                 cannot
                 by
                 their
                 rational
                 considerations
                 launch
                 out
                 into
                 
                   these
                   deeps
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 draw
                 water
                 by
                 them
                 from
                 these
                 
                   Wells
                   of
                   Salvation
                
                 .
                 Reason
                 stands
                 by
                 amazed
                 ,
                 and
                 cryes
                 
                   how
                   can
                   these
                   things
                   be
                
                 ?
                 it
                 can
                 but
                 gather
                 
                   Cockle
                   shells
                
                 ,
                 like
                 him
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 shoar
                 of
                 this
                 Ocean
                 ;
                 a
                 few
                 Criticisms
                 upon
                 the
                 outward
                 letter
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 bring
                 an
                 evil
                 report
                 upon
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 as
                 did
                 the
                 Spies
                 .
                 All
                 it
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 
                   hinder
                   faith
                
                 from
                 venturing
                 into
                 it
                 ;
                 crying
                 spare
                 thy self
                 ,
                 this
                 attempt
                 is
                 vain
                 ,
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 impossible
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 among
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 faith
                 puts
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 layes
                 aside
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 engageth
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 causeth
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   to
                   deny
                   it self
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 its
                 own
                 Reasonings
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 it self
                 to
                 an
                 
                   infinite
                   fulness
                
                 of
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Truth
                 .
                 Though
                 it
                 cannot
                 go
                 into
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 these
                 depths
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 enters
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 finds
                 rest
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 Nothing
                 but
                 faith
                 is
                 suited
                 to
                 rest
                 ,
                 to
                 satiate
                 ,
                 and
                 content
                 it self
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   mysterious
                   ,
                   bottomless
                   ,
                   unsearchable
                   depths
                   .
                
                 Being
                 a
                 
                   soul
                   emptying
                
                 ,
                 a
                 Reason
                 denying
                 Grace
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 meets
                 withal
                 beyond
                 its
                 search
                 and
                 reach
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 satisfaction
                 it
                 finds
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 looked
                 for
                 ,
                 saith
                 Faith
                 ;
                 even
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 infinite
                 and
                 unsearchable
                 :
                 When
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 abundantly
                 more
                 
                   beyond
                   me
                
                 that
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 comprehend
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 attained
                 unto
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 nothing
                 else
                 will
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 the
                 soul.
                 
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 really
                 puzzles
                 and
                 overwhelms
                 Reason
                 ,
                 rendring
                 it
                 useless
                 .
                 What
                 it
                 cannot
                 compass
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 neglect
                 or
                 despise
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 either
                 amazed
                 and
                 confounded
                 ,
                 and
                 dazled
                 like
                 weak
                 eyes
                 at
                 too
                 great
                 a
                 light
                 ;
                 or
                 fortifying
                 of
                 it self
                 by
                 inbred
                 pride
                 and
                 obstinacy
                 ,
                 it
                 concludes
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 
                   preaching
                   of
                   the
                   Cross
                
                 ,
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 from
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 plain
                 folly
                 ,
                 a
                 thing
                 not
                 for
                 a
                 
                   wise
                   man
                
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 trouble
                 himself
                 about
                 ;
                 So
                 it
                 appeared
                 to
                 the
                 wise
                 Greeks
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 24.
                 
                 Hence
                 when
                 a
                 soul
                 is
                 brought
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 a
                 real
                 conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 desirously
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 
                   galling
                   intanglements
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 then
                 the
                 hardest
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 perswade
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 of
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Any
                 thing
                 appears
                 more
                 rational
                 unto
                 it
                 ;
                 any
                 
                   self
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 any
                 Purgatory
                 hereafter
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 of
                 convinced
                 Persons
                 have
                 forsaken
                 forgiveness
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 ;
                 
                   Masses
                   ,
                   Penances
                   ,
                   Merits
                
                 ,
                 have
                 appeared
                 more
                 eligible
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 desire
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 do
                 chuse
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 any
                 thing
                 rather
                 than
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 If
                 men
                 do
                 escape
                 these
                 Rocks
                 ,
                 and
                 resolve
                 that
                 nothing
                 but
                 pardon
                 will
                 relieve
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 receive
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Truth
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 enabled
                 by
                 faith
                 thereunto
                 .
                 I
                 speak
                 not
                 of
                 men
                 that
                 take
                 it
                 up
                 by
                 hearsay
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 common
                 report
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 those
                 souls
                 who
                 find
                 themselves
                 
                   really
                   concerned
                
                 to
                 look
                 after
                 it
                 ;
                 When
                 they
                 know
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 sole
                 concernment
                 ,
                 all
                 their
                 hope
                 and
                 relief
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 know
                 that
                 they
                 must
                 
                   perish
                   everlastingly
                   without
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 declared
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 truth
                 and
                 soberness
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 cannot
                 receive
                 it
                 ;
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Reason
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 What
                 staves
                 off
                 these
                 hungry
                 creatures
                 from
                 their
                 proper
                 food
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 nothing
                 to
                 lead
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 
                   mysterious
                   depths
                
                 of
                 eternal
                 Love
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
                 How
                 may
                 we
                 see
                 poor
                 diseased
                 souls
                 standing
                 every
                 day
                 at
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 this
                 Pool
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 not
                 once
                 venture
                 themselves
                 into
                 it
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 too
                 Great
                 for
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 to
                 discover
                 .
                 Forgiveness
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 chosen
                 out
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   exalt
                   and
                   magnifie
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 made
                 appear
                 
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 a
                 great
                 thing
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 soul
                 comes
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 sensible
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 finds
                 it
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 so
                 excellent
                 and
                 astonishable
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 sinks
                 under
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 hath
                 dimensions
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   length
                   ,
                   breadth
                   ,
                   depth
                
                 and
                 height
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 line
                 of
                 the
                 rational
                 soul
                 can
                 take
                 or
                 measure
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 
                   exceeding
                   Greatness
                   in
                   it
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 work
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 prescribed
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 Even
                 
                   to
                   know
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   Christ
                   that
                   passeth
                   knowledge
                   .
                
                 Here
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 Reason
                 will
                 confess
                 it self
                 at
                 a
                 stand
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 issue
                 ;
                 
                   to
                   know
                   that
                   which
                   passeth
                   knowledge
                   ,
                
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 its
                 work
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 known
                 saith
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 ends
                 the
                 matter
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 faiths
                 proper
                 work
                 ;
                 even
                 to
                 know
                 that
                 which
                 passeth
                 knowledge
                 .
                 To
                 know
                 that
                 ,
                 in
                 its
                 
                   power
                   ,
                   vertue
                
                 ,
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 and
                 efficacy
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 throughly
                 known
                 in
                 its
                 nature
                 and
                 excellency
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 by
                 believing
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Ends
                   of
                   a
                   full
                   comprehension
                
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 
                   fully
                   comprehended
                
                 .
                 Hence
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   of
                   things
                   not
                   seen
                
                 :
                 their
                 subsistence
                 ;
                 though
                 in
                 themselves
                 absent
                 ,
                 yet
                 faith
                 gives
                 them
                 a
                 
                   present
                   subsistence
                
                 in
                 the
                 soul.
                 So
                 it
                 knows
                 things
                 that
                 pass
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 by
                 mixing
                 it self
                 with
                 them
                 it
                 draws
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 communicates
                 their
                 benefit
                 to
                 the
                 soul.
                 From
                 all
                 which
                 is
                 evident
                 ,
                 what
                 in
                 the
                 third
                 place
                 was
                 proposed
                 ;
                 of
                 faiths
                 being
                 
                   only
                   suited
                
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 this
                 discovery
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 farther
                 to
                 insist
                 thereon
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   a
                   great
                   supportment
                   to
                   sin
                   entangled
                   souls
                   .
                   Particular
                   Assurance
                   attainable
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 There
                 yet
                 remains
                 a
                 brief
                 confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 Position
                 at
                 first
                 laid
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 cleared
                 ,
                 before
                 I
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 improvement
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 especially
                 aimed
                 at
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 then
                 ,
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   great
                   supportment
                   for
                   a
                   sin
                   entangled
                   soul
                   ,
                   although
                   it
                   hath
                   no
                   special
                   perswasion
                   of
                   its
                   own
                   particular
                   interest
                   therein
                   .
                
                 Somewhat
                 is
                 supposed
                 in
                 this
                 Assertion
                 ,
                 and
                 somewhat
                 affirmed
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 supposed
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 gracious
                 perswasion
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 concerning
                 his
                 own
                 
                   particular
                   interest
                   in
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 ,
                 many
                 do
                 believe
                 it
                 for
                 themselves
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 comfort
                 also
                 .
                 Generally
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 mentioned
                 in
                 Scripture
                 had
                 this
                 Assurance
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 depths
                 ,
                 distresses
                 ,
                 and
                 desertions
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 
                   Psalm
                   .
                   David
                
                 expresseth
                 his
                 confidence
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 and
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 his
                 
                   own
                   soul
                
                 hundreds
                 of
                 times
                 .
                 Paul
                 doth
                 the
                 same
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   Christ
                   loved
                
                 M
                 E
                 
                   and
                   gave
                   himself
                
                 FOR
                 ME
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   There
                   is
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   me
                   a
                   Crown
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   which
                   God
                   the
                   righteous
                   Judge
                   shall
                   give
                   me
                   at
                   that
                   day
                   .
                
                 And
                 that
                 this
                 boasting
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 an
                 enclosure
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 shewes
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 Nothing
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 vain
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 is
                 usually
                 pleaded
                 ,
                 to
                 remove
                 this
                 
                   Sheat
                   Anker
                
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 Consolation
                 ;
                 namely
                 that
                 
                   no
                   mans
                   particular
                   name
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   Promise
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 said
                 to
                 this
                 
                   or
                   that
                   man
                   by
                   name
                   ,
                   that
                   his
                   sins
                   are
                   forgiven
                   him
                   .
                
                 But
                 the
                 matter
                 is
                 far
                 otherwise
                 .
                 To
                 think
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 names
                 whereby
                 we
                 are
                 known
                 among
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 distinguished
                 here
                 one
                 from
                 another
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 believe
                 in
                 particular
                 every
                 one
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 fond
                 conceit
                 .
                 The
                 
                   new
                   name
                
                 of
                 every
                 Child
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Promise
                
                 .
                 And
                 believing
                 makes
                 it
                 very
                 legible
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 by
                 Experience
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 Argumentation
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 by
                 a
                 
                   direct
                   Act
                
                 of
                 faith
                 believes
                 its
                 own
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 without
                 making
                 inferences
                 or
                 gathering
                 conclusions
                 ;
                 and
                 may
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 Proposition
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 digress
                 from
                 my
                 work
                 in
                 hand
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 shall
                 only
                 observe
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 things
                 upon
                 the
                 Supposition
                 laid
                 down
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 
                   duty
                   of
                   every
                   Believer
                   ,
                   to
                   labour
                   after
                   an
                   Assurance
                   of
                   a
                   Personal
                   interest
                   in
                   forgiveness
                
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 diligent
                 in
                 the
                 cherishing
                 and
                 preservation
                 of
                 it
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 attained
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 exhorts
                 us
                 all
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   draw
                   near
                   in
                   full
                   Assurance
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 through
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 plainly
                 discourseth
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Principle
                 of
                 our
                 
                   faith
                   and
                   confidence
                
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 us
                 to
                 
                   hold
                   fast
                
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 14.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 evil
                 in
                 Believers
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 pressing
                 after
                 perfection
                 in
                 believing
                 and
                 obedience
                 .
                 Oft-times
                 some
                 
                   sinful
                   indulgence
                
                 to
                 self
                 or
                 the
                 world
                 or
                 sloth
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 few
                 come
                 up
                 to
                 
                   Gospel
                   Assurance
                
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 most
                 of
                 our
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 the
                 matter
                 all
                 our
                 comforts
                 depend
                 on
                 this
                 one
                 thing
                 .
                 A
                 little
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 unto
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 desire
                 you
                 to
                 consider
                 both
                 whence
                 this
                 Assurance
                 is
                 produced
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 doth
                 produce
                 ;
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 fruit
                 it
                 bears
                 .
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 general
                 the
                 product
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 
                   plentiful
                   communication
                
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 than
                 ordinary
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 a
                 sense
                 and
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 choice
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 procured
                 for
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 justified
                 by
                 their
                 
                   acceptance
                   of
                   the
                   Attonement
                
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 flourisheth
                 not
                 without
                 his
                 
                   sealing
                   ,
                   witnessing
                
                 ,
                 establishing
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   shedding
                   abroad
                
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 See
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 Believer
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 long
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 press
                 after
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 Nay
                 to
                 read
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 not
                 experiencing
                 them
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 quietly
                 on
                 this
                 side
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 continual
                 pressing
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 despise
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 whole
                 work
                 of
                 Gods
                 Love.
                 If
                 there
                 are
                 
                   no
                   such
                   things
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 not
                 true
                 :
                 if
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 press
                 not
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 despisers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Surely
                 he
                 
                   hath
                   not
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 more
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 promised
                 by
                 Christ.
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 the
                 
                   hundred
                   fold
                
                 that
                 Christ
                 hath
                 left
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 to
                 counterpoise
                 our
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 troubles
                 and
                 losses
                 :
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 so
                 foolish
                 as
                 to
                 neglect
                 our
                 only
                 abiding
                 riches
                 and
                 treasures
                 ?
                 In
                 
                 particular
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 product
                 of
                 an
                 exercised
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 ,
                 active
                 faith
                 .
                 That
                 our
                 faith
                 should
                 be
                 such
                 ,
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 it
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 endeavour
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 our
                 comforts
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 Obedience
                 also
                 depends
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 
                   more
                   faith
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 right
                 kind
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   more
                   obedience
                
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 our
                 obedience
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   obedience
                   of
                   faith
                
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 For
                 
                   its
                   own
                   fruit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 produceth
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 choicest
                 actings
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 towards
                 God
                 ;
                 as
                 Love
                 ,
                 delight
                 ,
                 rejoycing
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Peace
                 ,
                 Joy
                 ,
                 and
                 Consolation
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 readiness
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 or
                 suffer
                 ,
                 chearfulness
                 in
                 so
                 doing
                 ;
                 If
                 they
                 grow
                 not
                 from
                 this
                 root
                 ,
                 yet
                 their
                 flourishing
                 wholly
                 depends
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 surely
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 every
                 Believer
                 to
                 break
                 through
                 all
                 difficulties
                 in
                 pressing
                 after
                 this
                 
                   particular
                   Assurance
                
                 .
                 The
                 Objections
                 that
                 persons
                 raise
                 against
                 themselves
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 may
                 afterwards
                 be
                 considered
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 In
                 
                   ordinary
                   dispensations
                
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 dealings
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   mostly
                   our
                   own
                   negligence
                   and
                   sloth
                
                 that
                 we
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 this
                 Assurance
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 it
                 depends
                 in
                 a
                 peculiar
                 manner
                 on
                 the
                 Soveraignty
                 of
                 God.
                 He
                 is
                 as
                 absolute
                 in
                 giving
                 Peace
                 to
                 believers
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 giving
                 Grace
                 to
                 sinners
                 .
                 This
                 takes
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 be
                 proposed
                 as
                 a
                 relief
                 ,
                 in
                 times
                 of
                 tryals
                 and
                 distress
                 .
                 He
                 createth
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 causeth
                 darkness
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 considering
                 what
                 Promises
                 are
                 made
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 What
                 encouragements
                 are
                 given
                 us
                 ,
                 what
                 love
                 and
                 tenderness
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 to
                 receive
                 us
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 ordinarily
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 coming
                 short
                 of
                 this
                 Assurance
                 is
                 where
                 I
                 have
                 fixed
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 supposed
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 foregoing
                 Assertion
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 supposed
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 
                   a
                   saving
                   perswasion
                   or
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Where
                 there
                 is
                 
                   no
                   Assurance
                
                 of
                 any
                 particular
                 interest
                 therein
                 ;
                 or
                 that
                 our
                 own
                 sins
                 in
                 particular
                 are
                 pardoned
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 hath
                 a
                 Promise
                 of
                 gracious
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 therefore
                 saving
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 50.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   among
                   you
                   that
                   feareth
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   obeyeth
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   his
                   Servant
                   ,
                   that
                   walketh
                   in
                   darkness
                   and
                   hath
                   no
                   light
                   ;
                   Let
                   him
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   stay
                   upon
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   God.
                
                 Here
                 is
                 the
                 
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 blessed
                 encouragement
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Alsufficiency
                 ,
                 yet
                 no
                 Assurance
                 ,
                 nor
                 light
                 ,
                 but
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 walked
                 in
                 ,
                 or
                 continued
                 in
                 for
                 a
                 long
                 season
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 cannot
                 
                   walk
                   in
                   darkness
                
                 ,
                 meet
                 with
                 nothing
                 but
                 darkness
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 beam
                 or
                 ray
                 of
                 Light
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 words
                 signifie
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 perswaded
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Obedience
                 springing
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 have
                 this
                 Gracious
                 Promise
                 of
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 And
                 innumerable
                 testimonies
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 might
                 be
                 produced
                 ,
                 and
                 instances
                 in
                 great
                 plenty
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 tender
                 a
                 little
                 Evidence
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 Observation
                 concerning
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   one
                   more
                
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 proposal
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 ,
                 or
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Faith
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 a
                 
                   cleaving
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 4.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   that
                   did
                   cleave
                
                 ,
                 or
                 adhere
                 
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 who
                 did
                 believe
                 .
                 Josh.
                 23.
                 8.
                 cleave
                 ,
                 or
                 adhere
                 
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   your
                   God.
                
                 The
                 same
                 word
                 is
                 used
                 also
                 in
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 ,
                 Acts
                 11.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   He
                   exhorted
                   them
                   that
                   with
                   purpose
                   of
                   heart
                   they
                   would
                   cleave
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 or
                 continue
                 stedfast
                 in
                 believing
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 also
                 often
                 expressed
                 by
                 trusting
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   rolling
                   our
                   burden
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   casting
                   our
                   care
                   upon
                   him
                
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   committing
                   our selves
                
                 ,
                 or
                 our
                 wayes
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 this
                 goes
                 no
                 further
                 than
                 the
                 souls
                 Resignation
                 of
                 it self
                 unto
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 dealt
                 withall
                 by
                 him
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 ratified
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 a
                 soul
                 
                   cannot
                   do
                
                 without
                 a
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God.
                 But
                 this
                 a
                 soul
                 
                   may
                   do
                
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 
                   special
                   Assurance
                
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 interest
                 therein
                 .
                 This
                 faith
                 that
                 thus
                 adheres
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 cleaves
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 will
                 carry
                 men
                 to
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 the
                 disposal
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cleave
                 and
                 adhere
                 unto
                 him
                 as
                 revealed
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 waiting
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ;
                 It
                 enables
                 them
                 to
                 make
                 Christ
                 their
                 choice
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 carry
                 men
                 to
                 Heaven
                 safely
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 at
                 some
                 seasons
                 not
                 very
                 comfortably
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Revelation
                 and
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 evidenceth
                 the
                 same
                 truth
                 .
                 The
                 
                   first
                   proposal
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 or
                 concerning
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   his
                   sins
                   are
                
                 
                 forgiven
                 .
                 No
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 only
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   Redemption
                   and
                   forgiveness
                
                 of
                 sins
                 in
                 Christ.
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 layes
                 it
                 down
                 ,
                 Acts
                 13.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   it
                   known
                   unto
                   you
                   therefore
                   Men
                   and
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   that
                   through
                   this
                   man
                   is
                   preached
                   unto
                   you
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   him
                   all
                   that
                   believe
                   are
                   justified
                   from
                   all
                   things
                   ;
                   from
                   which
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                   .
                
                 All
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 believed
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 mans
                 Assurance
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 personal
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Now
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 believed
                 with
                 the
                 faith
                 the
                 Gospel
                 requires
                 ,
                 that
                 faith
                 is
                 saving
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 Gospel
                 acceptable
                 Obedience
                 .
                 The
                 Ransome
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 Attonement
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   fulness
                   of
                   the
                   Redemption
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 Forgiveness
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 for
                 Believers
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Good
                   Will
                
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 
                   Gospel
                   discovery
                
                 that
                 a
                 sinner
                 in
                 a
                 saving
                 manner
                 closeth
                 withal
                 .
                 Particular
                 Assurance
                 ariseth
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 arise
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 also
                 is
                 supposed
                 in
                 the
                 Assertion
                 .
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 affirmed
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   a
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                   without
                   any
                   particular
                   Assurance
                   of
                   personal
                   interest
                   therein
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   great
                   supportment
                   to
                   a
                   sin
                   entangled
                   soul.
                
                 And
                 let
                 no
                 man
                 despise
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 this
                 
                   small
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 small
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 some
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 good
                 men
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 deserve
                 the
                 
                   name
                   of
                   faith
                
                 .
                 Now
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 made
                 to
                 appear
                 ,
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 souls
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 on
                 Gospel
                 grounds
                 ,
                 that
                 however
                 it
                 be
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 whatever
                 his
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 be
                 ,
                 or
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 is
                 
                   infinitely
                   gracious
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 determined
                 in
                 a
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Act
                   of
                   his
                   Will
                
                 from
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 gracious
                 to
                 sinners
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 Administration
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 by
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 abundantly
                 manisested
                 ,
                 and
                 declared
                 in
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 However
                 it
                 be
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 yet
                 thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   thing
                
                 that
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 depths
                 riseth
                 up
                 unto
                 :
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 supportment
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 enabling
                 it
                 unto
                 all
                 
                   present
                   duties
                
                 until
                 consolation
                 come
                 from
                 above
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 hath
                 it
                 been
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 14.
                 3.
                 
                 Ashur
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   save
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   not
                   ride
                   upon
                   Horses
                   ,
                   neither
                   will
                   we
                   say
                   any
                   more
                   to
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   our
                   hands
                   ,
                   ye
                   are
                   our
                   Gods
                   ,
                   for
                   in
                
                 
                 
                   thee
                   the
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                
                 .
                 A
                 solemn
                 Renunciation
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 helps
                 ,
                 Reliefs
                 or
                 Assistances
                 ,
                 Civil
                 or
                 Religious
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 Gods.
                 Therein
                 a
                 solemn
                 Resolution
                 in
                 their
                 great
                 distress
                 of
                 cleaving
                 unto
                 God
                 alone
                 .
                 Both
                 which
                 are
                 great
                 and
                 blessed
                 effects
                 of
                 faith
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 bottom
                 and
                 foundation
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Resolution
                 ?
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Proposition
                   ,
                   in
                   thee
                   the
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 helpless
                 sinners
                 .
                 This
                 listed
                 up
                 their
                 hearts
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 ,
                 and
                 supported
                 them
                 in
                 waiting
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 receiving
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 Promises
                 ,
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 which
                 ensue
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 Verses
                 .
                 Until
                 they
                 came
                 home
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 Efficacy
                 and
                 Effects
                 ,
                 they
                 made
                 a
                 Life
                 on
                 this
                 ;
                 
                   in
                   thee
                   the
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 things
                 seems
                 to
                 lye
                 yet
                 lower
                 in
                 that
                 proposal
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 Joel
                 2.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 
                   Rend
                   your
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   your
                   garments
                   ,
                   and
                   turn
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   your
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   is
                   gracious
                   and
                   merciful
                   ,
                   slow
                   to
                   anger
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   great
                   kindness
                   ,
                   and
                   repenteth
                   him
                   of
                   the
                   evil
                   ,
                   who
                   knoweth
                   if
                   he
                   will
                   return
                   ,
                   and
                   repent
                   ,
                   and
                   leave
                   a
                   blessing
                   .
                
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 proposed
                 to
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 those
                 here
                 spoken
                 unto
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 
                   gracious
                   and
                   merciful
                
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 The
                 Duty
                 they
                 are
                 provoked
                 unto
                 hereupon
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   Gospel
                   Repentance
                
                 .
                 The
                 Assent
                 unto
                 the
                 Proposition
                 demanded
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 interest
                 amounts
                 but
                 unto
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   knowes
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   may
                   return
                   and
                   leave
                   a
                   blessing
                   ,
                
                 or
                 deal
                 with
                 us
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 manifestation
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   merciful
                   and
                   gracious
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 far
                 enough
                 from
                 any
                 
                   comfortable
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 a
                 particular
                 interest
                 in
                 that
                 Grace
                 ,
                 mercy
                 or
                 Pardon
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 come
                 but
                 thus
                 far
                 ,
                 and
                 here
                 is
                 a
                 firm
                 foundation
                 of
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 further
                 discoveries
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 soul
                 sees
                 but
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 conclude
                 ;
                 well
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   knoweth
                   but
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   return
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   me
                   also
                   ,
                
                 it
                 will
                 support
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 him
                 an
                 entrance
                 into
                 further
                 light
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 Lamentations
                 gives
                 a
                 sad
                 account
                 of
                 her
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 For
                 she
                 maketh
                 that
                 hard
                 conclusion
                 against
                 her self
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   My
                   strength
                   and
                   my
                   hope
                   is
                   perished
                   from
                   the
                   Lord.
                   And
                   when
                   I
                   cry
                   and
                   shout
                   ,
                   he
                   shuts
                   out
                
                 
                 
                   my
                   prayer
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 18.
                 
                 So
                 far
                 is
                 she
                 from
                 a
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 of
                 a
                 
                   particular
                   interest
                
                 in
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Acceptance
                 ;
                 that
                 under
                 her
                 Pressures
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 her
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 ready
                 positively
                 to
                 determine
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 is
                 rejected
                 and
                 cast
                 off
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 What
                 course
                 then
                 shall
                 she
                 take
                 ?
                 Shall
                 she
                 give
                 over
                 waiting
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 ?
                 no
                 saith
                 she
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 take
                 that
                 way
                 ;
                 for
                 v.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   that
                   a
                   man
                   should
                   both
                   hope
                   and
                   quietly
                   wait
                   for
                   the
                   salvation
                   of
                   God.
                
                 But
                 yet
                 there
                 seems
                 small
                 encouragement
                 for
                 her
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 if
                 things
                 be
                 with
                 her
                 as
                 was
                 expressed
                 ;
                 Things
                 indeed
                 ,
                 saith
                 she
                 ,
                 are
                 very
                 sad
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   soul
                   hath
                   them
                   still
                   in
                   remembrance
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   bowed
                   down
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 20.
                 but
                 yet
                 ,
                 somewhat
                 
                   I
                   recall
                   to
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   have
                   I
                   hope
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 21.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   of
                   the
                   Lords
                   mercy
                   that
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   consumed
                   ,
                   because
                   his
                   compassions
                   fail
                   not
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 mercy
                 and
                 never
                 failing
                 compassion
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 though
                 my
                 own
                 present
                 condition
                 be
                 full
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 see
                 no
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 Yet
                 I
                 purpose
                 still
                 to
                 abide
                 waiting
                 on
                 him
                 :
                 who
                 knows
                 what
                 those
                 infinite
                 stores
                 and
                 treasures
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 relief
                 that
                 are
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 may
                 at
                 length
                 afford
                 
                   unto
                   me
                
                 :
                 and
                 many
                 instances
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 kind
                 might
                 be
                 added
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 may
                 observe
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 how
                 far
                 this
                 Relief
                 extends
                 it self
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 enables
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 soul
                 is
                 enabled
                 thereby
                 
                   to
                   resign
                   it self
                   unto
                   the
                   disposal
                   of
                   Soveraign
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 in
                 self-abhorrency
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Renunciation
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 wayes
                 of
                 Relief
                 .
                 Lam.
                 3.
                 29.
                 
                 
                   He
                   putteth
                   his
                   mouth
                   in
                   the
                   dust
                   ,
                   if
                   so
                   be
                   there
                   may
                   be
                   hope
                   .
                
                 What
                 
                   God
                   will
                
                 ,
                 is
                 his
                 Language
                 .
                 Here
                 he
                 lyes
                 at
                 his
                 disposal
                 ,
                 humble
                 ,
                 broken
                 ,
                 but
                 abiding
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 
                   Though
                   he
                   slay
                   me
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   yet
                   I
                   will
                   trust
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 13.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   all
                   one
                   ,
                   how
                   he
                   deals
                   with
                   me
                   ;
                   whatever
                   be
                   the
                   event
                   I
                   will
                   abide
                   cleaving
                   unto
                   him
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   think
                   of
                   any
                   other
                   way
                   of
                   extricating
                   my self
                   from
                   my
                   distress
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   neither
                   fly
                   like
                   Jonah
                   ,
                   nor
                   bide
                   like
                   Adam
                   ,
                   nor
                   take
                   any
                   other
                   course
                   for
                   deliverance
                   .
                   Saith
                   the
                   soul
                   ,
                   
                     God
                     is
                     a
                     God
                     that
                     hideth
                     himself
                  
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   Isa.
                   45.
                   15.
                   
                   
                     I
                     walk
                     in
                     darkness
                     and
                     have
                     no
                     light
                     ,
                  
                   Chap.
                   50.
                   10.
                   
                   
                     My
                     flesh
                     faileth
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     heart
                     faileth
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   73.
                   26.
                   
                   So
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   overwhelmed
                   with
                   trouble
                   .
                   
                     Mine
                     Iniquities
                     have
                     taken
                     such
                  
                   
                   
                     hold
                     on
                     me
                     ,
                     that
                     I
                     cannot
                     look
                     up
                     ,
                  
                   Psal.
                   40.
                   12.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Lord
                     hath
                     forsaken
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     my
                     God
                     hath
                     forgotten
                     me
                  
                   ;
                   Every
                   day
                   am
                   I
                   in
                   dread
                   and
                   terror
                   ,
                   and
                   am
                   ready
                   utterly
                   to
                   saint
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   relief
                   can
                   I
                   obtain
                   .
                   What
                   then
                   shall
                   I
                   do
                   ?
                   Shall
                   I
                   
                     curse
                     God
                     and
                     dye
                  
                   ?
                   or
                   cry
                   this
                   
                     evil
                     is
                     of
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     why
                     should
                     I
                     wait
                     for
                     him
                     any
                     longer
                     ?
                  
                   Shall
                   I
                   take
                   the
                   course
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   seeing
                   it
                   will
                   be
                   no
                   better
                   ,
                   be
                   wholly
                   regardless
                   of
                   my
                   latter
                   end
                   ?
                   No
                   ;
                   I
                   know
                   what
                   ever
                   my
                   lot
                   and
                   portion
                   be
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   
                     forgiveness
                     with
                     God
                  
                   :
                   This
                   and
                   that
                   
                     poor
                     man
                     trusted
                     in
                     him
                     ,
                     they
                     cryed
                     unto
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     were
                     delivered
                     .
                  
                   So
                   did
                   David
                   in
                   his
                   greatest
                   distress
                   ,
                   
                     he
                     encouraged
                     his
                     heart
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                     his
                     God
                     ,
                  
                   2
                   Sam.
                   15.
                   25
                   ,
                   26.
                   
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   me
                   to
                   cast
                   my self
                   into
                   his
                   arms
                   ;
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   frown
                   ;
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   he
                   is
                   wroth
                   still
                   ;
                   but
                   all
                   is
                   one
                   ,
                   this
                   way
                   I
                   will
                   go
                   ;
                   as
                   it
                   seems
                   good
                   unto
                   him
                   to
                   deal
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   so
                   let
                   it
                   be
                   :
                   And
                   unspeakable
                   are
                   the
                   Advantages
                   which
                   a
                   soul
                   obtains
                   by
                   this
                   
                     self
                     Resignation
                  
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   faith
                   treated
                   of
                   ,
                   will
                   infallibly
                   produce
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 extends
                 it self
                 unto
                 a
                 
                   Resolution
                   of
                   waiting
                   in
                   the
                   condition
                   wherein
                   the
                   soul
                   is
                   .
                
                 This
                 the
                 Church
                 comes
                 unto
                 ,
                 Lam.
                 3.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   that
                   a
                   man
                   should
                   both
                   hope
                   ,
                   and
                   quietly
                   wait
                   for
                   the
                   salvation
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 give
                 over
                 
                   my
                   expectation
                
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 
                   make
                   haste
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 limit
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 lye
                 at
                 his
                 foot
                 ,
                 until
                 his
                 
                   own
                   appointed
                   time
                
                 of
                 mercy
                 shall
                 come
                 .
                 Expectation
                 and
                 Quietness
                 make
                 up
                 waiting
                 .
                 These
                 the
                 soul
                 attains
                 unto
                 ,
                 with
                 this
                 supportment
                 .
                 It
                 looks
                 upwards
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   servant
                   that
                   looks
                   to
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   his
                   Master
                   ,
                
                 still
                 fixed
                 on
                 God
                 to
                 see
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 speak
                 concerning
                 him
                 ;
                 missing
                 no
                 season
                 ,
                 no
                 opportunity
                 wherein
                 any
                 discovery
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 quietness
                 ,
                 without
                 repining
                 ,
                 or
                 murmuring
                 ,
                 turning
                 all
                 his
                 complaints
                 against
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 vileness
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 cut
                 him
                 short
                 from
                 a
                 participation
                 of
                 that
                 fulness
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Grace
                 which
                 is
                 with
                 God.
                 That
                 this
                 Effect
                 also
                 attends
                 this
                 Faith
                 ,
                 will
                 fully
                 appear
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 the
                 Psalm
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 supports
                 unto
                 
                   waiting
                   in
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   all
                   means
                
                 for
                 the
                 attainment
                 of
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 hath
                 its
                 Effect
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 our
                 obedience
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   thou
                   maist
                   be
                   feared
                
                 .
                 To
                 
                   fear
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 
                 expression
                 comprehensive
                 of
                 his
                 whole
                 Worship
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 our
                 duty
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 am
                 encouraged
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 unto
                 ,
                 in
                 my
                 depths
                 ;
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 abide
                 in
                 
                   all
                   duties
                
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 
                   wayes
                   of
                   thy
                   Worship
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 found
                 .
                 And
                 however
                 it
                 be
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 the
                 latter
                 end
                 of
                 that
                 soul
                 who
                 thus
                 abideth
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 peace
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 nextly
                 see
                 by
                 what
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 it
                 yields
                 this
                 supportment
                 .
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 begets
                 a
                 liking
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 consequently
                 some
                 love
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 apprehends
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 infinitely
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 and
                 delighted
                 in
                 by
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 a
                 share
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 but
                 consider
                 him
                 
                   as
                   good
                   and
                   gracious
                
                 ,
                 however
                 its
                 own
                 estate
                 be
                 hazardous
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Yet
                   God
                   is
                   good
                   to
                
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   such
                   as
                   are
                   of
                   a
                   clean
                   heart
                   ,
                   as
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   my
                   feet
                   were
                   almost
                   gone
                   ,
                   my
                   steps
                   had
                   well
                   nigh
                   slipt
                   .
                
                 However
                 the
                 state
                 stands
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 
                   good
                   ,
                   good
                   to
                   Israel
                
                 ;
                 and
                 therewith
                 shall
                 I
                 support
                 my self
                 .
                 When
                 once
                 this
                 ground
                 is
                 got
                 upon
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 considers
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 as
                 one
                 to
                 be
                 delighted
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 loved
                 ,
                 great
                 and
                 blessed
                 effects
                 will
                 ensue
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Self-abhorrency
                 and
                 Condemnation
                 ,
                 with
                 Resignation
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 permanency
                 therein
                 ,
                 do
                 certainly
                 attend
                 it
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 Still
                 somewhat
                 or
                 other
                 in
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 mind
                 to
                 relieve
                 it
                 under
                 faintings
                 ,
                 some
                 new
                 
                   springs
                   of
                   hope
                
                 will
                 be
                 every
                 day
                 opened
                 .
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 And
                 the
                 soul
                 will
                 be
                 insensibly
                 wrought
                 upon
                 to
                 
                   delight
                   it self
                   in
                   dealing
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Though
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 particular
                 ,
                 it
                 meets
                 with
                 frowns
                 ,
                 chidings
                 and
                 repulses
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 still
                 relieves
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 so
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   however
                   it
                   be
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 God
                 is
                 good
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 wait
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 Without
                 this
                 discovery
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   likes
                   not
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 whatever
                 it
                 doth
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 it
                 
                   dares
                   do
                   no
                   otherwise
                
                 ,
                 being
                 overawed
                 with
                 his
                 terror
                 and
                 greatness
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 Obedience
                 God
                 may
                 have
                 from
                 Devils
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 removes
                 sundry
                 
                   overwhelming
                   difficulties
                
                 ,
                 that
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 souls
                 way
                 before
                 it
                 close
                 with
                 this
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 takes
                 away
                 all
                 those
                 Hinderances
                 that
                 were
                 formerly
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 severity
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 inexorableness
                 and
                 strictness
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 natural
                 actings
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 rising
                 up
                 against
                 all
                 hopes
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 All
                 these
                 are
                 by
                 
                   this
                   faith
                
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 Where
                 this
                 faith
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 discovers
                 not
                 only
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 
                   true
                   nature
                   of
                   Gospel
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 It
                 reveals
                 it
                 as
                 flowing
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Gracious
                   Heart
                
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Son.
                
                 Now
                 this
                 Propitiation
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 removeth
                 all
                 these
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 even
                 antecedently
                 unto
                 our
                 special
                 sense
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 therein
                 .
                 It
                 shews
                 how
                 all
                 the
                 properties
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 exalted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Law
                 fulfilled
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 forgiveness
                 given
                 out
                 to
                 sinners
                 .
                 And
                 herein
                 lyes
                 no
                 small
                 advantage
                 unto
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 approaches
                 unto
                 God.
                 All
                 those
                 dreadful
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 beset
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 thoughts
                 of
                 
                   coming
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 are
                 now
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 quietly
                 apply
                 himself
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 particular
                 concernments
                 before
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 particular
                 ,
                 it
                 removes
                 the
                 
                   overwhelming
                   consideration
                   of
                   the
                   unspeakable
                   greatness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 This
                 presseth
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 death
                 when
                 once
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 possessed
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Were
                 not
                 their
                 sins
                 
                   so
                   great
                
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 no
                 heart
                 can
                 imagine
                 ,
                 or
                 tongue
                 declare
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 possibly
                 be
                 well
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 say
                 distressed
                 sinners
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 troubled
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                   great
                   sinners
                
                 ;
                 Not
                 that
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 sins
                 they
                 are
                 guilty
                 of
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 attended
                 with
                 fearful
                 aggravations
                 .
                 Otherwise
                 they
                 could
                 deal
                 well
                 enough
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 though
                 this
                 discovery
                 free
                 men
                 not
                 from
                 the
                 entanglement
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 as
                 theirs
                 ;
                 yet
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 whole
                 entanglement
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 great
                 and
                 many
                 .
                 This
                 consideration
                 may
                 be
                 abstracted
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 sees
                 enough
                 in
                 God
                 to
                 forgive
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 as
                 yet
                 ,
                 to
                 forgive
                 
                   his
                   sins
                
                 .
                 That
                 
                   great
                   sins
                
                 shall
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 this
                 discovery
                 puts
                 out
                 of
                 Question
                 .
                 Whether
                 
                   his
                   sin
                
                 shall
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 all
                 the
                 enquiry
                 .
                 Whatever
                 
                   any
                   faith
                
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   this
                   faith
                
                 will
                 do
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 making
                 of
                 
                   particular
                   Application
                
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 believed
                 unto
                 it self
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 then
                 can
                 no
                 longer
                 justly
                 be
                 troubled
                 about
                 the
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 the
                 infiniteness
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 he
                 sees
                 in
                 God
                 will
                 relieve
                 him
                 against
                 it
                 .
                 All
                 
                 that
                 remains
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 
                   own
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 to
                 deal
                 ;
                 whereof
                 afterwards
                 .
                 These
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 difficulties
                 are
                 removed
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 gives
                 some
                 Life
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 Encouragement
                 unto
                 duty
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 (
                 First
                 )
                 Unto
                 
                   duty
                   as
                   duty
                
                 ;
                 Eying
                 God
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 fulness
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 
                   meet
                   him
                
                 in
                 every
                 way
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 upon
                 him
                 thereby
                 .
                 Every
                 way
                 
                   leading
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 as
                 leading
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 well
                 liked
                 and
                 approved
                 of
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 )
                 To
                 
                   all
                   duties
                
                 ;
                 and
                 herein
                 lyes
                 no
                 small
                 advantage
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 oftentimes
                 found
                 in
                 duties
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 what
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 what
                 kind
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 is
                 uncertain
                 .
                 This
                 faith
                 puts
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   on
                   all
                
                 :
                 So
                 it
                 did
                 the
                 Spouse
                 in
                 the
                 parallel
                 to
                 that
                 in
                 hand
                 .
                 Cant.
                 3.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Now
                 what
                 supportment
                 may
                 be
                 hence
                 obtained
                 is
                 easily
                 apprehended
                 ;
                 supportment
                 not
                 
                   from
                   them
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   by
                   them
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   in
                   them
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 entercourse
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 From
                 these
                 Effects
                 of
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 there
                 things
                 will
                 ensue
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 sufficient
                 to
                 maintain
                 the
                 
                   spiritual
                   life
                
                 of
                 the
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 A
                 Resolution
                 to
                 
                   abide
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 commit
                 all
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 observed
                 ,
                 teaches
                 us
                 ;
                 
                   There
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   feared
                   .
                
                 Because
                 this
                 I
                 found
                 ,
                 this
                 I
                 am
                 perswaded
                 of
                 ,
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 abide
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 his
                 Fear
                 and
                 Worship
                 .
                 This
                 our
                 Saviour
                 calls
                 unto
                 ,
                 John
                 15.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Abide
                   in
                   me
                
                 ;
                 except
                 you
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 
                   ye
                   can
                   hear
                   no
                   fruit
                
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Lord
                 representing
                 his
                 taking
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 unto
                 himself
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Type
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 
                   taking
                   an
                   Adulteress
                
                 in
                 vision
                 ,
                 doth
                 it
                 on
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   abide
                   for
                   me
                   many
                   dayes
                   ;
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   play
                   the
                   Harlot
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   be
                   for
                   another
                   man
                   ,
                   so
                   will
                   I
                   also
                   be
                   for
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Now
                 this
                 abiding
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 intimates
                 two
                 things
                 :
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Oppositions
                 ,
                 Solicitations
                 ,
                 and
                 Temptations
                 unto
                 the
                 contrary
                 :
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 
                   Forbearing
                   to
                   make
                   any
                   other
                   choice
                   ,
                
                 as
                 unto
                 that
                 end
                 for
                 which
                 we
                 abide
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 argues
                 Oppositions
                 .
                 To
                 abide
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 stable
                 ,
                 and
                 permanent
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 against
                 Oppositions
                 .
                 Many
                 discouragements
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 rise
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 against
                 it
                 :
                 In
                 Fears
                 especially
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 hold
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 rejected
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 is
                 nought
                 and
                 ●ypocritical
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 indeed
                 regards
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 may
                 well
                 enough
                 
                   give
                   over
                
                 its
                 hopes
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 often
                 as
                 the
                 
                   giving
                   up
                   of
                   the
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 will
                 assault
                 it
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 Oppositions
                 arise
                 from
                 corruptions
                 and
                 temptations
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 faith
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 often
                 proceed
                 to
                 an
                 high
                 degree
                 of
                 prevalency
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 guilt
                 contracted
                 upon
                 them
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 cast
                 the
                 soul
                 quite
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 expectation
                 of
                 mercy
                 :
                 I
                 shall
                 one
                 day
                 perish
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   these
                   means
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 already
                 lost
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 where
                 faith
                 hath
                 made
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 will
                 abide
                 with
                 God
                 against
                 all
                 these
                 discouragements
                 and
                 Oppositions
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 leave
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 give
                 over
                 waiting
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 David
                 expresseth
                 the
                 matter
                 in
                 the
                 instance
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 73.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   But
                   as
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   my
                   feet
                   were
                   almost
                   gone
                   ,
                   my
                   steps
                   had
                   well
                   nigh
                   slipt
                
                 :
                 and
                 v.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   Verily
                   I
                   have
                   cleansed
                   my
                   heart
                   in
                   vain
                
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 after
                 all
                 his
                 conflicts
                 ,
                 this
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 comes
                 unto
                 ,
                 v.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   Though
                   my
                   flesh
                   and
                   my
                   heart
                   faileth
                   ,
                   yet
                
                 (
                 v.
                 28.
                 )
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   me
                   to
                   draw
                   near
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 I
                 will
                 yet
                 abide
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 go
                 his
                 fear
                 ,
                 nor
                 my
                 profession
                 .
                 Although
                 I
                 walk
                 weakly
                 ,
                 lamely
                 ,
                 unevenly
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 will
                 still
                 follow
                 after
                 him
                 .
                 As
                 it
                 was
                 with
                 the
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 when
                 many
                 upon
                 a
                 
                   strong
                   temptation
                
                 went
                 back
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 walked
                 no
                 more
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   Jesus
                   said
                   unto
                   them
                   ,
                   will
                   ye
                   go
                   away
                   also
                   ?
                
                 to
                 which
                 Peter
                 replyes
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   to
                   whom
                   shall
                   we
                   go
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   Eternal
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 John
                 6.
                 66
                 ,
                 67
                 ,
                 68.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 thus
                 and
                 thus
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 
                   tossed
                   and
                   afflicted
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   comforted
                
                 ;
                 little
                 life
                 ,
                 little
                 strength
                 ,
                 real
                 guilt
                 ,
                 many
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 disconsolation
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 ,
                 faith
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   Wilt
                   thou
                   go
                   away
                   also
                
                 ?
                 no
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 abide
                 with
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 abiding
                 with
                 God
                 argues
                 a
                 
                   forbearance
                   of
                   any
                   other
                   choice
                
                 .
                 Whilst
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 having
                 not
                 attained
                 
                 any
                 evidences
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 special
                 interest
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 :
                 Many
                 Lovers
                 will
                 be
                 soliciting
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 
                   play
                   the
                   harlot
                
                 by
                 taking
                 them
                 into
                 its
                 embraces
                 .
                 Both
                 self-righteousness
                 and
                 sin
                 will
                 be
                 very
                 importunate
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 The
                 former
                 tenders
                 it self
                 as
                 exceeding
                 useful
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 soul
                 some
                 Help
                 ,
                 Assistance
                 ,
                 and
                 supportment
                 in
                 its
                 condition
                 .
                 Samuel
                 doth
                 not
                 come
                 saith
                 Saul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Philistins
                 invade
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 venture
                 and
                 
                   offer
                   Sacrifice
                
                 my self
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 Law.
                 The
                 Promise
                 doth
                 not
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 for
                 its
                 particular
                 relief
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 no
                 evidence
                 as
                 to
                 an
                 especial
                 interest
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 :
                 Temptation
                 invades
                 the
                 mind
                 ;
                 try
                 thy self
                 ,
                 sayes
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 relief
                 in
                 somewhat
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 providing
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 play
                 the
                 harlot
                 from
                 God.
                 To
                 this
                 purpose
                 self-righteousness
                 variously
                 disguises
                 it self
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 
                   Wise
                   of
                   Jeroboam
                
                 when
                 she
                 went
                 to
                 the
                 Prophet
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 it
                 appears
                 
                   as
                   duty
                
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 as
                 signs
                 ,
                 and
                 tokens
                 ;
                 but
                 its
                 end
                 is
                 to
                 get
                 somewhat
                 of
                 the
                 faith
                 and
                 trust
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 be
                 fixed
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 soul
                 hath
                 indeed
                 a
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 give
                 ear
                 to
                 these
                 solicitations
                 .
                 No
                 saith
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 such
                 a
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 Excellency
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 desireableness
                 and
                 suitableness
                 unto
                 my
                 wants
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 resolved
                 to
                 abide
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 desire
                 and
                 expectation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 ;
                 here
                 my
                 
                   choice
                   is
                   fixed
                
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 alter
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 
                   Resolution
                   gives
                   glory
                   to
                   the
                   Grace
                   of
                   God.
                
                 When
                 the
                 soul
                 without
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 prefers
                 it
                 above
                 that
                 which
                 with
                 many
                 reasonings
                 and
                 pretences
                 offers
                 it self
                 as
                 a
                 present
                 relief
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 Hereby
                 is
                 
                   God
                   glorified
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 exalted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 spiritual
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 secured
                 .
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 discovery
                 of
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 with
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 it
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 will
                 produce
                 a
                 Resolution
                 of
                 
                   waiting
                   on
                   God
                
                 for
                 peace
                 and
                 consolation
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   his
                   own
                   time
                   and
                   way
                   .
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   will
                   not
                   make
                   haste
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 28.
                 16.
                 not
                 make
                 haste
                 ;
                 to
                 what
                 ?
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 believed
                 .
                 Haste
                 argues
                 precipitation
                 and
                 impatience
                 ;
                 this
                 the
                 soul
                 that
                 hath
                 this
                 discovery
                 is
                 freed
                 from
                 ,
                 resolving
                 to
                 wait
                 the
                 
                   time
                   of
                   Gods
                   appointment
                
                 ,
                 for
                 peace
                 and
                 consolation
                 ;
                 God
                 speaking
                 of
                 his
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   the
                   Lord
                   will
                   hasten
                
                 
                 it
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 60.
                 22.
                 
                 Well
                 then
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 will
                 hasten
                 it
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 we
                 
                   hasten
                   to
                   it
                
                 ?
                 nay
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 
                   hasten
                   it
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   its
                   time
                   .
                
                 All
                 oppositions
                 and
                 impediments
                 considered
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 hastned
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 
                   its
                   time
                
                 ,
                 its
                 due
                 time
                 ,
                 its
                 appointed
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 As
                 when
                 Jacob
                 had
                 seen
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Rachel
                 and
                 loved
                 her
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 contented
                 to
                 
                   wait
                   seven
                   years
                
                 for
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 her
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 wife
                 ;
                 and
                 thought
                 no
                 time
                 long
                 ,
                 no
                 toyle
                 too
                 hard
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 obtain
                 her
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 soul
                 having
                 discovered
                 the
                 beauty
                 and
                 excellency
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 gracious
                 Heart
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 eternal
                 purpose
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 is
                 resolved
                 to
                 wait
                 quietly
                 and
                 patiently
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 wherein
                 God
                 will
                 clear
                 up
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 s
                 own
                 personal
                 interest
                 therein
                 ;
                 Even
                 one
                 
                   experimental
                   embracement
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 even
                 at
                 the
                 
                   hour
                   of
                   death
                
                 ,
                 doth
                 well
                 deserve
                 the
                 waiting
                 ,
                 and
                 obedience
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 a
                 mans
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 manifests
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 the
                 Effect
                 produced
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 and
                 spirit
                 ;
                 For
                 upon
                 this
                 discovery
                 of
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 he
                 resolveth
                 both
                 to
                 wait
                 upon
                 him
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 encourageth
                 others
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 
                 3.
                 
                 This
                 
                   prepares
                   the
                   soul
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   receiving
                   of
                   that
                   consolation
                
                 and
                 deliverance
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 pressures
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 a
                 special
                 interest
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 waiteth
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 For
                 this
                 makes
                 men
                 to
                 
                   hearken
                   after
                   it
                
                 ;
                 It
                 makes
                 the
                 soul
                 like
                 the
                 Merchant
                 who
                 hath
                 great
                 Riches
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 wealth
                 in
                 a
                 far
                 Country
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 endeavouring
                 to
                 bring
                 home
                 safe
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 come
                 he
                 is
                 
                   well
                   provided
                   for
                
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 miscarry
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 lost
                 and
                 undone
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 him
                 hearken
                 after
                 tydings
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 safe
                 there
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 Solomon
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   Good
                   news
                
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 from
                 
                   a
                   far
                   Countrey
                   is
                   as
                   cold
                   water
                   to
                   a
                   thirsty
                   soul
                   ,
                
                 (
                 Prov.
                 25.
                 25.
                 
                 )
                 full
                 of
                 refreshment
                 .
                 Though
                 he
                 cannot
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 as
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 yet
                 absolutely
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 them
                 not
                 in
                 possession
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 glad
                 they
                 are
                 safe
                 there
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 These
                 Riches
                 that
                 it
                 so
                 values
                 are
                 as
                 to
                 its
                 apprehensions
                 in
                 a
                 far
                 Country
                 :
                 So
                 is
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   behold
                   the
                   Land
                   that
                   is
                   very
                   far
                   off
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 33.
                 17.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 hear
                 newes
                 
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 safe
                 ;
                 to
                 hear
                 
                   forgiveness
                   preached
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Promises
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 cannot
                 as
                 yet
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 as
                 his
                 own
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Merchant
                 resis
                 not
                 here
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 hearkeneth
                 with
                 much
                 solicitousness
                 after
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 should
                 bring
                 home
                 his
                 riches
                 ,
                 especially
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 in
                 them
                 his
                 All.
                 Hence
                 such
                 Ships
                 are
                 called
                 
                   Ships
                   of
                   desire
                
                 ,
                 Job
                 9.
                 26.
                 
                 Such
                 a
                 man
                 greatly
                 desires
                 the
                 speeding
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 their
                 Port.
                 He
                 considers
                 the
                 Wind
                 and
                 the
                 Weather
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 occasions
                 and
                 inconveniences
                 and
                 danger
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ;
                 And
                 blame
                 him
                 not
                 ;
                 his
                 All
                 is
                 at
                 stake
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 doth
                 so
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 ;
                 it
                 hearkneth
                 after
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 whereby
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 may
                 be
                 particularly
                 brought
                 home
                 unto
                 it
                 ;
                 is
                 afraid
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 glad
                 to
                 find
                 a
                 fresh
                 Gale
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 hoping
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 bring
                 in
                 his
                 Return
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Land
                   of
                   Promise
                
                 .
                 This
                 prepares
                 the
                 heart
                 for
                 a
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 revealed
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 It
                 so
                 prepares
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 by
                 giving
                 it
                 a
                 due
                 Valuation
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 desired
                 .
                 The
                 Merchantman
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 was
                 not
                 prepared
                 to
                 enjoy
                 the
                 Pearl
                 himself
                 ,
                 until
                 it
                 was
                 discovered
                 to
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 great
                 price
                 ;
                 then
                 he
                 knew
                 how
                 to
                 purchase
                 it
                 ,
                 procure
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 having
                 by
                 this
                 acting
                 of
                 faith
                 upon
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 come
                 to
                 find
                 that
                 the
                 
                   pearl
                   hid
                   in
                   the
                   field
                   is
                   indeed
                   precious
                   ,
                
                 is
                 both
                 stirred
                 up
                 to
                 seek
                 after
                 possession
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 it
                 its
                 due
                 .
                 Saith
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 
                   How
                   excellent
                   ,
                   how
                   precious
                   is
                   this
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                   ?
                   Blessed
                   ,
                   yea
                   ever
                   blessed
                   are
                   they
                   who
                   are
                   made
                   partakers
                   of
                   it
                   !
                   What
                   a
                   life
                   of
                   Joy
                   ,
                   Rest
                   ,
                   Peace
                   ,
                   and
                   Consolation
                   do
                   they
                   lead
                   ?
                   Had
                   I
                   but
                   their
                   Evidence
                   of
                   an
                   interest
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   spiritual
                   consolation
                   that
                   ensues
                   thereon
                   ,
                   How
                   would
                   I
                   despise
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   temptations
                   of
                   Satan
                   ,
                   and
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   in
                   every
                   condition
                   ?
                
                 And
                 this
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 also
                 exceedingly
                 prepares
                 and
                 fits
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 receiving
                 of
                 a
                 blessed
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 God
                 may
                 have
                 glory
                 thereby
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 fits
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 giving
                 a
                 
                   Right
                   Understanding
                
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 of
                 its
                 Nature
                 ,
                 its
                 Causes
                 ,
                 and
                 Effects
                 .
                 At
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 goes
                 no
                 further
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 look
                 after
                 impunity
                 ,
                 or
                 freedom
                 from
                 punishment
                 ,
                 any
                 way
                 .
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   I
                   do
                   to
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 is
                 the
                 utmost
                 it
                 
                 aims
                 at
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   shall
                   deliver
                   me
                   ,
                   how
                   shall
                   I
                   escape
                   ?
                
                 And
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 contented
                 to
                 escape
                 any
                 way
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 one
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 may
                 escape
                 .
                 But
                 upon
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 treated
                 of
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 made
                 by
                 faith
                 of
                 
                   Adherence
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 plainly
                 sees
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 excellent
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 desired
                 for
                 
                   its
                   own
                   sake
                
                 .
                 Indeed
                 when
                 a
                 soul
                 is
                 brought
                 under
                 trouble
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 knows
                 not
                 well
                 what
                 it
                 would
                 have
                 .
                 It
                 hath
                 an
                 uneasiness
                 ,
                 or
                 disquietment
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 ;
                 a
                 dread
                 of
                 some
                 evil
                 condition
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 avoid
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 the
                 soul
                 can
                 tell
                 what
                 it
                 desires
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 aims
                 at
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 what
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 .
                 It
                 would
                 have
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 
                   Eternal
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 have
                 the
                 gracious
                 kindness
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 turned
                 towards
                 it self
                 ;
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 everlasting
                 purpose
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 
                   shed
                   abroad
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                
                 ;
                 have
                 an
                 especial
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 precious
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whereby
                 Attonement
                 is
                 made
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 be
                 testified
                 unto
                 his
                 Conscience
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 promise
                 mixed
                 with
                 faith
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 he
                 comes
                 for
                 ,
                 this
                 way
                 alone
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 saved
                 and
                 no
                 other
                 ;
                 It
                 sees
                 such
                 a
                 Glory
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 Exaltation
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Offices
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 undertaking
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 his
                 
                   Death
                   ,
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 and
                 bloodshedding
                 whereby
                 he
                 procured
                 or
                 made
                 Reconciliation
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 exceedingly
                 longs
                 after
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 these
                 things
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 degrees
                 ,
                 will
                 this
                 
                   discovery
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 without
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 an
                 especial
                 interest
                 therein
                 produce
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 will
                 assuredly
                 maintain
                 the
                 
                   spiritual
                   life
                
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 it
                 up
                 unto
                 such
                 an
                 obedience
                 as
                 shall
                 be
                 accepted
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ.
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 storms
                 ,
                 they
                 in
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 may
                 meet
                 withal
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 eternal
                 condition
                 is
                 secured
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 their
                 souls
                 are
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 bundle
                 of
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 From
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 some
                 Inferences
                 in
                 our
                 passage
                 concerning
                 the
                 true
                 notion
                 of
                 believing
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
               
                 
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 These
                 Effects
                 ascribed
                 to
                 this
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 in
                 God
                 and
                 alwayes
                 produced
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 make
                 it
                 evident
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 pretend
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 who
                 pretend
                 to
                 
                   believe
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 do
                 indeed
                 believe
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 Although
                 I
                 shall
                 on
                 set
                 purpose
                 afterwards
                 evince
                 this
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 cannot
                 here
                 utterly
                 pass
                 it
                 by
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 then
                 only
                 demand
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 forward
                 in
                 the
                 profession
                 of
                 this
                 faith
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 think
                 it
                 
                   almost
                   impossible
                
                 that
                 any
                 one
                 should
                 not
                 believe
                 it
                 ;
                 what
                 Effects
                 it
                 hath
                 produced
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 whether
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 by
                 it
                 enabled
                 to
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 duties
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ?
                 I
                 fear
                 with
                 many
                 ,
                 things
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 their
                 
                   pretended
                   faith
                
                 are
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 .
                 They
                 
                   love
                   sin
                
                 the
                 more
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 
                   never
                   the
                   better
                
                 ;
                 supposing
                 that
                 a
                 few
                 
                   barren
                   words
                
                 will
                 issue
                 the
                 controversie
                 about
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 they
                 become
                 insensibly
                 to
                 have
                 
                   slight
                   thoughts
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 God
                 also
                 .
                 This
                 perswasion
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 calls
                 us
                 .
                 Poor
                 souls
                 ,
                 your
                 faith
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Devils
                   greatest
                   Engine
                
                 for
                 your
                 ruine
                 ;
                 the
                 highest
                 contempt
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Christ
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 can
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 ;
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 let
                 you
                 down
                 quietly
                 into
                 Hell
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   Pharisees
                   Moses
                
                 ,
                 trusted
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 condemn
                 you
                 ;
                 As
                 none
                 is
                 saved
                 but
                 
                   by
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 for
                 your
                 faith
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 you
                 call
                 it
                 )
                 might
                 possibly
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 mans
                 Gold
                 prove
                 counterfeit
                 ,
                 his
                 Jewels
                 painted
                 Glass
                 ,
                 his
                 Silver
                 lead
                 or
                 dross
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 found
                 poor
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 to
                 be
                 tryed
                 ,
                 and
                 want
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 Riches
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 withal
                 a
                 fearful
                 aggravation
                 of
                 his
                 poverty
                 by
                 his
                 disappointment
                 and
                 surprizal
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 mans
                 faith
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 more
                 
                   precious
                   than
                   Gold
                
                 ,
                 be
                 found
                 rotten
                 and
                 corrupt
                 ,
                 if
                 his
                 light
                 be
                 darkness
                 ,
                 how
                 vile
                 is
                 that
                 faith
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 is
                 that
                 darkness
                 ?
                 Such
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 will
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 too
                 many
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 this
                 business
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 work
                 we
                 are
                 carrying
                 on
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   rising
                   of
                   a
                   sin
                   entangled
                   soul
                   out
                   of
                   its
                   depths
                   ,
                
                 and
                 this
                 we
                 have
                 spoken
                 unto
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 must
                 give
                 him
                 his
                 first
                 relief
                 .
                 Commonly
                 when
                 souls
                 are
                 in
                 distress
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 look
                 after
                 is
                 Consolation
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 they
                 intend
                 thereby
                 ?
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 Assurance
                 that
                 their
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 their
                 present
                 perplexities
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 ?
                 Some
                 of
                 them
                 
                 continue
                 complaining
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 come
                 to
                 Rest
                 or
                 Peace
                 ;
                 so
                 far
                 do
                 they
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 
                   Consolation
                   and
                   Joy.
                
                 And
                 some
                 are
                 utterly
                 discouraged
                 from
                 attempting
                 any
                 progress
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 God.
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Reason
                 hereof
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 fain
                 be
                 finishing
                 their
                 building
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 laid
                 the
                 foundation
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 not
                 yet
                 made
                 through
                 work
                 in
                 
                   believing
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 would
                 immediately
                 be
                 at
                 Assurance
                 in
                 themselves
                 .
                 Now
                 God
                 delights
                 not
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 frame
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 selfish
                 ;
                 The
                 great
                 design
                 of
                 faith
                 is
                 to
                 
                   give
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 20.
                 
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 Gods
                 giving
                 out
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 his
                 
                   glorious
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 But
                 let
                 a
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 frame
                 have
                 peace
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 very
                 little
                 solicitous
                 about
                 giving
                 glory
                 unto
                 God.
                 He
                 cryes
                 like
                 
                   Rachel
                   ,
                   Give
                   me
                   children
                   or
                   I
                   dye
                
                 ;
                 give
                 me
                 peace
                 ,
                 or
                 I
                 perish
                 .
                 That
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 honoured
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 he
                 seeks
                 after
                 be
                 rendred
                 glorious
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 cared
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 place
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 This
                 
                   selfish
                   earnestness
                
                 ,
                 at
                 first
                 to
                 be
                 thrusting
                 our
                 hand
                 in
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 pardon
                 in
                 many
                 ,
                 but
                 accepts
                 in
                 none
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 impatient
                 .
                 Men
                 do
                 thus
                 deport
                 themselves
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 wait
                 .
                 They
                 do
                 not
                 care
                 for
                 
                   standing
                   afar
                   off
                
                 for
                 any
                 season
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Publican
                 .
                 They
                 love
                 not
                 to
                 submit
                 their
                 souls
                 to
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 
                   foot
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 disposal
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 concernments
                 .
                 This
                 waiting
                 comprizeth
                 the
                 
                   universal
                   subjection
                
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 resolved
                 Judgement
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 meet
                 and
                 right
                 that
                 we
                 and
                 all
                 we
                 desire
                 and
                 aim
                 at
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 at
                 his
                 Soveraign
                 disposal
                 .
                 This
                 
                   gives
                   glory
                
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 a
                 duty
                 which
                 the
                 impatience
                 of
                 these
                 poor
                 souls
                 will
                 not
                 admit
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 ;
                 and
                 both
                 these
                 arise
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 From
                 weakness
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 weak
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 weakness
                 in
                 any
                 condition
                 that
                 makes
                 men
                 restless
                 and
                 weary
                 .
                 The
                 state
                 of
                 Adherence
                 is
                 as
                 safe
                 a
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Assurance
                 ;
                 only
                 it
                 hath
                 more
                 combats
                 and
                 wrestling
                 attending
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 then
                 
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   event
                
                 ,
                 but
                 weakness
                 and
                 weariness
                 of
                 the
                 combat
                 that
                 make
                 men
                 anxiously
                 solicitous
                 about
                 a
                 deliverance
                 from
                 
                 that
                 state
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 entered
                 into
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 then
                 the
                 sin
                 entangled
                 soul
                 remember
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 this
                 Way
                 ,
                 Method
                 ,
                 and
                 Order
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 Exercise
                 
                   faith
                   on
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 fixed
                 therein
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 have
                 a
                 ground
                 and
                 foundation
                 whereon
                 it
                 may
                 stand
                 securely
                 ,
                 in
                 making
                 Application
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 it self
                 .
                 Drive
                 this
                 principle
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 unto
                 a
                 stable
                 issue
                 upon
                 Gospel
                 evidences
                 ;
                 Answer
                 the
                 Objections
                 that
                 lye
                 against
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 you
                 may
                 proceed
                 .
                 In
                 believing
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 makes
                 a
                 conquest
                 upon
                 Satans
                 Territories
                 .
                 Do
                 then
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 entring
                 on
                 an
                 Enemies
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 secure
                 the
                 passages
                 ,
                 fortifie
                 the
                 Strong
                 holds
                 as
                 you
                 go
                 on
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 be
                 not
                 cut
                 off
                 in
                 your
                 progress
                 .
                 Be
                 not
                 as
                 a
                 
                   Ship
                   at
                   Sea
                
                 which
                 passeth
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 possessed
                 or
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 Water
                 it
                 hath
                 gone
                 through
                 ;
                 than
                 of
                 that
                 whereunto
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 arrrived
                 .
                 But
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 fixeth
                 not
                 on
                 these
                 
                   foundation
                   principles
                
                 ;
                 he
                 presseth
                 forwards
                 and
                 the
                 ground
                 crumbles
                 away
                 under
                 his
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 he
                 wilders
                 away
                 all
                 his
                 dayes
                 in
                 uncertainties
                 .
                 Would
                 men
                 but
                 lay
                 this
                 principle
                 well
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 secure
                 it
                 against
                 assaults
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 proceed
                 though
                 not
                 with
                 so
                 
                   much
                   speed
                
                 as
                 some
                 do
                 ,
                 yet
                 with
                 
                   more
                   safety
                
                 .
                 Some
                 pretend
                 at
                 once
                 to
                 fall
                 into
                 
                   full
                   Assurance
                
                 ,
                 I
                 wish
                 it
                 prove
                 not
                 a
                 
                   broad
                   presumption
                
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 
                   strive
                   to
                   flye
                
                 ,
                 who
                 cannot
                 yet
                 go
                 ;
                 to
                 labour
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 
                   Assurance
                   in
                   himself
                
                 who
                 never
                 well
                 believed
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God.
                
                 Now
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 enabled
                 to
                 fix
                 this
                 perswasion
                 against
                 all
                 opposition
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 I
                 shall
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 out
                 such
                 
                   unquestionable
                   evidences
                
                 of
                 this
                 Gospel
                 truth
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 soul
                 may
                 safely
                 build
                 and
                 rest
                 upon
                 :
                 And
                 these
                 contain
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 principal
                 Proposition
                 before
                 laid
                 down
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Evidences
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   in
                   God.
                   No
                   inbred
                   Notions
                   of
                   any
                   free
                   Acts
                   of
                   Gods
                   Will.
                   Forgiveness
                   not
                   revealed
                   by
                   the
                   Works
                   of
                   Nature
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   Law.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 spoken
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 of
                 two
                 sorts
                 :
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Natural
                 and
                 Necessary
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 his
                 
                   Essential
                   properties
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Attributes
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Omnipotency
                 ,
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 called
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   That
                   which
                   may
                   be
                   known
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 wayes
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 there
                 declares
                 ,
                 whereby
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 there
                 intimates
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 ,
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 By
                 the
                 
                   inbred
                   light
                   of
                   Nature
                
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   manifest
                   in
                   themselves
                
                 ;
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 ;
                 They
                 are
                 taught
                 it
                 by
                 the
                 common
                 conceptions
                 and
                 presumptions
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 nature
                 .
                 From
                 hence
                 do
                 all
                 mankind
                 know
                 concerning
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   He
                   is
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 Eternal
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 Powerful
                 ,
                 Good
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 Holy
                 ,
                 Omnipotent
                 .
                 There
                 needs
                 no
                 
                   special
                   Revelation
                
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 that
                 men
                 may
                 know
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 indeed
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 
                   known
                   savingly
                
                 there
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 they
                 that
                 know
                 these
                 things
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 do
                 also
                 believe
                 them
                 on
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   cometh
                   unto
                   God
                   must
                   BELIEVE
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   rewarder
                   .
                
                 Though
                 men
                 
                   KNOW
                   God
                
                 by
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 cannot
                 COME
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 that
                 knowledge
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 These
                 
                   Essential
                   properties
                
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 revealed
                 by
                 his
                 WORKS
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 place
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 20.
                 
                 
                   The
                   invisible
                   things
                   of
                   God
                   from
                   the
                   creation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   are
                   clearly
                   seen
                   ,
                   being
                   understood
                   by
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   made
                   ,
                   even
                   his
                   Eternal
                   Power
                   and
                   Godhead
                
                 :
                 See
                 also
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 19.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 sort
                 of
                 things
                 that
                 
                   may
                   be
                   known
                
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 the
                 
                   free
                   Acts
                   of
                   his
                   Will
                
                 and
                 Power
                 ;
                 or
                 his
                 free
                 
                   eternal
                   purposes
                
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 
                   temporal
                   dispensations
                
                 that
                 flow
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 of
                 this
                 sort
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 enquiring
                 after
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 property
                 of
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 Act
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Work
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 Although
                 it
                 hath
                 its
                 rise
                 and
                 spring
                 in
                 the
                 infinite
                 Goodness
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 proceeds
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 exercised
                 but
                 by
                 an
                 
                   absolute
                   free
                   and
                   Soveraign
                   Act
                   of
                   his
                   Will.
                
                 Now
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 of
                 this
                 sort
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 any
                 wayes
                 known
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 especial
                 Revelation
                 :
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 
                   inbred
                   notion
                
                 of
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 Gods
                 Will
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   way
                
                 whereby
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 God.
                 Forgiveness
                 is
                 not
                 revealed
                 by
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 nature
                 .
                 Flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 ,
                 which
                 nature
                 is
                 ,
                 declares
                 it
                 not
                 :
                 By
                 that
                 means
                 ,
                 
                   No
                   man
                   hath
                   seen
                   God
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   ,
                
                 John
                 1.
                 8.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 pardon
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Son
                 reveales
                 him
                 .
                 Adam
                 had
                 an
                 intimate
                 acquaintance
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 limited
                 capacity
                 of
                 a
                 creature
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 properties
                 and
                 excellencies
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 was
                 implanted
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 indispensibly
                 necessary
                 unto
                 that
                 natural
                 worship
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 his
                 creation
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 sinned
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 apprehension
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Such
                 a
                 thought
                 would
                 have
                 laid
                 a
                 foundation
                 of
                 some
                 further
                 treaty
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 his
                 condition
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 other
                 design
                 but
                 of
                 
                   flying
                   and
                   hiding
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 3.
                 10.
                 so
                 declaring
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 utterly
                 ignorant
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 as
                 
                   pardoning
                   mercy
                
                 .
                 Such
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 or
                 purely
                 natural
                 conceptions
                 of
                 sinners
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Judgement
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 32.
                 that
                 sin
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 punished
                 with
                 death
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 these
                 conceptions
                 in
                 many
                 are
                 stifled
                 ,
                 by
                 Rumors
                 ,
                 Reports
                 ,
                 Traditions
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 but
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 far
                 enough
                 from
                 that
                 
                   Revelation
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 enquiring
                 after
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Works
                   of
                   Gods
                   creation
                
                 will
                 not
                 help
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 this
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 The
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 20.
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 
                 his
                 works
                 reveal
                 ;
                 even
                 his
                 
                   eternal
                   power
                   and
                   Godhead
                
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 Essential
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ;
                 but
                 no
                 more
                 :
                 Not
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 
                   purposes
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 not
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 free
                 Acts
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ;
                 not
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Besides
                 God
                 made
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 such
                 an
                 estate
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   Rectitude
                   ,
                   Integrity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Uprightness
                 ,
                 Eccles.
                 7.
                 29.
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 impossible
                 they
                 should
                 have
                 any
                 respect
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Corruption
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 their
                 Restituion
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 stood
                 in
                 no
                 need
                 .
                 There
                 being
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   all
                   things
                
                 were
                 made
                 of
                 nothing
                 ,
                 how
                 could
                 any
                 thing
                 declare
                 or
                 reveal
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 No
                 
                   works
                   of
                   Gods
                   Providence
                
                 can
                 make
                 this
                 discovery
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 indeed
                 born
                 Testimony
                 to
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 Goodness
                 in
                 all
                 Ages
                 from
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 :
                 So
                 Acts
                 14.
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 
                   We
                   preach
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   should
                   turn
                   from
                   these
                   vanities
                   ,
                   unto
                   the
                   living
                   God
                   ,
                   which
                   made
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Sea
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   therein
                   ;
                   who
                   in
                   times
                   past
                   ,
                   suffered
                   all
                   Nations
                   to
                   walk
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   wayes
                   :
                   nevertheless
                   he
                   left
                   not
                   himself
                   without
                   witness
                   ,
                   in
                   that
                   he
                   did
                   good
                   ,
                   and
                   gave
                   us
                   rain
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   fruitful
                   seasons
                   ,
                   filling
                   our
                   hearts
                   with
                   food
                   and
                   gladness
                
                 :
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   left
                   not
                   himself
                   without
                   witness
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 there
                 recounted
                 ,
                 he
                 thus
                 far
                 
                   bare
                   Testimony
                
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   is
                   good
                
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 ruleth
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 utterly
                 inexcusable
                 who
                 taking
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 these
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 his
                 goodness
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 lived
                 upon
                 ,
                 turned
                 away
                 after
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   vain
                   things
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 there
                 calls
                 the
                 Idols
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 these
                 things
                 did
                 not
                 discover
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 For
                 still
                 God
                 suffered
                 them
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 their
                 
                   own
                   wayes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   winked
                   at
                   their
                   Ignorance
                
                 .
                 So
                 again
                 ,
                 Acts
                 17.
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 
                   Whom
                   you
                   ignorantly
                   worship
                   ,
                   him
                   declare
                   I
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   God
                   that
                   made
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   therein
                   ,
                   seeing
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                   dwelleth
                   not
                   in
                   Temples
                   made
                   with
                   hands
                   ,
                   neither
                   is
                   worshipped
                   with
                   mens
                   hands
                   ,
                   as
                   though
                   he
                   needeth
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   seeing
                   he
                   giveth
                   unto
                   all
                   life
                   and
                   breath
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   hath
                   made
                   of
                   one
                   blood
                   all
                   Nations
                   of
                   men
                   for
                   to
                   dwell
                   on
                   all
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   the
                
                 
                 Earth
                 (
                 where
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 allusion
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 Gen.
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   scattered
                   them
                   abroad
                   upon
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 )
                 
                   and
                   hath
                   determined
                   the
                   times
                   before
                   appointed
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   bounds
                   of
                   their
                   habitation
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   seek
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   if
                   happily
                   they
                   might
                   seek
                   after
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   find
                   him
                   ,
                   though
                   he
                   be
                   not
                   far
                   from
                   every
                   one
                   of
                   us
                   .
                
                 By
                 Arguments
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 
                   works
                   of
                   God
                
                 both
                 of
                 Creation
                 and
                 Providence
                 ;
                 the
                 Apostle
                 proves
                 the
                 Being
                 and
                 properties
                 of
                 God.
                 Yea
                 ,
                 he
                 lets
                 them
                 know
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 designed
                 by
                 his
                 works
                 so
                 far
                 to
                 reveal
                 himself
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   true
                   and
                   living
                   God
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Maker
                 and
                 Governour
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 ought
                 to
                 have
                 enquired
                 more
                 diligently
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 look
                 on
                 him
                 alone
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Unknown
                   God
                
                 ,
                 who
                 alone
                 might
                 be
                 known
                 :
                 all
                 their
                 Idols
                 being
                 vain
                 and
                 nothing
                 .
                 But
                 of
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 
                   Pardon
                   and
                   forgiveness
                
                 in
                 God
                 by
                 these
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 ,
                 he
                 speaks
                 not
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 he
                 plainly
                 shews
                 that
                 this
                 was
                 not
                 done
                 thereby
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 
                   Great
                   Call
                
                 to
                 saving
                 Repentance
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 by
                 these
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 God
                 called
                 not
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 to
                 
                   saving
                   Repentance
                
                 .
                 No
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   suffered
                   them
                   to
                   walk
                   still
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   wayes
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 14.
                 16.
                 
                   and
                   winked
                   at
                   the
                   times
                   of
                   their
                   ignorance
                
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 
                   commandeth
                   them
                   to
                   Repent
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 17.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 
                 II.
                 Whereas
                 there
                 had
                 been
                 one
                 
                   signal
                   Act
                   of
                   Gods
                   Providence
                
                 about
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 man
                 first
                 fell
                 into
                 the
                 snares
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 revealing
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 that
                 it
                 rather
                 severely
                 intimated
                 the
                 contrary
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 
                   sinning
                   Angels
                
                 .
                 The
                 Angels
                 were
                 the
                 first
                 sinners
                 ;
                 and
                 God
                 dealt
                 first
                 with
                 them
                 about
                 sin
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 was
                 his
                 dealing
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   spared
                   not
                   the
                   sinning
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 he
                 spared
                 them
                 not
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 word
                 which
                 he
                 useth
                 where
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 laying
                 all
                 our
                 iniquities
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 he
                 undergoing
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 32.
                 
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   spared
                   him
                   not
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 laid
                 on
                 him
                 the
                 
                   full
                   punishment
                
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 Curse
                 and
                 sanction
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 was
                 due
                 unto
                 sin
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 dealt
                 with
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 sinned
                 ;
                 he
                 
                   spared
                   them
                   not
                
                 but
                 inflicted
                 on
                 them
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 shutting
                 them
                 up
                 under
                 
                 chains
                 of
                 darkness
                 for
                 the
                 Judgement
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Day
                 .
                 Hitherto
                 then
                 God
                 keeps
                 all
                 thoughts
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Eternal
                 Bosom
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 least
                 dawning
                 of
                 it
                 upon
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 no
                 small
                 prejudice
                 against
                 any
                 thoughts
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 The
                 world
                 is
                 made
                 ,
                 sin
                 enters
                 by
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Creation
                 ,
                 whose
                 recovery
                 by
                 pardon
                 might
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 desirable
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 appearance
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 discovered
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 was
                 
                   hid
                   in
                   God
                   from
                   the
                   foundation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 3.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 III.
                 God
                 gave
                 unto
                 Man
                 a
                 Law
                 of
                 Obedience
                 immediately
                 upon
                 his
                 Creation
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 implanted
                 it
                 in
                 him
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 Creation
                 .
                 This
                 Law
                 it
                 was
                 supposed
                 that
                 man
                 might
                 transgress
                 .
                 The
                 very
                 nature
                 of
                 a
                 Law
                 prescribed
                 unto
                 
                   free
                   Agents
                
                 ,
                 attended
                 with
                 Threatnings
                 and
                 Promises
                 of
                 Reward
                 ,
                 requires
                 that
                 supposition
                 .
                 Now
                 there
                 was
                 not
                 annexed
                 unto
                 this
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 revealed
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 least
                 intimation
                 of
                 pardon
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 ,
                 if
                 Transgression
                 should
                 ensue
                 .
                 Gen.
                 2.
                 17.
                 we
                 have
                 this
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                   In
                   the
                   day
                   thou
                   eatest
                   thou
                   shalt
                   surely
                   dye
                   :
                   dying
                   thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                
                 ;
                 or
                 bring
                 upon
                 thy self
                 assuredly
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 death
                 temporal
                 and
                 eternal
                 .
                 There
                 God
                 leaves
                 the
                 sinner
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 that
                 commination
                 .
                 Of
                 forgiveness
                 or
                 pardoning
                 mercy
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 intimation
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 very
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 then
                 the
                 whole
                 Rule
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 knows
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 
                   Dying
                   thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                   ,
                   O
                   sinner
                   ,
                
                 is
                 the
                 precise
                 and
                 final
                 voyce
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 From
                 these
                 previous
                 considerations
                 ,
                 added
                 to
                 what
                 was
                 formerly
                 spoken
                 ,
                 some
                 things
                 preparatory
                 to
                 the
                 ensuing
                 discourse
                 may
                 be
                 inferred
                 :
                 as
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   great
                   and
                   rare
                   thing
                
                 to
                 have
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 discovered
                 unto
                 a
                 sinful
                 soul.
                 A
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ,
                 Conscience
                 and
                 Law
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 inbred
                 Notions
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 about
                 Gods
                 
                   Holiness
                   and
                   Vindictive
                   Justice
                
                 do
                 lye
                 against
                 .
                 A
                 matter
                 whereof
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 
                   natural
                   presumption
                
                 ;
                 whereof
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   common
                   notion
                
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 man.
                 A
                 thing
                 which
                 no
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 Creation
                 or
                 Providence
                 will
                 reveal
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 the
                 great
                 Instance
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 
                   sinning
                   Angels
                
                 renders
                 deep
                 ,
                 admirable
                 and
                 mysterious
                 .
                 Men
                 who
                 have
                 common
                 and
                 slight
                 
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Judgement
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 of
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 that
                 feed
                 upon
                 the
                 ashes
                 of
                 rumors
                 ,
                 reports
                 ,
                 hearsayes
                 ,
                 traditions
                 ,
                 without
                 looking
                 into
                 the
                 reality
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 may
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 take
                 this
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 
                   ordinary
                   and
                   acknowledged
                   truth
                
                 ,
                 easie
                 to
                 be
                 entertained
                 ,
                 which
                 upon
                 the
                 matter
                 no
                 man
                 disbelieves
                 .
                 But
                 
                   convinced
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 who
                 make
                 a
                 tryal
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 running
                 into
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 have
                 other
                 thoughts
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 pretended
                 every
                 one
                 believes
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 great
                 cause
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   who
                   hath
                   believed
                   our
                   report
                   ,
                   to
                   whom
                   hath
                   this
                   arm
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   been
                   revealed
                   ?
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 difficulty
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 
                   precious
                   and
                   excellent
                
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 undeceiving
                 Expectation
                 of
                 our
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 hereafter
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 pure
                 
                   Gospel
                   truth
                
                 that
                 hath
                 neither
                 shaddow
                 ,
                 footstep
                 ,
                 nor
                 intimation
                 elsewhere
                 ;
                 the
                 whole
                 creation
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 obscure
                 impression
                 of
                 it
                 left
                 thereon
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 undoubtedly
                 greatly
                 incumbent
                 on
                 us
                 to
                 
                   enquire
                   diligently
                
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Prophets
                   did
                   of
                   old
                
                 into
                 this
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 to
                 consider
                 what
                 sure
                 Evidences
                 faith
                 hath
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 cannot
                 fail
                 us
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 slight
                 and
                 common
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 up
                 at
                 random
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 Argument
                 of
                 an
                 unsound
                 rotten
                 heart
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 serious
                 in
                 his
                 enquiry
                 into
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 is
                 serious
                 in
                 nothing
                 wherein
                 God
                 or
                 his
                 soul
                 is
                 concerned
                 .
                 The
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 knows
                 what
                 our
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 slow
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 receive
                 this
                 blessed
                 truth
                 in
                 a
                 gracious
                 saving
                 manner
                 .
                 Therefore
                 doth
                 he
                 confirm
                 it
                 unto
                 us
                 with
                 such
                 weighty
                 considerations
                 ,
                 as
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   God
                   willing
                   more
                   abundantly
                   to
                   shew
                   unto
                   the
                   heirs
                   of
                   promise
                   the
                   immutability
                   of
                   his
                   counsell
                   ,
                   confirmed
                   it
                   by
                   an
                   oath
                   ;
                   that
                   by
                   two
                   immutable
                   things
                   in
                   which
                   it
                   was
                   impossible
                   for
                   God
                   to
                   lye
                   ,
                   we
                   might
                   have
                   strong
                   consolation
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 that
                 the
                 Apostle
                 treats
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 made
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 description
                 of
                 it
                 before
                 given
                 .
                 Now
                 to
                 give
                 evidence
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 beget
                 a
                 belief
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 first
                 engages
                 a
                 Property
                 of
                 Gods
                 Nature
                 in
                 that
                 business
                 .
                 He
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 deal
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 —
                 as
                 Tit.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 God
                 that
                 cannot
                 lye
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 deceive
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 
                 deceived
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 impossible
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Now
                 as
                 this
                 extends
                 it self
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Words
                 and
                 Works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 peculiarly
                 in
                 this
                 whereof
                 he
                 treats
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 an
                 especial
                 
                   immutability
                   of
                   his
                   counsel
                
                 .
                 Men
                 may
                 think
                 that
                 although
                 there
                 be
                 words
                 spoken
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 possible
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 no
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 spoken
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 
                   impossible
                   he
                   should
                   lye
                
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 the
                 manifold
                 provocations
                 of
                 sinners
                 he
                 may
                 change
                 his
                 mind
                 and
                 thoughts
                 therein
                 ;
                 no
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   peculiar
                   immutability
                   in
                   his
                   counsel
                
                 concerning
                 the
                 execution
                 of
                 this
                 thing
                 ,
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 change
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 doth
                 this
                 appear
                 that
                 indeed
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 his
                 will
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ?
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 given
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 promise
                 ;
                 which
                 as
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 it
                 is
                 suited
                 to
                 raise
                 an
                 expectation
                 in
                 him
                 or
                 them
                 to
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 made
                 or
                 given
                 ;
                 so
                 it
                 requires
                 exact
                 faithfulness
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 and
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 on
                 his
                 part
                 will
                 assuredly
                 answer
                 .
                 But
                 neither
                 is
                 this
                 all
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 no
                 place
                 might
                 be
                 left
                 for
                 any
                 cavilling
                 Objection
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   interposed
                   himself
                   by
                   an
                   oath
                
                 ;
                 Thus
                 we
                 have
                 this
                 Truth
                 deduced
                 from
                 the
                 veracity
                 of
                 Gods
                 nature
                 ,
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Essential
                   Excellencies
                   ,
                   established
                
                 in
                 the
                 immutable
                 purpose
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 
                   brought
                   forth
                
                 by
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 promise
                 ,
                 and
                 confirmed
                 by
                 Gods
                 interposing
                 himself
                 against
                 all
                 occasions
                 of
                 exception
                 ,
                 (
                 so
                 to
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 unto
                 all
                 strife
                 about
                 it
                 )
                 by
                 an
                 Oath
                 ,
                 swearing
                 by
                 himself
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 mentioned
                 this
                 only
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 weight
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 layes
                 upon
                 the
                 delivery
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 how
                 deeply
                 it
                 concerns
                 us
                 to
                 enquire
                 diligently
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 grounds
                 and
                 evidences
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 tendred
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 among
                 others
                 are
                 these
                 that
                 follow
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   in
                   the
                   first
                   Promise
                   .
                   The
                   Evidence
                   of
                   the
                   Truth
                   that
                   lyes
                   therein
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   the
                   Institution
                   of
                   Sacrifices
                   .
                   Their
                   Use
                   and
                   End.
                   Also
                   by
                   the
                   prescription
                   of
                   Repentance
                   unto
                   sinners
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 The
                 first
                 Discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 which
                 I
                 place
                 as
                 the
                 first
                 Evidence
                 of
                 it
                 )
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 his
                 first
                 dealing
                 with
                 our
                 Parents
                 after
                 their
                 shameful
                 sin
                 and
                 fall
                 .
                 Now
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 an
                 evidence
                 that
                 carryes
                 along
                 a
                 great
                 conviction
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 such
                 as
                 faith
                 may
                 securely
                 rest
                 upon
                 and
                 close
                 withall
                 ,
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Observations
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   first
                   sin
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   was
                   on
                   many
                   accounts
                   the
                   greatest
                   sin
                   that
                   ever
                   was
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   .
                
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 sin
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 of
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 ,
                 wherein
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 conspiracy
                 of
                 all
                 Individuals
                 ;
                 
                   omnes
                   eramus
                   unus
                   ille
                   homo
                
                 ;
                 in
                 that
                 one
                 man
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 one
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   all
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 12.
                 
                 It
                 left
                 not
                 God
                 
                   one
                   subject
                
                 as
                 to
                 
                   moral
                   obedicnce
                
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 least
                 ground
                 for
                 any
                 such
                 to
                 be
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Angels
                 sinned
                 the
                 whole
                 race
                 or
                 kind
                 did
                 not
                 prevaricate
                 .
                 
                   Thousand
                   thousands
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   ten
                   thousand
                   times
                   ten
                   thousands
                
                 continued
                 in
                 their
                 obedience
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 7.
                 10.
                 
                 But
                 here
                 ,
                 all
                 and
                 every
                 individual
                 of
                 mankind
                 (
                 he
                 only
                 excepted
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 then
                 in
                 Adam
                 )
                 were
                 imbarked
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 crime
                 and
                 guilt
                 .
                 Besides
                 it
                 disturbed
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 and
                 over
                 the
                 whole
                 Creation
                 .
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 number
                 ,
                 weight
                 ,
                 and
                 measure
                 ,
                 in
                 order
                 and
                 beauty
                 :
                 pronouncing
                 himself
                 concerning
                 his
                 whole
                 work
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 exceeding
                 
                   beautiful
                   and
                   good
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 1.
                 31.
                 
                 Much
                 of
                 this
                 beauty
                 lay
                 in
                 the
                 subordination
                 of
                 one
                 thing
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 himself
                 by
                 the
                 mediation
                 and
                 interposition
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 through
                 whose
                 
                   Prayses
                   and
                   Obedience
                
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 Creation
                 being
                 made
                 subject
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 return
                 their
                 tribute
                 of
                 Honor
                 and
                 Glory
                 unto
                 God.
                 But
                 all
                 this
                 Order
                 was
                 destroyed
                 by
                 this
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 
                   creation
                   made
                   subject
                   to
                   vanity
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 20.
                 
                 On
                 which
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 accounts
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 easily
                 made
                 to
                 appear
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 greatest
                 sin
                 that
                 ever
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Man
                   who
                   had
                   sinned
                   subscribed
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                   and
                   consctence
                   unto
                   the
                   righteous
                   sentence
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 He
                 knew
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 deserved
                 ,
                 and
                 looked
                 for
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 immediate
                 Execution
                 of
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 Hence
                 he
                 meditates
                 not
                 a
                 defence
                 ,
                 expects
                 no
                 pardon
                 ,
                 stayes
                 not
                 for
                 a
                 tryal
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   flyes
                   and
                   hides
                
                 ,
                 and
                 attempts
                 an
                 escape
                 .
                 Gen.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   I
                   was
                   afraid
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   hid
                   my self
                
                 ;
                 than
                 which
                 never
                 were
                 there
                 words
                 of
                 greater
                 horror
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 nor
                 shall
                 be
                 until
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 .
                 Poor
                 Creature
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 full
                 of
                 expectation
                 of
                 the
                 vengeance
                 due
                 for
                 a
                 broken
                 Covenant
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   God
                   had
                   newly
                   declared
                   in
                   the
                   sinning
                   Angels
                   what
                   his
                   Justice
                   required
                   ,
                   and
                   how
                   he
                   could
                   deal
                   with
                   sinning
                   man
                   without
                   the
                   least
                   impeachment
                   of
                   his
                   Government
                   ,
                   Holiness
                   or
                   Goodness
                   .
                
                 See
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   There
                   was
                   nothing
                   without
                   God
                   himself
                   that
                   should
                   move
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   least
                   ,
                   so
                   much
                   as
                   to
                   suspend
                   the
                   execution
                   of
                   his
                   wrath
                   for
                   one
                   moment
                
                 ;
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 done
                 so
                 with
                 the
                 Angels
                 .
                 All
                 things
                 lay
                 now
                 under
                 wrath
                 ,
                 curse
                 ,
                 confusion
                 ,
                 and
                 disorder
                 :
                 nothing
                 was
                 left
                 good
                 ,
                 lovely
                 ,
                 or
                 desirable
                 in
                 his
                 eye
                 .
                 As
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Creation
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 first
                 brought
                 forth
                 from
                 nothing
                 was
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   without
                   form
                   and
                   void
                
                 ,
                 empty
                 of
                 all
                 order
                 and
                 beauty
                 ;
                 nothing
                 was
                 in
                 it
                 to
                 induce
                 or
                 move
                 God
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 glory
                 that
                 ensued
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 whole
                 design
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 proceeded
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 infinite
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 ;
                 so
                 was
                 it
                 now
                 again
                 .
                 There
                 was
                 an
                 Emptiness
                 and
                 Vanity
                 brought
                 by
                 sin
                 upon
                 the
                 whole
                 creation
                 .
                 Nothing
                 remained
                 that
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 motive
                 unto
                 a
                 merciful
                 Restoration
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 is
                 again
                 devolved
                 on
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 .
                 All
                 things
                 being
                 in
                 this
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 wherein
                 all
                 doors
                 stood
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 Gods
                 Justice
                 in
                 the
                 
                   punishing
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 nothing
                 remaining
                 
                   without
                   him
                
                 to
                 hold
                 his
                 hand
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 ;
                 the
                 whole
                 creation
                 ,
                 and
                 especially
                 the
                 sinner
                 himself
                 lying
                 trembling
                 in
                 Expectation
                 of
                 a
                 dreadful
                 doom
                 ,
                 what
                 now
                 cometh
                 forth
                 from
                 him
                 ?
                 the
                 blessed
                 word
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   The
                   seed
                   of
                   the
                   Woman
                   shall
                   break
                   the
                   Serpents
                   head
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 full
                 well
                 known
                 that
                 the
                 whole
                 mysterie
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 wrapt
                 up
                 in
                 this
                 one
                 word
                 of
                 promise
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 great
                 way
                 of
                 its
                 coming
                 forth
                 from
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 whose
                 
                 heel
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 bruised
                 ,
                 is
                 also
                 intimated
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 first
                 discovery
                 that
                 ever
                 was
                 made
                 of
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God.
                
                 By
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 
                   pure
                   Revelation
                
                 it
                 was
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 faith
                 must
                 take
                 it
                 up
                 and
                 receive
                 it
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 Revelation
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 one
                 Promise
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 Worship
                 that
                 was
                 yielded
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 sinners
                 for
                 many
                 Ages
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 without
                 this
                 ,
                 no
                 sinner
                 can
                 have
                 the
                 least
                 encouragement
                 to
                 approach
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 continue
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 notable
                 evidence
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 hand
                 a
                 firm
                 foundation
                 for
                 faith
                 to
                 rest
                 and
                 build
                 upon
                 .
                 Let
                 a
                 sinner
                 seriously
                 consider
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 things
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 laid
                 down
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 view
                 God
                 coming
                 forth
                 with
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 meerly
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 
                   counsells
                   of
                   peace
                
                 that
                 were
                 between
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 cannot
                 but
                 conclude
                 under
                 his
                 greatest
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 that
                 yet
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 feared
                 .
                 Let
                 now
                 the
                 Law
                 and
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 let
                 Sin
                 and
                 Satan
                 stand
                 forth
                 and
                 except
                 against
                 this
                 Evidence
                 ;
                 enough
                 may
                 be
                 spoken
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 whatever
                 the
                 particular
                 case
                 be
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 the
                 soul
                 hath
                 a
                 contest
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 all
                 to
                 silence
                 .
              
               
                 
                 II.
                 
                   God
                   revealed
                   this
                   Sacred
                   Truth
                   by
                   his
                   Institution
                   of
                   Sacrifices
                   .
                
                 Sacrifices
                 by
                 blood
                 ,
                 do
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 respect
                 Attonement
                 ,
                 Expiation
                 ,
                 and
                 consequentially
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 indeed
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 themselves
                 take
                 away
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   nor
                   make
                   them
                   perfect
                   who
                   came
                   unto
                   God
                   by
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 1.
                 but
                 yet
                 they
                 undeniably
                 evince
                 the
                 taking
                 away
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 what
                 they
                 did
                 denote
                 and
                 typisie
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 look
                 a
                 little
                 back
                 into
                 their
                 Rise
                 and
                 Intendment
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Original
                 and
                 first
                 spring
                 of
                 Sacrifices
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 expresly
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 only
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 is
                 recorded
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 certain
                 from
                 infallible
                 Scripture
                 Evidences
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 of
                 Gods
                 immediate
                 Institution
                 and
                 Appointment
                 .
                 God
                 never
                 allowed
                 that
                 the
                 Will
                 or
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 spring
                 and
                 Rule
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 .
                 That
                 solemn
                 word
                 where
                 with
                 he
                 Fronts
                 the
                 command
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 Rule
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   make
                   to
                   thy self
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 command
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 which
                 follows
                 being
                 an
                 explanation
                 
                 and
                 confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 it self
                 by
                 Instances
                 )
                 cuts
                 off
                 all
                 such
                 pretences
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 
                   flaming
                   sword
                
                 turning
                 every
                 way
                 to
                 prevent
                 mens
                 arbitrary
                 approaches
                 to
                 Gods
                 Institutions
                 .
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 part
                 with
                 his
                 glory
                 of
                 being
                 the
                 only
                 Law-giver
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 concernment
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 unto
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Neither
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 their
                 Institution
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Some
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Papists
                   dispute
                
                 (
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 a
                 generation
                 of
                 
                   philosophi●●●
                   disputers
                
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 their
                 tottering
                 cause
                 is
                 supported
                 )
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 Sacrisices
                 in
                 Paradice
                 ,
                 if
                 man
                 had
                 not
                 sinned
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 opinions
                 ,
                 our
                 first
                 enquiry
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 they
                 
                   get
                   by
                   this
                   or
                   that
                
                 ,
                 their
                 whole
                 Religion
                 being
                 pointed
                 unto
                 their
                 carnal
                 interest
                 ;
                 so
                 we
                 may
                 in
                 particular
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 upon
                 this
                 
                   uncouth
                   Assertion
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 perfectly
                 contradictious
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 Nature
                 and
                 End
                 of
                 most
                 Sacrifices
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 offered
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 .
                 Why
                 ,
                 they
                 hope
                 to
                 establish
                 hence
                 a
                 
                   general
                   rule
                
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 
                   can
                   be
                   no
                   true
                   Worship
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   any
                   state
                   or
                   condition
                   without
                   a
                   Sacrifice
                   .
                
                 What
                 then
                 I
                 pray
                 ?
                 Why
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 the
                 
                   continual
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   the
                   Mass
                   is
                   necessary
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 it
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   true
                   Worship
                
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 quickly
                 come
                 home
                 to
                 their
                 advantage
                 and
                 profit
                 ;
                 the
                 Mass
                 being
                 that
                 inexhaustible
                 Spring
                 of
                 Revenue
                 which
                 feeds
                 their
                 pride
                 and
                 lust
                 throughout
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 But
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Christ
                 an
                 Altar
                 still
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 still
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 rejected
                 for
                 the
                 a
                 bominable
                 figment
                 of
                 
                   their
                   Mass
                
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   Christ
                   himself
                
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 10.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 of
                 Beasts
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 before
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 evidenced
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 instituted
                 
                   from
                   the
                   foundation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 presently
                 after
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Christ
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Lamb
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 29.
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 as
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 whence
                 he
                 is
                 represented
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   Lamb
                   slain
                   ,
                   Rev.
                
                 5.
                 6.
                 or
                 giving
                 out
                 the
                 efficacy
                 of
                 all
                 Sacrifices
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 .
                 Now
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   a
                   Lamb
                   slain
                   from
                   the
                   foundation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 13.
                 8.
                 which
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 ,
                 unless
                 some
                 Sacrifice
                 prefiguring
                 his
                 being
                 slain
                 had
                 been
                 then
                 offered
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 denotes
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 efficacy
                 of
                 his
                 Mediation
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 Besides
                 
                 the
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   without
                   shedding
                   of
                   blood
                   there
                   was
                   no
                   remission
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 22.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 God
                 to
                 demonstrate
                 that
                 all
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 related
                 to
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 from
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 gave
                 out
                 no
                 word
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 and
                 with
                 blood
                 .
                 Now
                 I
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 revealed
                 pardon
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 promise
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 there
                 ensued
                 thereon
                 the
                 
                   shedding
                   of
                   blood
                
                 and
                 Sacrifices
                 ;
                 and
                 thereby
                 that
                 Testament
                 or
                 Covenant
                 was
                 
                   dedicated
                   with
                   blood
                
                 also
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 18.
                 
                 Some
                 think
                 that
                 the
                 Beasts
                 ,
                 of
                 whose
                 skins
                 God
                 made
                 garments
                 for
                 Adam
                 ,
                 were
                 offered
                 in
                 Sacrifices
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 their
                 conjecture
                 vain
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 not
                 to
                 want
                 a
                 shaddow
                 of
                 a
                 
                   Gospel
                   Mysterie
                
                 ;
                 that
                 their
                 nakedness
                 which
                 became
                 their
                 shame
                 upon
                 their
                 sin
                 ,
                 (
                 whence
                 the
                 pollution
                 and
                 shame
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 frequently
                 so
                 termed
                 )
                 should
                 be
                 covered
                 with
                 the
                 skins
                 of
                 their
                 Sacrifices
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 somewhat
                 answerable
                 thereunto
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 him
                 whose
                 Sacrifice
                 takes
                 away
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 our
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 our
                 cloathing
                 ,
                 that
                 hides
                 our
                 pollution
                 and
                 shame
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 after
                 the
                 giving
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 the
                 greatest
                 ,
                 most
                 noble
                 ,
                 and
                 solemn
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 consisted
                 in
                 Sacrifices
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 kind
                 of
                 Worship
                 continued
                 with
                 the
                 approbation
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 about
                 
                   four
                   thousand
                   years
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 until
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 the
                 true
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 which
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 unto
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 typical
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 things
                 being
                 premised
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 aim
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 this
                 Worship
                 .
                 One
                 instance
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 solemn
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 kind
                 ,
                 will
                 resolve
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 enquiry
                 ,
                 Lev.
                 16.
                 5.
                 
                 Two
                 Kids
                 of
                 the
                 Goats
                 are
                 taken
                 for
                 an
                 offering
                 for
                 sin
                 .
                 Consider
                 only
                 (
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 enlarge
                 on
                 particulars
                 )
                 how
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 was
                 dealt
                 withal
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   bring
                   the
                   live
                   Goat
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Aaron
                 
                   shall
                   lay
                   both
                   his
                   hands
                   on
                   the
                   head
                   of
                   the
                   live
                   Goat
                   ,
                   and
                   confess
                   over
                   him
                   all
                   the
                   iniquities
                   of
                   the
                   children
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   all
                   their
                   transgression
                   in
                   all
                   their
                   sins
                   ,
                   putting
                   them
                   upon
                   the
                   head
                   of
                   the
                   Goat
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   send
                   him
                   away
                   by
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   a
                   fit
                   man
                   into
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Goat
                   shall
                   bear
                   upon
                   him
                   all
                   their
                   iniquities
                   unto
                   a
                   Land
                   not
                   inhabited
                   .
                
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 see
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 is
                 all
                 this
                 Solemnity
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 declared
                 
                 thereby
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 should
                 God
                 appoint
                 poor
                 
                   sinful
                   men
                
                 to
                 come
                 together
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 a
                 Goat
                 or
                 Lamb
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 confess
                 over
                 his
                 head
                 all
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 transgressions
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 devote
                 him
                 to
                 destruction
                 under
                 that
                 confession
                 ?
                 Had
                 men
                 invented
                 this
                 themselves
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 no
                 moment
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 was
                 an
                 Institution
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 he
                 bound
                 his
                 Church
                 to
                 the
                 observation
                 of
                 upon
                 the
                 penalty
                 of
                 his
                 highest
                 displeasure
                 .
                 Certainly
                 this
                 was
                 a
                 solemn
                 declaration
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Would
                 that
                 God
                 who
                 is
                 infinitely
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 infinitely
                 True
                 ,
                 holy
                 and
                 faithful
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 
                   cannot
                   deceive
                
                 ,
                 call
                 men
                 out
                 whom
                 he
                 loved
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 solemn
                 Representation
                 of
                 a
                 thing
                 wherein
                 their
                 chiefest
                 ,
                 their
                 eternal
                 concernment
                 did
                 lye
                 ,
                 and
                 suffer
                 them
                 to
                 feed
                 upon
                 Ashes
                 ?
                 Let
                 men
                 take
                 heed
                 that
                 they
                 
                   mock
                   not
                   God
                
                 ;
                 for
                 of
                 a
                 Truth
                 God
                 mocketh
                 not
                 man
                 ,
                 until
                 he
                 be
                 finally
                 rejected
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 four
                 thousand
                 years
                 together
                 then
                 ,
                 did
                 God
                 declare
                 by
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 lead
                 his
                 people
                 by
                 them
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 publick
                 Representation
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 second
                 uncontrolable
                 Evidence
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 asserted
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 possibly
                 be
                 of
                 use
                 to
                 souls
                 that
                 come
                 indeed
                 deeply
                 and
                 seriously
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 though
                 the
                 Practice
                 be
                 ceased
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 Instruction
                 intended
                 in
                 thern
                 continues
                 .
              
               
                 
                 III.
                 
                   Gods
                   appointment
                   of
                   Repentance
                   unto
                   sinners
                   ,
                   doth
                   reveal
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   himself
                   .
                
                 I
                 say
                 the
                 prescription
                 of
                 Repentance
                 is
                 a
                 Revelation
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 After
                 the
                 Angels
                 had
                 sinned
                 ,
                 God
                 never
                 once
                 called
                 them
                 to
                 Repentance
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 not
                 deceive
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 let
                 them
                 know
                 what
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 ;
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 would
                 require
                 no
                 Repentance
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 ever
                 was
                 a
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 them
                 to
                 repent
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 unto
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 Hell
                 God
                 requires
                 it
                 not
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 is
                 it
                 their
                 duty
                 .
                 There
                 being
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 should
                 move
                 them
                 to
                 repent
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 it
                 be
                 their
                 duty
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ?
                 Their
                 eternal
                 anguish
                 about
                 sin
                 committed
                 ,
                 hath
                 nothing
                 of
                 Repentance
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 Assignation
                 then
                 of
                 Repentance
                 is
                 a
                 Revelation
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 call
                 upon
                 a
                 sinful
                 
                 creature
                 to
                 humble
                 it self
                 and
                 bewail
                 its
                 sin
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 way
                 of
                 recovery
                 ,
                 or
                 relief
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 of
                 recovery
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 pardon
                 ,
                 so
                 Job
                 33.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 
                   He
                   looketh
                   on
                   men
                   ,
                   and
                   if
                   any
                   say
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   ,
                   and
                   perverted
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   right
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   profited
                   me
                   not
                   ;
                   he
                   will
                   deliver
                   his
                   soul
                   from
                   going
                   into
                   the
                   pit
                   ,
                
                 and
                 his
                 life
                 
                   shall
                   see
                   the
                   light
                
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 foregoing
                 Verses
                 he
                 declares
                 the
                 various
                 wayes
                 that
                 God
                 used
                 to
                 bring
                 men
                 unto
                 Repentance
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 it
                 by
                 dreams
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 by
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 19.
                 by
                 the
                 
                   preaching
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 23.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 doth
                 God
                 aim
                 at
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 all
                 these
                 
                   various
                   wayes
                
                 of
                 teachings
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 cause
                 man
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   ,
                   and
                   perverted
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   right
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 bring
                 him
                 to
                 Repentance
                 :
                 What
                 now
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 obtaine
                 his
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 man
                 cometh
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 aimed
                 at
                 ?
                 Why
                 then
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 declared
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 28.
                 
                 To
                 improve
                 this
                 evidence
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 confirm
                 by
                 some
                 few
                 obvious
                 considerations
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     That
                     the
                     prescription
                     of
                     Repentance
                     doth
                     indeed
                     evince
                     that
                     there
                     is
                     forgiveness
                     with
                     God.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     That
                     every
                     one
                     in
                     whom
                     there
                     is
                     Repentance
                     wrought
                     towards
                     God
                     ,
                     may
                     certainly
                     conclude
                     that
                     there
                     is
                     forgiveness
                     with
                     God
                     for
                     him
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   No
                   Repentance
                   is
                   acceptable
                   with
                   God
                   but
                   what
                   is
                   built
                   ,
                   or
                   leans
                   on
                   the
                   faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
                 We
                 have
                 a
                 cloud
                 of
                 witnesses
                 unto
                 this
                 Truth
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 .
                 Many
                 there
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 many
                 are
                 recorded
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 perplexed
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 sorry
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 made
                 open
                 confession
                 and
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 under
                 the
                 pr●ssing
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 have
                 cryed
                 out
                 even
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 have
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 mercy
                 pardon
                 and
                 acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 The
                 cases
                 of
                 
                   Cain
                   ,
                   Pharaoh
                   ,
                   Saul
                   ,
                   Ahab
                   ,
                   Judas
                   ,
                
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 What
                 was
                 wanting
                 that
                 made
                 all
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 abominable
                 ?
                 Consider
                 one
                 instance
                 for
                 all
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Judas
                 that
                 
                   he
                   repented
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 27.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   repented
                   himself
                
                 ;
                 but
                 wherein
                 did
                 this
                 repentance
                 consist
                 ?
                 he
                 was
                 convinced
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 in
                 general
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 particular
                 sin
                 whereof
                 he
                 stood
                 charged
                 in
                 conscience
                 before
                 God.
                 I
                 have
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   betrayed
                   innocent
                   blood
                
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 guilty
                 of
                 blood
                 ,
                 innocent
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 vilest
                 manner
                 ,
                 by
                 treachery
                 ;
                 
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 comes
                 (
                 3.
                 )
                 To
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 open
                 confession
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 :
                 (
                 4.
                 )
                 He
                 makes
                 Restitution
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 advantaged
                 by
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   brought
                   again
                   the
                   thirty
                   pieces
                   of
                   silver
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 3.
                 all
                 testifying
                 an
                 hearty
                 sorrow
                 that
                 spirited
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 Methinks
                 now
                 Judas
                 his
                 Repentance
                 looks
                 like
                 the
                 young
                 mans
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 who
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 have
                 I
                 done
                 ;
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 thing
                 yet
                 lacking
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 one
                 thing
                 was
                 wanting
                 to
                 that
                 
                   young
                   man
                
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 
                   true
                   faith
                
                 nor
                 love
                 to
                 God
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 ,
                 which
                 vitiated
                 and
                 spoyled
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 performances
                 .
                 One
                 thing
                 also
                 is
                 wanting
                 to
                 this
                 
                   Repentance
                   of
                   Judas
                
                 ;
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 believe
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 sorrow
                 instead
                 of
                 coming
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 bids
                 him
                 the
                 utmost
                 defiance
                 ,
                 and
                 goes
                 away
                 
                   and
                   hangs
                   himself
                
                 .
              
               
                 Indeed
                 saith
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ,
                 hath
                 many
                 degrees
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 indispensibly
                 necessary
                 to
                 render
                 Repentance
                 acceptable
                 .
                 What
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 dispute
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 an
                 Assurance
                 of
                 the
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 our
                 persons
                 in
                 general
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 
                   particular
                   sin
                
                 wherewith
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 perplexed
                 ,
                 is
                 forgiven
                 .
                 A
                 general
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 be
                 a
                 
                   Gospel
                   discovery
                
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 will
                 suffice
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 expresseth
                 it
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 14.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   In
                   thee
                   the
                   fatherless
                   findeth
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Joel
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   knows
                   but
                   he
                   will
                   return
                   and
                   repent
                   .
                
                 I
                 have
                 this
                 ground
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 himself
                 gracious
                 and
                 merciful
                 ;
                 the
                 fatherless
                 ,
                 the
                 destitute
                 and
                 helpless
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 find
                 mercy
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 None
                 in
                 Heaven
                 and
                 earth
                 can
                 evince
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 
                   may
                   return
                
                 to
                 me
                 also
                 .
                 Now
                 let
                 a
                 mans
                 convictions
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 sharp
                 ,
                 wounding
                 ,
                 his
                 sorrow
                 never
                 so
                 abundant
                 ,
                 overflowing
                 ,
                 abiding
                 ,
                 his
                 confession
                 never
                 so
                 full
                 ,
                 free
                 or
                 open
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 one
                 thing
                 be
                 wanting
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 tends
                 to
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 prescribe
                 Repentance
                 as
                 a
                 duty
                 unto
                 sinners
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 foundation
                 of
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 himself
                 ;
                 is
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 glorious
                 Excellencies
                 and
                 Perfections
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 for
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Apostle
                 layes
                 this
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 consolation
                 ;
                 that
                 God
                 
                   cannot
                   lye
                   or
                   deceive
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 he
                 engageth
                 the
                 faithfulness
                 and
                 veracity
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 
                 purpose
                 .
                 Tit.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   God
                   who
                   cannot
                   lye
                   hath
                   promised
                   it
                   .
                
                 Now
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 lye
                 ,
                 a
                 deceit
                 in
                 Things
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 Words
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 doth
                 a
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 deceive
                 them
                 that
                 consider
                 it
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 intention
                 of
                 deceiving
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 a
                 lyar
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 which
                 affirms
                 that
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 knows
                 to
                 be
                 false
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 
                   lye
                   in
                   Actions
                
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 Words
                 .
                 The
                 whole
                 life
                 of
                 an
                 hyocrite
                 is
                 a
                 lye
                 ;
                 so
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 of
                 Idolaters
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   lye
                   in
                   their
                   right
                   hand
                
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 44.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 proposal
                 of
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 fitted
                 and
                 suited
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 ,
                 to
                 beget
                 thoughts
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Repenting
                 is
                 for
                 sinners
                 only
                 .
                 
                   I
                   came
                   not
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   call
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                   but
                   sinners
                   to
                   repentance
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 them
                 only
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 no
                 duty
                 for
                 Adam
                 in
                 Eden
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 none
                 for
                 the
                 Angels
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 nor
                 for
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 Hell.
                 What
                 then
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 this
                 appointment
                 ?
                 O
                 sinners
                 ,
                 come
                 and
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 by
                 Repentance
                 :
                 Doth
                 it
                 not
                 openly
                 speak
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 otherwise
                 could
                 men
                 possibly
                 be
                 more
                 frustrated
                 or
                 deceived
                 ?
                 would
                 not
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 Repentance
                 be
                 a
                 lye
                 ?
                 Such
                 a
                 delusion
                 may
                 proceed
                 from
                 Satan
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 from
                 him
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Truth
                 .
                 His
                 Call
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 full
                 Demonstration
                 of
                 his
                 readiness
                 to
                 forgive
                 ,
                 Acts
                 17.
                 30
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 many
                 do
                 thus
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 .
                 They
                 raise
                 themselves
                 unto
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 immunity
                 ,
                 not
                 on
                 Gospel
                 grounds
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 disappointment
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 punishment
                 .
                 But
                 God
                 deceives
                 none
                 :
                 whoever
                 comes
                 to
                 him
                 on
                 his
                 proposal
                 of
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 shall
                 find
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 some
                 indeed
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   will
                   laugh
                   at
                   their
                   calamity
                   ,
                   and
                   mock
                   when
                   their
                   fear
                   cometh
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 26.
                 
                 He
                 will
                 aggravate
                 their
                 misery
                 ,
                 by
                 giving
                 them
                 to
                 see
                 what
                 their
                 pride
                 and
                 folly
                 hath
                 brought
                 them
                 unto
                 .
                 But
                 who
                 are
                 they
                 ?
                 only
                 such
                 as
                 refuse
                 his
                 
                   Call
                   to
                   Repentance
                
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 Acceptation
                 annexed
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 then
                 no
                 cause
                 ,
                 why
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 under
                 a
                 Call
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 should
                 question
                 whether
                 there
                 be
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 or
                 no.
                 This
                 concerns
                 my
                 second
                 Proposition
                 .
                 Come
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   unto
                   the
                   souls
                   of
                   men
                   ;
                   leave
                   your
                   sinful
                   wayes
                   ,
                   turn
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   humble
                   your selves
                   with
                   broken
                   and
                   contrite
                   hearts
                
                 :
                 Alas
                 ,
                 
                 say
                 poor
                 convinced
                 sinners
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 poor
                 ,
                 dark
                 and
                 ignorant
                 creatures
                 ;
                 or
                 we
                 are
                 old
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 great
                 sinners
                 ,
                 or
                 backsliders
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 fallen
                 often
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 sins
                 ;
                 can
                 we
                 expect
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 us
                 ?
                 Why
                 you
                 are
                 under
                 Gods
                 Invitation
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 disbelieve
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 of
                 God
                 into
                 question
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 pretend
                 what
                 you
                 please
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 truth
                 because
                 you
                 hate
                 Repentance
                 .
                 You
                 do
                 but
                 deceive
                 your
                 souls
                 when
                 you
                 pretend
                 you
                 come
                 not
                 up
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 cannot
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Institution
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 God
                 engageth
                 all
                 his
                 Properties
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 good
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 pardon
                 and
                 mercy
                 for
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Much
                 less
                 cause
                 is
                 there
                 to
                 doubt
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 where
                 
                   sincere
                   Repentance
                
                 is
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 wrought
                 .
                 No
                 soul
                 comes
                 to
                 Repentance
                 but
                 upon
                 Gods
                 call
                 .
                 God
                 calls
                 none
                 but
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 mercy
                 for
                 upon
                 their
                 coming
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 those
                 who
                 sin
                 against
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 shut
                 themselves
                 out
                 from
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 called
                 to
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 God
                 expresly
                 declares
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 his
                 prescribing
                 repentance
                 unto
                 man.
                 One
                 instance
                 may
                 suffice
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   wicked
                   forsake
                   his
                   way
                
                 (
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 a
                 perverse
                 wicked
                 one
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 )
                 
                   and
                   the
                   man
                   of
                   iniquity
                   his
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   he
                   will
                   multiply
                   to
                   pardon
                
                 .
                 You
                 see
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 speaks
                 ;
                 to
                 men
                 
                   perversely
                   wicked
                
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 
                   make
                   a
                   trade
                   of
                   sinning
                
                 .
                 What
                 doth
                 he
                 call
                 them
                 unto
                 ?
                 plainly
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 duty
                 we
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 invitation
                 ,
                 unto
                 such
                 profligate
                 sinners
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   abundant
                   forgiveness
                
                 and
                 pardon
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 super-abounding
                 unto
                 what
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 can
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 :
                 as
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 another
                 way
                 whereby
                 God
                 hath
                 revealed
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 an
                 infallible
                 bottom
                 for
                 saith
                 to
                 build
                 upon
                 in
                 its
                 approaches
                 unto
                 God
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 Nor
                 can
                 the
                 certainty
                 of
                 this
                 Evidence
                 be
                 called
                 into
                 question
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 such
                 grounds
                 as
                 are
                 derogatory
                 to
                 the
                 Glory
                 and
                 Honour
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 this
                 connexion
                 of
                 Repentance
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 that
                 principle
                 
                 from
                 whence
                 God
                 convinces
                 a
                 stubborn
                 unbelieving
                 people
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 his
                 wayes
                 and
                 dealings
                 with
                 sinners
                 are
                 just
                 and
                 equal
                 ,
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 should
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 failure
                 in
                 it
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 Every
                 soul
                 then
                 that
                 is
                 under
                 a
                 call
                 to
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 whether
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 natural
                 condition
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 any
                 
                   back-sliding
                   into
                   folly
                
                 after
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 hath
                 a
                 sufficient
                 foundation
                 to
                 rest
                 on
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 pardon
                 he
                 enquires
                 after
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 on
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   mercy
                
                 ;
                 if
                 out
                 of
                 
                   love
                   to
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 he
                 refuse
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 him
                 on
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 his
                 condemnation
                 is
                 just
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 well
                 that
                 this
                 consideration
                 be
                 well
                 imprinted
                 on
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 
                   general
                   presumptions
                
                 that
                 men
                 seem
                 to
                 have
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 yet
                 these
                 principles
                 of
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 inculcated
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 Such
                 is
                 the
                 Atheism
                 that
                 lyes
                 lurking
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 men
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 pretences
                 ,
                 and
                 professions
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 pressing
                 upon
                 them
                 Evidences
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 Being
                 and
                 Essential
                 Properties
                 of
                 God.
                 In
                 
                   so
                   doing
                
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 
                   inbred
                   notions
                
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 minds
                 .
                 which
                 they
                 cannot
                 eject
                 ,
                 to
                 help
                 carry
                 on
                 the
                 work
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 is
                 this
                 necessary
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   free
                   Acts
                   of
                   the
                   Will
                
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 only
                 by
                 meer
                 Revelation
                 .
                 Our
                 Word
                 had
                 need
                 be
                 
                   line
                   upon
                   line
                
                 :
                 And
                 yet
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 have
                 cause
                 enough
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   who
                   hath
                   believed
                   our
                   report
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   whom
                   hath
                   this
                   arm
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   been
                   revealed
                   ?
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 was
                 spoken
                 before
                 of
                 the
                 obstacles
                 that
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 hindring
                 souls
                 from
                 a
                 saving
                 reception
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 remembred
                 .
                 Those
                 who
                 have
                 no
                 experience
                 of
                 them
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 nature
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 Law
                 ,
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Sin
                 and
                 Forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Many
                 who
                 are
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 
                   saving
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 having
                 not
                 received
                 it
                 upon
                 clear
                 and
                 unquestionable
                 grounds
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 not
                 knowing
                 how
                 to
                 resolve
                 their
                 faith
                 of
                 it
                 into
                 its
                 
                   proper
                   principles
                
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 answer
                 the
                 Objections
                 that
                 lye
                 against
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 do
                 miserably
                 fluctuate
                 
                 about
                 it
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 .
                 These
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 have
                 these
                 principles
                 inculcated
                 on
                 them
                 .
                 Were
                 they
                 pondred
                 aright
                 ,
                 some
                 might
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Samaritans
                 ,
                 who
                 first
                 gave
                 credit
                 to
                 the
                 report
                 of
                 the
                 
                   woman
                   ,
                   John
                
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 had
                 but
                 a
                 report
                 before
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 find
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 according
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 yea
                 to
                 exceed
                 it
                 .
                 A
                 little
                 experience
                 of
                 a
                 mans
                 own
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Observation
                 that
                 may
                 easily
                 be
                 made
                 of
                 the
                 uncertain
                 progresses
                 and
                 fluctuations
                 of
                 the
                 spirits
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 sufficient
                 conviction
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 we
                 are
                 engaged
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 it
                 will
                 yet
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 needless
                 to
                 multiply
                 Arguments
                 and
                 Evidences
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 .
                 The
                 Truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 being
                 granted
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 
                   fundamental
                   principles
                   of
                   Religion
                
                 .
                 As
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 then
                 by
                 
                   any
                   called
                   in
                   question
                
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 appear
                 that
                 so
                 much
                 time
                 and
                 pains
                 is
                 needful
                 for
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 is
                 granted
                 and
                 plain
                 ,
                 needs
                 little
                 confirmation
                 .
                 But
                 several
                 things
                 may
                 be
                 returned
                 in
                 Answer
                 hereunto
                 :
                 all
                 which
                 may
                 at
                 once
                 be
                 here
                 pleaded
                 for
                 the
                 multiplication
                 of
                 our
                 Arguments
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
              
               
                 
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 generally
                 
                   granted
                   by
                   all
                   ,
                   is
                   no
                   Argument
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   effectually
                   believed
                   by
                   many
                   .
                
                 Sundry
                 things
                 are
                 
                   taken
                   for
                   granted
                
                 in
                 point
                 of
                 opinion
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 believed
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 improved
                 in
                 practice
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 in
                 part
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 afterwards
                 undeniably
                 evince
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 
                   very
                   few
                
                 that
                 believe
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 faith
                 that
                 will
                 interest
                 them
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 them
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 will
                 it
                 avail
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 if
                 our
                 own
                 sins
                 be
                 not
                 forgiven
                 ?
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 that
                 such
                 or
                 such
                 a
                 King
                 is
                 rich
                 ,
                 whilst
                 we
                 are
                 poor
                 and
                 starving
                 .
                 My
                 aim
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 
                   as
                   an
                   opinion
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 meer
                 speculative
                 Truth
                 ;
                 but
                 so
                 to
                 evidence
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 its
                 Being
                 and
                 Revelation
                 ;
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 believed
                 ,
                 whereon
                 all
                 our
                 blessedness
                 depends
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   It
                   needs
                   never
                   the
                   less
                   confirmation
                   because
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   plain
                   fundamental
                   Truth
                
                 ;
                 but
                 rather
                 the
                 more
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 Worth
                 and
                 Weight
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   faithful
                   saying
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   worthy
                   of
                   all
                   acceptation
                   ,
                   that
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   came
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   to
                   save
                   sinners
                   .
                
                 So
                 say
                 I
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 which
                 for
                 the
                 substance
                 
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 that
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 
                   worthy
                   of
                   all
                   acceptation
                
                 ,
                 namely
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 ought
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 fully
                 confirmed
                 .
                 Especially
                 whilst
                 we
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 no
                 other
                 demonstrations
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 only
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 furnished
                 us
                 withal
                 to
                 that
                 purpose
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 knew
                 them
                 needful
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 plainness
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 
                   unto
                   us
                
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                
                 can
                 make
                 it
                 so
                 .
                 Men
                 may
                 please
                 themselves
                 and
                 others
                 sometimes
                 with
                 
                   curious
                   notions
                
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 things
                 of
                 great
                 search
                 and
                 attainment
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 examined
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 true
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 of
                 a
                 very
                 
                   little
                   consequence
                
                 or
                 importance
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 these
                 
                   fundamental
                   Truths
                
                 that
                 have
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 wrapped
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 which
                 who
                 so
                 can
                 unfold
                 aright
                 ,
                 will
                 shew
                 himself
                 a
                 
                   workman
                   that
                   needs
                   not
                   be
                   ashamed
                   .
                
                 These
                 
                   still
                   waters
                
                 are
                 deep
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 farther
                 we
                 dive
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 greater
                 discovery
                 shall
                 we
                 make
                 of
                 their
                 depths
                 .
                 And
                 many
                 other
                 
                   Sacred
                   Truths
                
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 whose
                 mention
                 is
                 common
                 ,
                 but
                 whose
                 depths
                 are
                 little
                 searched
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 efficacy
                 is
                 little
                 known
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 We
                 multiply
                 these
                 Evidences
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 multitudes
                 that
                 are
                 concerned
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 All
                 that
                 
                   do
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 
                   do
                   not
                   believe
                
                 are
                 so
                 .
                 Those
                 that
                 do
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 established
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 
                   do
                   not
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 encouraged
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Among
                 both
                 these
                 sorts
                 
                   some
                   evidences
                
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 profitable
                 and
                 useful
                 ,
                 one
                 to
                 one
                 ,
                 some
                 to
                 another
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 amongst
                 all
                 ,
                 all
                 will
                 be
                 gathered
                 up
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 fragments
                 be
                 lost
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 (
                 I
                 hope
                 )
                 instruments
                 provided
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 for
                 this
                 end
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 do
                 we
                 endeavour
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 into
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 effectual
                 as
                 he
                 will.
                 One
                 may
                 reach
                 
                   one
                   soul
                
                 ,
                 another
                 another
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 One
                 may
                 be
                 of
                 use
                 to
                 establishment
                 ,
                 another
                 to
                 consolation
                 ,
                 a
                 third
                 of
                 encouragement
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 the
                 necessities
                 of
                 poor
                 souls
                 do
                 require
                 .
                 However
                 God
                 who
                 hath
                 
                   provided
                   them
                
                 ,
                 knows
                 them
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 needful
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 so
                 also
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   various
                   conditions
                
                 wherein
                 the
                 Spirits
                 of
                 Believers
                 themselves
                 may
                 be
                 .
                 One
                 may
                 give
                 help
                 to
                 the
                 
                   same
                   soul
                
                 at
                 one
                 season
                 ,
                 another
                 at
                 another
                 ;
                 
                 one
                 may
                 secure
                 the
                 soul
                 against
                 a
                 temptation
                 ,
                 another
                 stir
                 it
                 up
                 to
                 Thankfulness
                 and
                 Obedience
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 things
                 have
                 I
                 spoken
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 not
                 think
                 we
                 dwell
                 too
                 long
                 on
                 this
                 consideration
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 pray
                 God
                 that
                 your
                 Consolation
                 and
                 Establishment
                 may
                 abound
                 in
                 the
                 reading
                 of
                 these
                 Meditations
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 hope
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 been
                 altogether
                 without
                 their
                 fruit
                 in
                 their
                 preparation
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Further
                   Evidences
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                   Testimonies
                   that
                   God
                   was
                   well
                   pleased
                   with
                   some
                   that
                   were
                   sinners
                   .
                   The
                   Patience
                   of
                   God
                   towards
                   the
                   world
                   ;
                   an
                   evidence
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   .
                   Experience
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   the
                   same
                   purpose
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 IV.
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 
                   fourth
                   place
                
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 fourth
                 Evidence
                 of
                 this
                 truth
                 ,
                 consider
                 those
                 ,
                 both
                 under
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 and
                 the
                 New
                 ,
                 concerning
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   Assurance
                
                 that
                 God
                 was
                 
                   well
                   pleased
                   with
                   them
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 now
                 in
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Argument
                 unto
                 this
                 purpose
                 the
                 Apostle
                 insists
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 presseth
                 from
                 sundry
                 instances
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
                 How
                 many
                 doth
                 he
                 there
                 reckon
                 up
                 who
                 of
                 old
                 
                   obtained
                   a
                   good
                   report
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   Testimony
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   pleased
                   God
                
                 :
                 ver
                 .
                 2.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   All
                   these
                   inherited
                   the
                   Promises
                   through
                   believing
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 obtained
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 For
                 whereas
                 by
                 
                   nature
                   they
                   were
                   children
                   of
                   wrath
                   ,
                
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 Curse
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 others
                 ,
                 obtaining
                 an
                 infallible
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 
                   favour
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   pleased
                   him
                
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 no
                 otherwise
                 be
                 .
                 For
                 without
                 this
                 ,
                 on
                 a
                 just
                 account
                 ,
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 would
                 have
                 continued
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 wherein
                 Adam
                 was
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   he
                   heard
                   the
                   voyce
                   of
                   God
                   and
                   was
                   afraid
                   .
                
                 Wherefore
                 it
                 being
                 evident
                 that
                 some
                 persons
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 ,
                 have
                 enjoyed
                 the
                 
                   friendship
                   ,
                   love
                
                 and
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 their
                 departure
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 have
                 entred
                 into
                 Glory
                 ;
                 it
                 makes
                 it
                 evident
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 these
                 things
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 mention
                 some
                 particular
                 instances
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 Look
                 unto
                 Abraham
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 the
                 
                   friend
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   walked
                   with
                   God
                
                 ;
                 God
                 made
                 a
                 solemn
                 Covenant
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 it
                 for
                 his
                 memorial
                 throughout
                 
                 all
                 generations
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Abraham
                
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 is
                 doubtless
                 now
                 
                   at
                   rest
                
                 with
                 God.
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 calls
                 the
                 place
                 or
                 condition
                 whereinto
                 blessed
                 souls
                 are
                 gathered
                 ,
                 
                   Abrahams
                   Bosom
                
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 at
                 rest
                 with
                 whom
                 others
                 are
                 at
                 rest
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 condition
                 was
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 Isaac
                 and
                 Jacob.
                 They
                 also
                 are
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 being
                 alive
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 God.
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 proves
                 it
                 from
                 the
                 tenour
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   God
                   of
                
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   the
                   God
                   of
                
                 Jacob.
                 
                   God
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   the
                   dead
                   but
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 32.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 yet
                 
                   alive
                   ,
                   alive
                
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 or
                 after
                 their
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   would
                   not
                   be
                   said
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   their
                   God.
                
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 our
                 Saviours
                 Argument
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 ;
                 that
                 after
                 their
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   was
                   still
                   their
                   God.
                
                 Then
                 death
                 had
                 not
                 reached
                 their
                 whole
                 persons
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 still
                 
                   alive
                   with
                   God
                
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 bodies
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 recovered
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 dust
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 same
                 is
                 the
                 state
                 with
                 David
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 a
                 
                   man
                   after
                   Gods
                   own
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   did
                   all
                   his
                   Will
                
                 ,
                 and
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 And
                 although
                 he
                 dyed
                 and
                 his
                 
                   body
                   saw
                   corruption
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 lost
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 with
                 
                   God
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 .
                 Hence
                 he
                 ended
                 his
                 dayes
                 triumphantly
                 in
                 a
                 full
                 apprehension
                 of
                 
                   Eternal
                   Rest
                
                 ,
                 beyond
                 what
                 could
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 be
                 attained
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 .
                 For
                 
                   these
                   are
                   the
                   last
                   words
                   of
                
                 David
                 ,
                 
                   Although
                   my
                   house
                   be
                   not
                   so
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   yet
                   he
                   hath
                   made
                   with
                   me
                   an
                   Everlasting
                   Covenant
                   ,
                
                 ascertaining
                 unto
                 him
                 sure
                 and
                 eternal
                 mercies
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 23.
                 5
              
               
                 
                   Peter
                   also
                   is
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 .
                 Christ
                 prayed
                 for
                 him
                 
                   that
                   his
                   faith
                   should
                   not
                   fail
                
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   in
                   his
                   death
                   he
                   glorified
                   God
                   ,
                
                 John
                 21.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 So
                 is
                 Paul.
                 He
                 also
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 he
                 knew
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 
                   wis
                   dissolved
                   he
                   should
                   be
                   with
                   Christ.
                
                 Here
                 then
                 we
                 are
                 encompassed
                 about
                 with
                 a
                 
                   cloud
                   of
                   witnesses
                
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   most
                   certain
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   all
                   sinners
                
                 ;
                 They
                 were
                 all
                 so
                 
                   by
                   nature
                
                 ;
                 for
                 therein
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 difference
                 between
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 And
                 personally
                 they
                 were
                 sinners
                 also
                 .
                 They
                 
                   confessed
                   so
                
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 stand
                 upon
                 record
                 .
                 Yea
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 
                   great
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 or
                 guilty
                 of
                 great
                 and
                 signal
                 miscarriages
                 .
                 Some
                 
                   before
                   their
                   Conversion
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Abraham
                 who
                 was
                 an
                 Idolater
                 ,
                 
                 Josh.
                 24.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 and
                 Paul
                 who
                 was
                 a
                 Persecutor
                 and
                 a
                 Blasphemer
                 .
                 Some
                 after
                 their
                 Conversion
                 .
                 Some
                 in
                 sins
                 
                   of
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 against
                 their
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 ;
                 and
                 some
                 in
                 sins
                 of
                 Profession
                 against
                 saith
                 ,
                 as
                 Peter
                 .
                 Nothing
                 then
                 is
                 more
                 evident
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 
                   no
                   one
                
                 of
                 them
                 came
                 to
                 rest
                 with
                 God
                 but
                 by
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Had
                 they
                 never
                 been
                 guilty
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 what
                 is
                 left
                 upon
                 Record
                 concerning
                 them
                 in
                 
                   Holy
                   Writ
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 could
                 be
                 saved
                 no
                 other
                 way
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 
                   that
                   transgresseth
                   the
                   Law
                   in
                   any
                   one
                   point
                   is
                   guilty
                   of
                   the
                   breach
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   ,
                
                 James
                 2.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 now
                 say
                 ?
                 Do
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 forgiveness
                 only
                 for
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 individual
                 person
                 ?
                 No
                 man
                 questions
                 but
                 that
                 
                   all
                   these
                
                 were
                 pardoned
                 .
                 Was
                 it
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 any
                 especial
                 
                   personal
                   priviledge
                
                 that
                 was
                 peculiar
                 unto
                 them
                 ?
                 Whence
                 should
                 any
                 
                   such
                   priviledge
                
                 arise
                 ,
                 seeing
                 
                   by
                   nature
                
                 they
                 were
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 others
                 ,
                 nor
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 personally
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 they
                 been
                 delivered
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 prepared
                 for
                 Obedience
                 by
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Pardon
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 they
                 all
                 
                   obtained
                   forgiveness
                
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 from
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   which
                   is
                   with
                   God.
                
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 equally
                 ready
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 come
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 same
                 way
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Many
                 of
                 those
                 concerning
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Assurance
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 
                   were
                   not
                   only
                   sinners
                   ,
                   but
                   great
                   sinners
                   ,
                
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 be
                 also
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 to
                 obviate
                 another
                 objection
                 .
                 For
                 some
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 although
                 they
                 were
                 sinners
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 
                   such
                   sinners
                
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 .
                 And
                 although
                 they
                 
                   obtained
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 Argument
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 do
                 so
                 also
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 guilty
                 of
                 other
                 sins
                 than
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 attended
                 with
                 other
                 Aggravations
                 than
                 theirs
                 were
                 .
                 To
                 which
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 delight
                 not
                 in
                 aggravating
                 ,
                 no
                 nor
                 yet
                 in
                 Repeating
                 the
                 sins
                 and
                 faults
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 old
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 the
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 
                   sins
                   of
                   men
                
                 have
                 by
                 some
                 been
                 
                   turned
                   into
                   lasciviousness
                
                 ;
                 or
                 been
                 made
                 a
                 cloak
                 for
                 their
                 lusts
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 for
                 the
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 recorded
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 they
                 may
                 
                   warn
                   us
                
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 we
                 also
                 fall
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 
                   yield
                   us
                   a
                   relief
                
                 under
                 our
                 surprizals
                 ,
                 are
                 they
                 written
                 .
                 So
                 then
                 where
                 
                 the
                 mention
                 of
                 them
                 tends
                 to
                 the
                 advancement
                 of
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Grace
                   and
                   Mercy
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 case
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 insist
                 on
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 think
                 then
                 that
                 without
                 mention
                 of
                 particulars
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 safely
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   sin
                   ,
                   no
                   degree
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   no
                   aggravating
                   circumstance
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   no
                   kind
                   of
                   continuance
                   in
                   sin
                   ,
                   (
                   the
                   one
                   only
                   sin
                   excepted
                   )
                   but
                   that
                   there
                   are
                   those
                   in
                   Heaven
                   who
                   have
                   been
                   guilty
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 yet
                 ,
                 some
                 will
                 say
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 considered
                 the
                 sins
                 and
                 falls
                 of
                 
                   Lot
                   ,
                   David
                   ,
                   Peter
                   ,
                   Paul
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Thief
                   himself
                
                 on
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 they
                 find
                 not
                 their
                 own
                 condition
                 Exemplified
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 have
                 the
                 same
                 success
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 shewing
                 that
                 
                   this
                   or
                   that
                   man
                
                 shall
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 demonstrating
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 
                   all
                   sorts
                   of
                   sins
                   and
                   sinners
                
                 which
                 these
                 Instances
                 do
                 assuredly
                 confirm
                 .
                 And
                 moreover
                 they
                 manifest
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 other
                 men
                 are
                 
                   not
                   pardoned
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 meerly
                 because
                 they
                 make
                 not
                 that
                 Application
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 they
                 did
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Yet
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 take
                 off
                 this
                 Objection
                 also
                 ,
                 consider
                 what
                 the
                 Apostle
                 says
                 in
                 particular
                 concerning
                 the
                 
                   several
                   sorts
                   of
                   sinners
                
                 that
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   not
                   deceived
                   ,
                   neither
                   Fornicators
                   ,
                   nor
                   Idolaters
                   ,
                   nor
                   Adulterers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Effeminate
                   ,
                   nor
                   Abusers
                   of
                   themselves
                   with
                   mankind
                   ,
                   nor
                   Thieves
                   ,
                   nor
                   Covetous
                   ,
                   nor
                   Drunkards
                   ,
                   nor
                   Revilers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Extortioners
                   ,
                   shall
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   such
                   were
                   some
                   of
                   you
                   .
                   But
                   you
                   are
                   washed
                   ,
                   but
                   you
                   are
                   sanctified
                   ,
                   but
                   you
                   are
                   justified
                   .
                
                 Hell
                 can
                 scarce
                 in
                 no
                 more
                 words
                 yield
                 us
                 a
                 sadder
                 Catalogue
                 .
                 Yet
                 some
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 sorts
                 were
                 justified
                 and
                 pardoned
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Suppose
                 this
                 Enumeration
                 of
                 sins
                 doth
                 not
                 reach
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 some
                 
                   especial
                   Aggravation
                
                 of
                 its
                 sin
                 ,
                 not
                 expressed
                 .
                 Let
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 add
                 that
                 of
                 our
                 Saviours
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   blasphemy
                   shall
                   be
                   forgiven
                   unto
                   men
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   blasphemy
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 all
                 actually
                 remitted
                 ,
                 and
                 pardoned
                 unto
                 
                   all
                   men
                
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 pardonable
                 ,
                 unto
                 those
                 that
                 seek
                 to
                 obtain
                 pardon
                 for
                 them
                 according
                 unto
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 Now
                 certainly
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   only
                   that
                   excepted
                
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 comes
                 within
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   sins
                   and
                   blasphemy
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 consequently
                 some
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 guilty
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 
                   now
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 .
              
               
               
                 We
                 take
                 it
                 for
                 a
                 
                   good
                   token
                
                 and
                 evidence
                 of
                 
                   a
                   vertuous
                   healing
                   water
                
                 ,
                 when
                 without
                 fraud
                 or
                 pretence
                 ,
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 crutches
                 of
                 cured
                 Criples
                 ,
                 and
                 impotent
                 persons
                 hung
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 memorial
                 of
                 its
                 efficacy
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 demonstration
                 of
                 the
                 skill
                 and
                 ability
                 of
                 a
                 Physitian
                 ,
                 when
                 many
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 
                   sick
                   person
                
                 and
                 tell
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 had
                 the
                 same
                 distemper
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 the
                 same
                 symptoms
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 effects
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 skill
                 and
                 care
                 we
                 are
                 cured
                 :
                 Oh
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   sick
                   man
                
                 bring
                 him
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 venture
                 my
                 life
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Saints
                   of
                   Heaven
                
                 stand
                 about
                 a
                 
                   sin
                   sick
                   soul
                
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 we
                 are
                 compassed
                 
                   with
                   a
                   cloud
                   of
                   witnesses
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 do
                 they
                 
                   bear
                   witness
                
                 unto
                 ?
                 What
                 say
                 they
                 unto
                 a
                 poor
                 guilty
                 sinner
                 ?
                 
                   As
                   thou
                   art
                   ,
                   so
                   were
                   we
                   ;
                   so
                   guilty
                   ,
                   so
                   perplexed
                   ,
                   so
                   obnoxious
                   to
                   wrath
                   ,
                   so
                   fearing
                   destruction
                   from
                   God.
                
                 And
                 what
                 way
                 did
                 you
                 steer
                 ,
                 what
                 course
                 did
                 you
                 take
                 to
                 obtain
                 the
                 blessed
                 condition
                 wherein
                 now
                 you
                 are
                 ?
                 Say
                 they
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   went
                   all
                   to
                   God
                   through
                   Christ
                   for
                   forgiveness
                   ,
                   and
                   found
                   plenty
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Mercy
                   and
                   Pardon
                   in
                   him
                   for
                   us
                   all
                   .
                
                 The
                 
                   rich
                   man
                
                 in
                 the
                 Parable
                 thought
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 means
                 of
                 conversion
                 ,
                 if
                 one
                 should
                 
                   rise
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                
                 and
                 preach
                 .
                 But
                 here
                 we
                 see
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Saints
                   departed
                
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 in
                 glory
                 do
                 
                   jointly
                   preach
                
                 this
                 fundamental
                 Truth
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 
              
               
                 Poor
                 souls
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 all
                 those
                 whom
                 they
                 read
                 or
                 hear
                 of
                 to
                 be
                 
                   gone
                   to
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 went
                 thither
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 
                   so
                   good
                   and
                   so
                   holy
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 eminently
                 and
                 exemplarily
                 so
                 in
                 their
                 generations
                 .
                 All
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 so
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 degrees
                 and
                 measures
                 :
                 for
                 
                   without
                   holiness
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   see
                   God.
                
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 labour
                 to
                 be
                 like
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 we
                 intend
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 in
                 Happiness
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   any
                   one
                
                 that
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 alone
                 excepted
                 ,
                 did
                 ever
                 come
                 thither
                 any
                 other
                 way
                 but
                 by
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 also
                 bring
                 us
                 thither
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 
                   Evidence
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 I
                 the
                 rather
                 urge
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 find
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Paul
                 doing
                 of
                 it
                 eminently
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 person
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 
                   I
                   thank
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   our
                   Lord
                   who
                   hath
                   enabled
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   that
                   he
                   counted
                   me
                   faithful
                   ,
                   putting
                   me
                
                 
                 
                   into
                   the
                   Ministry
                   ;
                   who
                   was
                   before
                   a
                   Blasphemer
                   and
                   a
                   Persecutor
                   and
                   injurious
                   .
                   But
                   I
                   obtained
                   mercy
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   did
                   it
                   ignorantly
                   in
                   unbelief
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   faithful
                   saying
                   ,
                   and
                   worthy
                   of
                   all
                   acceptation
                   ,
                   that
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   came
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   to
                   save
                   sinners
                   ,
                   of
                   whom
                   I
                   am
                   chief
                   .
                   Howbeit
                   for
                   this
                   cause
                   I
                   obtained
                   mercy
                   ,
                   that
                   in
                   me
                   first
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   might
                   sh●w
                   forth
                   all
                   long-suffering
                   for
                   a
                   pattern
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   should
                   hereafter
                   believe
                   on
                   him
                   to
                   life
                   everlasting
                   .
                   A
                   great
                   sinner
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 the
                 chiefest
                 of
                 sinners
                 I
                 was
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 manifests
                 by
                 some
                 notable
                 instances
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 .
                 I
                 was
                 saith
                 he
                 a
                 blasphemer
                 ,
                 the
                 highest
                 sin
                 against
                 God
                 ;
                 a
                 Persecutor
                 ,
                 the
                 highest
                 sin
                 against
                 the
                 Saints
                 ;
                 Injurious
                 ,
                 the
                 highest
                 wickednes
                 ,
                 towards
                 mankind
                 .
                 But
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   obtained
                   mercy
                
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 a
                 blessed
                 effect
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 be
                 so
                 
                   accounted
                   faithful
                   as
                   to
                   be
                   put
                   into
                   the
                   Ministry
                   .
                
                 And
                 then
                 that
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 in
                 him
                 
                   and
                   towards
                   him
                   was
                   exceeding
                   abundant
                   .
                
                 And
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 Reason
                 ,
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 cause
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 thus
                 dealt
                 withal
                 ?
                 Why
                 it
                 was
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 pattern
                 ,
                 an
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 an
                 Argument
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Forgiveness
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 for
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 sinners
                 that
                 would
                 believe
                 to
                 life
                 Everlasting
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 conclude
                 then
                 this
                 Evidence
                 .
                 Every
                 one
                 who
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 hath
                 his
                 pardon
                 sealed
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 All
                 these
                 pardons
                 are
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 hanged
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 enrolled
                 in
                 the
                 Promises
                 thereof
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 encouragement
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 come
                 and
                 sue
                 out
                 theirs
                 also
                 .
                 Fear
                 not
                 then
                 the
                 
                   Guilt
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 we
                 love
                 and
                 like
                 sin
                 better
                 than
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 go
                 without
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 we
                 had
                 but
                 rather
                 be
                 pardoned
                 in
                 Gods
                 way
                 ,
                 than
                 perish
                 ,
                 our
                 condition
                 is
                 secure
                 .
              
               
                 
                 V.
                 The
                 same
                 is
                 evident
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Patience
                   of
                   God
                   towards
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
                 For
                 the
                 clearing
                 hereof
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 upon
                 the
                 first
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 breach
                 of
                 that
                 Covenant
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 with
                 mankind
                 in
                 Adam
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 immediately
                 have
                 executed
                 the
                 Threatned
                 Curse
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 brought
                 
                   eternal
                   death
                
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 sinned
                 .
                 Justice
                 
                 required
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 was
                 nothing
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 creation
                 to
                 interpose
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 for
                 a
                 reprieve
                 or
                 a
                 respite
                 of
                 vengeance
                 .
                 And
                 had
                 God
                 then
                 sent
                 
                   sinning
                   man
                
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Apostate
                   Angels
                
                 that
                 induced
                 him
                 into
                 sin
                 ,
                 immediately
                 into
                 eternal
                 destruction
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 glorified
                 in
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Severity
                 ,
                 by
                 and
                 among
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 sinned
                 not
                 ;
                 or
                 he
                 could
                 have
                 created
                 a
                 
                   new
                   race
                   of
                   innocent
                   creatures
                
                 to
                 have
                 worshipped
                 him
                 and
                 glorified
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 Righteous
                 Judgement
                 ;
                 even
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 Elect
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 shall
                 do
                 for
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 ungodly
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   not
                   taken
                   this
                   course
                   .
                
                 He
                 hath
                 continued
                 the
                 
                   race
                   of
                   mankind
                
                 for
                 a
                 long
                 season
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 he
                 hath
                 watched
                 over
                 them
                 with
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 and
                 exercised
                 exceeding
                 Patience
                 ,
                 forbearance
                 and
                 longsuffering
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Paul
                 at
                 large
                 discourseth
                 on
                 ,
                 Acts
                 14.
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 Chap.
                 17.
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 as
                 also
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 open
                 and
                 manifest
                 in
                 their
                 event
                 .
                 The
                 whole
                 world
                 is
                 every
                 day
                 filled
                 with
                 tokens
                 of
                 the
                 
                   power
                   and
                   patience
                
                 of
                 God.
                 Every
                 Nation
                 ,
                 every
                 City
                 ,
                 every
                 Family
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 common
                 Abuse
                 of
                 this
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 visible
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 was
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 God
                 saw
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 complained
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 6.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 All
                 the
                 evil
                 ,
                 sin
                 ,
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 heart
                 can
                 conceive
                 ,
                 no
                 tongue
                 can
                 express
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 all
                 an
                 abuse
                 of
                 this
                 patience
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 is
                 the
                 consequent
                 of
                 Gods
                 patience
                 and
                 forbearance
                 .
                 Men
                 count
                 it
                 a
                 season
                 to
                 fulfill
                 all
                 the
                 abominations
                 that
                 their
                 evil
                 hearts
                 can
                 suggest
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 Satan
                 draw
                 them
                 into
                 a
                 combination
                 with
                 himself
                 in
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 proclaims
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 ones
                 experience
                 confirms
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 consider
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 and
                 proper
                 end
                 of
                 this
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 enduring
                 it
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 suffering
                 one
                 Generation
                 to
                 be
                 multiplyed
                 after
                 another
                 .
                 Shall
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 no
                 other
                 design
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 this
                 Patience
                 towards
                 mankind
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 ,
                 but
                 meerly
                 to
                 suffer
                 them
                 all
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 without
                 Exception
                 ,
                 to
                 sin
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 dishonour
                 him
                 ,
                 provoke
                 
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 may
                 at
                 length
                 
                   everlastingly
                   destroy
                   them
                   all
                
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 confessed
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Consequent
                 ,
                 the
                 event
                 of
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 through
                 their
                 perverse
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 love
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 pleasure
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 this
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 his
                 only
                 design
                 ?
                 hath
                 he
                 no
                 other
                 purpose
                 but
                 meerly
                 to
                 forbear
                 them
                 a
                 while
                 in
                 their
                 folly
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 to
                 avenge
                 himself
                 upon
                 them
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 his
                 intendment
                 not
                 only
                 towards
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 obstinate
                 in
                 their
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 Ignorance
                 and
                 Rebellion
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 whose
                 
                   damnation
                   is
                   just
                   and
                   sleepeth
                   not
                
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 towards
                 those
                 whom
                 he
                 stirs
                 up
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 to
                 seek
                 after
                 a
                 Remedy
                 and
                 Deliverance
                 from
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 apprehension
                 would
                 be
                 contrary
                 to
                 all
                 those
                 notions
                 of
                 the
                 
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                
                 and
                 Goodness
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 are
                 ingrafted
                 upon
                 our
                 hearts
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 manifest
                 and
                 declare
                 .
                 Whatever
                 therefore
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 this
                 cannot
                 be
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   his
                   patience
                   towards
                   the
                   world
                
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 long
                 since
                 have
                 cut
                 off
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   race
                   of
                   mankind
                
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 other
                 thoughts
                 and
                 purposes
                 towards
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 If
                 this
                 Patience
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 any
                 other
                 Intention
                 towards
                 any
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 effect
                 upon
                 some
                 ,
                 upon
                 any
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 reckoned
                 the
                 
                   principal
                   End
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 whereof
                 it
                 is
                 evidently
                 extended
                 unto
                 some
                 others
                 consiquentially
                 unto
                 all
                 .
                 For
                 those
                 concerning
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 an
                 
                   especial
                   design
                
                 in
                 his
                 patience
                 ,
                 being
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 after
                 the
                 ordinary
                 way
                 of
                 mankind
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 
                   all
                   Ages
                
                 during
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 thereof
                 ,
                 the
                 patience
                 which
                 is
                 extended
                 unto
                 them
                 must
                 also
                 of
                 necessity
                 reach
                 unto
                 all
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 variety
                 wherein
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 exercise
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 
                   whole
                   world
                
                 therefore
                 is
                 continued
                 under
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 some
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 see
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 this
                 Patience
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 teacheth
                 us
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 
                   end
                   possible
                
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 before
                 rejected
                 ,
                 unless
                 there
                 be
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Unless
                 God
                 be
                 ready
                 and
                 willing
                 
                   to
                   forgive
                   the
                   sins
                
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 according
                 unto
                 his
                 appointment
                 ,
                 his
                 patience
                 is
                 meerly
                 subservient
                 unto
                 a
                 design
                 of
                 wrath
                 ,
                 anger
                 ,
                 severity
                 and
                 a
                 
                   Resolution
                   to
                   destroy
                
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 an
                 abomination
                 once
                 
                 to
                 suppose
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 reflect
                 unspeakable
                 dishonour
                 upon
                 the
                 Holy
                 God.
                 Let
                 a
                 Man
                 but
                 deal
                 thus
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 token
                 of
                 as
                 
                   evil
                   an
                   habit
                
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 perverse
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 can
                 befall
                 him
                 .
                 Let
                 him
                 bear
                 with
                 these
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 his
                 power
                 in
                 
                   their
                   faults
                
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   no
                   other
                   end
                
                 ,
                 or
                 with
                 no
                 other
                 design
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 take
                 advantage
                 to
                 bring
                 a
                 greater
                 punishment
                 and
                 revenge
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 more
                 
                   vile
                   affection
                
                 ,
                 what
                 more
                 
                   wretched
                   corruption
                
                 of
                 heart
                 and
                 mind
                 ,
                 can
                 he
                 manifest
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   design
                
                 of
                 the
                 Patience
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 objected
                 that
                 this
                 Argument
                 is
                 not
                 cogent
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 instance
                 that
                 lyes
                 against
                 it
                 in
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 the
                 Angels
                 ,
                 that
                 sinned
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 they
                 fell
                 into
                 their
                 transgression
                 and
                 Apostacy
                 ,
                 before
                 mankind
                 did
                 so
                 :
                 For
                 they
                 lead
                 and
                 seduced
                 our
                 first
                 Parents
                 into
                 sin
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 God
                 
                   bears
                   with
                   them
                
                 and
                 exerciseth
                 patience
                 towards
                 them
                 to
                 this
                 very
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 do
                 so
                 unto
                 the
                 consummation
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 fire
                 
                   prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   .
                
                 And
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 granted
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   no
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 necessarily
                 follow
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 so
                 for
                 man
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 patience
                 towards
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 That
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 more
                 
                   fully
                   spoken
                
                 unto
                 when
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 remove
                 that
                 
                   great
                   Objection
                
                 against
                 this
                 whole
                 Truth
                 which
                 was
                 mentioned
                 before
                 ,
                 taken
                 from
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 the
                 
                   sinning
                   Angels
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 spared
                 not
                 ;
                 at
                 present
                 two
                 or
                 three
                 Observations
                 will
                 remove
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 way
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 
                   case
                   is
                   not
                   the
                   same
                
                 with
                 the
                 
                   sinning
                   Angels
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   race
                   of
                   mankind
                
                 in
                 all
                 Generations
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 Angels
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 those
                 individuals
                 who
                 first
                 sinned
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 persons
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Providence
                 and
                 Patience
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 multiplyed
                 and
                 encreased
                 in
                 ensuing
                 times
                 and
                 seasons
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 continue
                 the
                 
                   same
                   individual
                   persons
                
                 who
                 first
                 sinned
                 and
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 
                   immediate
                   execution
                
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 their
                 sin
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 prevented
                 any
                 encrease
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 with
                 man
                 it
                 is
                 otherwise
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 continues
                 his
                 patience
                 towards
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 
                   production
                   of
                   millions
                
                 of
                 other
                 persons
                 who
                 were
                 not
                 actually
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 sin
                 .
                 Had
                 not
                 God
                 so
                 continued
                 his
                 forbearance
                 ,
                 their
                 
                 Being
                 and
                 consequently
                 their
                 sin
                 and
                 misery
                 had
                 been
                 prevented
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 case
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 sinning
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Indeed
                 God
                 
                   exerciseth
                   no
                   patience
                
                 toward
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 sinned
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 he
                 had
                 
                   no
                   forgiveness
                
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 Peter
                 tells
                 us
                 ;
                 2
                 Epistle
                 2.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   God
                   spared
                   not
                   the
                   Angels
                   that
                   sinned
                   but
                   cast
                   them
                   down
                   into
                   Hell
                   ,
                   and
                   delivered
                   them
                   into
                   chains
                   of
                   darkness
                   .
                
                 Immediately
                 upon
                 their
                 sin
                 they
                 were
                 
                   cast
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                
                 whose
                 vision
                 and
                 enjoyment
                 they
                 were
                 made
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 they
                 received
                 some
                 experience
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 were
                 
                   cast
                   into
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 their
                 
                   ordinary
                   retention
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 present
                 anguish
                 under
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 curse
                 and
                 displeasure
                 .
                 And
                 although
                 they
                 may
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 be
                 permitted
                 
                   to
                   compass
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   walk
                   to
                   and
                   fro
                   therein
                
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 Gods
                 holy
                 wise
                 Providence
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   prison
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 are
                 still
                 in
                 their
                 chains
                 :
                 for
                 they
                 were
                 delivered
                 
                   unto
                   chains
                   of
                   darkness
                   to
                   be
                   kept
                   unto
                   the
                   last
                   Judgement
                   .
                
                 And
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 they
                 lye
                 actually
                 under
                 the
                 execution
                 of
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 indeed
                 
                   no
                   patience
                
                 exercised
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 notorious
                 Malefactor
                 ,
                 or
                 Murtherer
                 be
                 committed
                 unto
                 a
                 Dungeon
                 ,
                 and
                 kept
                 bound
                 with
                 
                   Iron
                   chains
                
                 to
                 prevent
                 his
                 escape
                 ,
                 untill
                 the
                 
                   appointed
                   day
                   of
                   his
                   solemn
                   Judgement
                
                 and
                 Execution
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 intention
                 to
                 
                   spare
                   him
                
                 ;
                 None
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 patience
                 exercised
                 towards
                 him
                 ;
                 Things
                 being
                 disposed
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 his
                 punishment
                 may
                 be
                 secure
                 and
                 severe
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 case
                 ,
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 sinned
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 not
                 therefore
                 to
                 be
                 esteemed
                 objects
                 of
                 Gods
                 patience
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 reason
                 why
                 the
                 
                   full
                   and
                   final
                   punishment
                
                 of
                 these
                 Angels
                 is
                 reserved
                 and
                 respited
                 unto
                 the
                 appointed
                 season
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 their
                 
                   own
                   sakes
                
                 ,
                 their
                 good
                 ,
                 benefit
                 ,
                 or
                 advantage
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 but
                 meerly
                 that
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Gods
                 patience
                 towards
                 mankind
                 might
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
                 When
                 this
                 is
                 once
                 brought
                 about
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 
                   spared
                   a
                   day
                   ,
                   an
                   hour
                   ,
                   a
                   moment
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 Gods
                 dispensation
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 a
                 meer
                 
                   withholding
                   the
                   infliction
                
                 of
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 their
                 punishment
                 ,
                 until
                 he
                 hath
                 accomplished
                 the
                 
                   blessed
                   ends
                   of
                   his
                   patience
                   towards
                   mankind
                   .
                
              
               
                 But
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 (
                 Secondly
                 )
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 willing
                 
                 
                   to
                   shew
                   his
                   wrath
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   make
                   his
                   power
                   known
                   ,
                   endures
                   with
                   much
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   the
                   Vessels
                   of
                   wrath
                   fitted
                   for
                   destruction
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 22.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 seems
                 that
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 Gods
                 endurance
                 and
                 longsuffering
                 ,
                 to
                 some
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 their
                 
                   fitting
                   unto
                   destruction
                
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 to
                 
                   endure
                   with
                   much
                   long
                   suffering
                
                 ,
                 another
                 thing
                 to
                 
                   exercise
                   and
                   declare
                   patience
                
                 .
                 The
                 former
                 only
                 intimates
                 Gods
                 
                   withholding
                   for
                   a
                   season
                   of
                   that
                   destruction
                
                 which
                 he
                 might
                 justly
                 inflict
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 speak
                 not
                 of
                 ;
                 the
                 other
                 denotes
                 an
                 
                   acting
                   in
                   a
                   way
                   of
                   Goodness
                
                 and
                 kindness
                 for
                 some
                 especial
                 end
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 
                   next
                   Verse
                
                 declares
                 the
                 great
                 end
                 of
                 Gods
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 answers
                 this
                 Objection
                 .
                 That
                 
                   he
                   might
                   make
                   known
                   the
                   riches
                   of
                   his
                   glory
                   in
                   the
                   vessels
                   of
                   mercy
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   prepared
                   for
                   glory
                   ,
                
                 ver
                 .
                 23.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 End
                 of
                 Gods
                 patience
                 ,
                 which
                 whilst
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 towards
                 the
                 Vessels
                 of
                 mercy
                 ;
                 he
                 endureth
                 others
                 with
                 much
                 long-suffering
                 ,
                 and
                 forbearance
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 is
                 fully
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 sufficient
                 Reason
                 assigned
                 of
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 
                   towards
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 prepared
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 Scripture
                 clearly
                 testifies
                 unto
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 Question
                 is
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 God
                 
                   forbears
                   the
                   Execution
                   of
                   his
                   Judgement
                   upon
                   wicked
                   and
                   ungodly
                   men
                   .
                
                 Some
                 would
                 have
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 slack
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 regardless
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 and
                 takes
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 another
                 design
                 in
                 his
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 manifest
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   not
                   willing
                   we
                   should
                   perish
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 it
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 proved
                 .
                 For
                 our
                 freedom
                 from
                 destruction
                 is
                 by
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 which
                 necessarily
                 infers
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 Sin.
                 So
                 Paul
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 declared
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 
                   End
                   of
                   Gods
                   patience
                
                 and
                 forbearance
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   remission
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 25.
                 
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 also
                 mind
                 this
                 Evidence
                 in
                 the
                 Application
                 of
                 our selves
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 pardon
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 that
                 God
                 might
                 have
                 taken
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 womb
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 cast
                 us
                 into
                 utter
                 darkness
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 guilty
                 of
                 such
                 provocations
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 might
                 justly
                 have
                 taken
                 the
                 Advantage
                 
                 of
                 ,
                 to
                 glorifie
                 his
                 Justice
                 and
                 Severity
                 in
                 our
                 ruine
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 we
                 have
                 
                   lived
                   thus
                   long
                   in
                   the
                   patience
                
                 and
                 forbearance
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 hat
                 he
                 thus
                 spared
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 pass
                 
                   those
                   Advantages
                
                 for
                 our
                 destruction
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 put
                 into
                 his
                 hand
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 by
                 his
                 patience
                 ,
                 give
                 us
                 leave
                 and
                 space
                 to
                 get
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 he
                 thus
                 testifies
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 himself
                 ?
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 be
                 encouraged
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 use
                 it
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 and
                 purpose
                 for
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 exercised
                 towards
                 us
                 .
                 You
                 that
                 are
                 yet
                 in
                 
                   doubt
                   of
                   your
                   condition
                
                 ,
                 consider
                 that
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 extended
                 unto
                 you
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 this
                 very
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 might
                 use
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 of
                 the
                 
                   remission
                   of
                   your
                   sins
                
                 .
                 Lose
                 not
                 
                   this
                   day
                
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   one
                   day
                
                 more
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 love
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 For
                 wosul
                 will
                 be
                 their
                 condition
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 perish
                 for
                 despising
                 or
                 
                   abusing
                   of
                   the
                   patience
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                 VI.
                 
                   The
                   faith
                   and
                   experience
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   in
                   this
                   world
                   ,
                
                 give
                 in
                 testimony
                 unto
                 this
                 truth
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 their
                 Record
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 is
                 true
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 ask
                 of
                 them
                 what
                 they
                 believe
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 found
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 Experience
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 himself
                 directs
                 and
                 leads
                 us
                 unto
                 ,
                 by
                 appealing
                 unto
                 our
                 own
                 experience
                 ,
                 whence
                 he
                 shews
                 us
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 relief
                 and
                 supportment
                 in
                 our
                 distresses
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 28.
                 
                 
                   Hast
                   thou
                   not
                   heard
                   ;
                   hast
                   not
                   thou
                   known
                   ?
                
                 Hast
                 not
                 thou
                 thy self
                 ,
                 who
                 now
                 cryest
                 out
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 
                   lost
                   and
                   undone
                
                 ,
                 because
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   forsaken
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 sound
                 and
                 known
                 by
                 experience
                 the
                 contrary
                 from
                 his
                 former
                 dealings
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 our
                 
                   own
                   Experiences
                
                 may
                 confirm
                 us
                 against
                 the
                 workings
                 of
                 our
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 so
                 may
                 those
                 of
                 others
                 also
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 Eliphas
                 directs
                 Job
                 unto
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 6.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Call
                   now
                   if
                   there
                   be
                   any
                   that
                   will
                   answer
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   which
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   wilt
                   thou
                   look
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 supplication
                 to
                 them
                 for
                 help
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 intended
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 enquiry
                 after
                 the
                 Experience
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 wrongfully
                 thought
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 justifie
                 Job
                 .
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   to
                   which
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 or
                 left
                 ,
                 
                   wilt
                   thou
                   have
                   regard
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 Some
                 would
                 foolishly
                 hence
                 seek
                 to
                 confirm
                 the
                 
                   Invocation
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   departed
                
                 ;
                 when
                 indeed
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 intended
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 rather
                 forbidden
                 and
                 discountenanced
                 
                 than
                 directed
                 unto
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 here
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Saints
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 whose
                 experiences
                 Job
                 is
                 directed
                 to
                 enquire
                 into
                 and
                 after
                 .
                 David
                 makes
                 it
                 a
                 great
                 encouragement
                 unto
                 waiting
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 God
                 hearing
                 prayers
                 ,
                 that
                 others
                 had
                 done
                 so
                 and
                 found
                 success
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 34.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   This
                   poor
                   man
                   cryed
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   heard
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   saved
                   him
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   troubles
                   .
                
                 If
                 he
                 did
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 that
                 blessed
                 Issue
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 we
                 do
                 so
                 also
                 ?
                 The
                 experiences
                 of
                 one
                 ,
                 are
                 often
                 proposed
                 for
                 the
                 confirmation
                 and
                 establishment
                 of
                 others
                 :
                 so
                 the
                 same
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Come
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   hear
                   all
                   ye
                   that
                   fear
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   declare
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   for
                   my
                   soul.
                
                 He
                 contents
                 not
                 himself
                 to
                 mind
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 doth
                 most
                 frequently
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 them
                 the
                 encouragement
                 and
                 supportment
                 also
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Experience
                 .
                 So
                 Paul
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   was
                   comforted
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   all
                   his
                   tribulation
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   comfort
                   them
                   which
                   are
                   in
                   any
                   trouble
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   comfort
                   wherewith
                   he
                   himself
                   was
                   comforted
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 communicate
                 unto
                 them
                 his
                 own
                 experience
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 Assurance
                 that
                 he
                 found
                 therein
                 .
                 So
                 also
                 he
                 proposeth
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 motive
                 unto
                 others
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 mutual
                 communication
                 of
                 satisfying
                 experiences
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 our
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 and
                 evidence
                 of
                 the
                 Power
                 ,
                 Efficacy
                 and
                 Reality
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Truths
                 ,
                 being
                 rightly
                 managed
                 ,
                 is
                 of
                 singular
                 use
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Believers
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 same
                 Great
                 Apostle
                 acquaints
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Example
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   I
                   long
                   to
                   see
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   impart
                   unto
                   you
                   some
                   spiritual
                   gift
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   you
                   may
                   be
                   established
                   ;
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   be
                   comforted
                   together
                   with
                   you
                   by
                   the
                   mutual
                   faith
                   both
                   of
                   you
                   and
                   me
                
                 :
                 He
                 longed
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 be
                 instructing
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Ministry
                 committed
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 confer
                 also
                 with
                 them
                 about
                 their
                 mutual
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 Experiences
                 of
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Believing
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 attained
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 have
                 in
                 our
                 case
                 called
                 in
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Saints
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 these
                 on
                 earth
                 do
                 make
                 up
                 one
                 family
                 ,
                 even
                 
                   that
                   one
                   family
                   in
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   which
                   is
                   called
                   after
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 3.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 they
                 all
                 agree
                 in
                 their
                 Testimonie
                 ,
                 as
                 becomes
                 the
                 Family
                 and
                 Children
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 these
                 below
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 deal
                 personally
                 with
                 ;
                 whereas
                 we
                 gather
                 the
                 Witness
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 only
                 from
                 what
                 is
                 left
                 upon
                 record
                 concerning
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 clearing
                 of
                 this
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 sundry
                 things
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Men
                   living
                   under
                   the
                   profession
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   experiencing
                   the
                   power
                   ,
                   vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   efficacy
                   of
                   it
                   in
                   their
                   hearts
                   are
                   ,
                   whatever
                   they
                   profess
                   ,
                   very
                   near
                   to
                   Atheism
                   ,
                   or
                   at
                   least
                   exposed
                   to
                   great
                   temptations
                   thereunto
                   .
                
                 If
                 they
                 profess
                 they
                 know
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 works
                 deny
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   are
                   abominable
                   ,
                   and
                   disobedient
                   ,
                   and
                   unto
                   every
                   good
                   work
                   reprobate
                   ,
                
                 Tit.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 Let
                 such
                 men
                 lay
                 aside
                 Tradition
                 and
                 Custome
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 give
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 a
                 free
                 and
                 a
                 rational
                 consideration
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 quickly
                 find
                 that
                 all
                 their
                 profession
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 miserable
                 self-deceiving
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 indeed
                 they
                 believe
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Religion
                 which
                 they
                 profess
                 .
                 For
                 of
                 what
                 their
                 Religion
                 affirms
                 to
                 be
                 
                   in
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 they
                 find
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 true
                 or
                 real
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 Reason
                 have
                 they
                 then
                 to
                 believe
                 that
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 it
                 speaks
                 of
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 are
                 one
                 jot
                 better
                 ?
                 If
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 Experience
                 of
                 what
                 it
                 affirms
                 to
                 be
                 within
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 confidence
                 can
                 they
                 have
                 of
                 the
                 Reality
                 of
                 what
                 it
                 reveals
                 to
                 be
                 without
                 them
                 ?
                 John
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   who
                   saith
                   he
                   loves
                   God
                   whom
                   he
                   hath
                   not
                   seen
                   ,
                   and
                   doth
                   not
                   love
                   his
                   Brother
                   whom
                   he
                   hath
                   seen
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   lyar
                   .
                
                 Men
                 who
                 do
                 not
                 things
                 of
                 an
                 equal
                 concernment
                 unto
                 them
                 wherein
                 they
                 
                   may
                   be
                   tryed
                
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 in
                 what
                 they
                 profess
                 about
                 
                   greater
                   things
                
                 whereof
                 no
                 tryal
                 can
                 be
                 had
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 that
                 believes
                 not
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   experienceth
                   not
                
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Religion
                 he
                 professeth
                 affirms
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 sayes
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 believe
                 other
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 Experience
                 of
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 lyar
                 .
                 For
                 instance
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 professeth
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 avows
                 that
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 doth
                 
                   crucifie
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 that
                 faith
                 purifieth
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 quickens
                 and
                 enables
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 duty
                 ;
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 good
                 and
                 gracious
                 unto
                 all
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 precious
                 Communion
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 with
                 him
                 by
                 Christ
                 ;
                 
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 great
                 Joy
                 in
                 believing
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 are
                 
                   plainly
                   ,
                   openly
                   ,
                   frequently
                
                 insisted
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
                 Hence
                 the
                 Apostle
                 presseth
                 men
                 unto
                 Obedience
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 leaves
                 them
                 at
                 liberty
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 11.
                 
                 Now
                 if
                 men
                 have
                 lived
                 long
                 in
                 the
                 profession
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 saying
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 indeed
                 find
                 nothing
                 of
                 
                   Truth
                   ,
                   Reality
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Power
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 have
                 no
                 experience
                 of
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 or
                 souls
                 ,
                 what
                 stable
                 ground
                 have
                 they
                 of
                 believing
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 whereof
                 they
                 cannot
                 have
                 experience
                 ?
                 A
                 man
                 professeth
                 that
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 will
                 mortifie
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 subdue
                 corruption
                 ;
                 Why
                 doth
                 he
                 believe
                 it
                 ?
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 affirmed
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 :
                 How
                 then
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 find
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ?
                 Hath
                 it
                 this
                 effect
                 upon
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 ?
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 he
                 finds
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 How
                 then
                 can
                 this
                 man
                 believe
                 that
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 affirmed
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 seeing
                 that
                 he
                 finds
                 no
                 real
                 truth
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 it
                 affirms
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 himself
                 ?
                 So
                 our
                 Saviour
                 argues
                 ,
                 John
                 3.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   If
                   I
                   have
                   told
                   you
                   earthly
                   things
                   and
                   ye
                   believe
                   not
                   ;
                   how
                   will
                   you
                   believe
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   tell
                   you
                   heavenly
                   things
                   ?
                
                 If
                 you
                 believe
                 not
                 the
                 
                   doctrine
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 ought
                 to
                 have
                 experience
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 wrought
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 men
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 how
                 can
                 you
                 assent
                 unto
                 those
                 heavenly
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 first
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 received
                 by
                 a
                 pure
                 Act
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 present
                 sense
                 or
                 experience
                 .
              
               
                 Of
                 all
                 dangers
                 therefore
                 in
                 profession
                 ,
                 let
                 professors
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 this
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 customary
                 ,
                 traditional
                 ,
                 or
                 doctrinal
                 owning
                 such
                 truths
                 ,
                 as
                 ought
                 to
                 have
                 their
                 effects
                 and
                 accomplishment
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 experience
                 of
                 the
                 reality
                 and
                 efficacy
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 plainly
                 to
                 have
                 
                   a
                   form
                   of
                   godliness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 
                   deny
                   the
                   power
                   thereof
                
                 .
                 And
                 of
                 this
                 sort
                 of
                 men
                 do
                 we
                 see
                 many
                 turning
                 Atheists
                 ,
                 Scoffers
                 ,
                 and
                 open
                 Apostates
                 ;
                 they
                 find
                 in
                 themselves
                 that
                 their
                 profession
                 was
                 a
                 lye
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 truth
                 they
                 had
                 none
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 they
                 talked
                 of
                 ;
                 And
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 should
                 they
                 continue
                 longer
                 in
                 the
                 avowing
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 ?
                 Besides
                 finding
                 these
                 things
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 professed
                 to
                 be
                 
                   in
                   them
                
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ;
                 they
                 think
                 that
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 believed
                 of
                 the
                 
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 
                   without
                   them
                
                 ,
                 are
                 of
                 no
                 other
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 reject
                 them
                 alltogether
                 .
              
               
                 You
                 will
                 say
                 then
                 ,
                 What
                 shall
                 a
                 man
                 do
                 who
                 cannot
                 find
                 or
                 obtain
                 
                   an
                   experience
                   in
                   himself
                
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 affirmed
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ?
                 he
                 cannot
                 find
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 
                   crucifying
                   sin
                   in
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 cannot
                 find
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 sanctifying
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 or
                 obtain
                 Joy
                 in
                 believing
                 .
                 What
                 shall
                 he
                 then
                 do
                 ?
                 Shall
                 he
                 not
                 believe
                 ,
                 or
                 profess
                 those
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 cannot
                 obtaine
                 a
                 blessed
                 Experience
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 hath
                 perfectly
                 given
                 direction
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 John
                 7.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   will
                   do
                   his
                   will
                   he
                   shall
                   know
                   of
                   the
                   doctrine
                   ,
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   or
                   whether
                   I
                   speak
                   of
                   my self
                   .
                
                 Continue
                 in
                 following
                 after
                 the
                 things
                 revealed
                 in
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 
                   satisfactory
                   experience
                
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 true
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 cease
                 not
                 to
                 act
                 faith
                 on
                 them
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 their
                 effects
                 ;
                 
                   for
                   then
                   shall
                   we
                   know
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   follow
                   on
                   to
                   know
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Hoseah
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 Experience
                 will
                 ensue
                 upon
                 
                   permanency
                   in
                   faith
                   and
                   obedience
                
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 Act
                 of
                 sincere
                 believing
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 accompanied
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 taste
                 ,
                 will
                 give
                 the
                 soul
                 so
                 much
                 experience
                 as
                 to
                 produce
                 a
                 firm
                 adherence
                 unto
                 the
                 things
                 believed
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 
                   to
                   prove
                   ,
                   what
                   is
                   that
                   good
                   and
                   acceptable
                   and
                   perfect
                   Will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 revealed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 12.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Where
                   there
                   is
                   an
                   inward
                   spiritual
                   Experience
                   of
                   the
                   power
                   ,
                   reality
                   and
                   efficacy
                   of
                   any
                   supernatural
                   truth
                   ;
                   It
                   gives
                   great
                   satisfaction
                   ,
                   stability
                   and
                   Assurance
                   unto
                   the
                   soul.
                
                 It
                 puts
                 the
                 soul
                 out
                 of
                 danger
                 ,
                 or
                 suspicion
                 of
                 being
                 deceived
                 ;
                 and
                 gives
                 it
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 it self
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   on
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   hath
                   the
                   witness
                   in
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 He
                 had
                 discoursed
                 of
                 the
                 manifold
                 testimony
                 that
                 is
                 given
                 in
                 Heaven
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 
                   holy
                   Persons
                   of
                   the
                   Trinity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 earth
                 by
                 Grace
                 and
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 eternal
                 life
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 And
                 this
                 Record
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 firm
                 ,
                 and
                 stable
                 ,
                 an
                 abiding
                 foundation
                 for
                 souls
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 never
                 deceive
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 it
                 is
                 
                   without
                   us
                
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 Experience
                 of
                 in
                 our selves
                 :
                 Only
                 we
                 rest
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 Authority
                 and
                 faithfulness
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 give
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 he
                 that
                 
                 actually
                 believeth
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 
                   Testimony
                   in
                   himself
                
                 ;
                 he
                 hath
                 by
                 experience
                 a
                 real
                 evidence
                 and
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 testified
                 unto
                 ,
                 namely
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 eternal
                 life
                 .
                 
                   And
                   that
                   this
                   life
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 12.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 a
                 little
                 consider
                 ,
                 wherein
                 this
                 evidence
                 consisteth
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 whence
                 this
                 Assurance
                 ariseth
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 some
                 few
                 things
                 must
                 be
                 considered
                 :
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   great
                   Answerableness
                   ,
                   and
                   Correspondency
                   between
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   a
                   Believer
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   truth
                   that
                   he
                   doth
                   believe
                   .
                
                 As
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 variously
                 expressed
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   You
                   have
                   obeyed
                   from
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   form
                   of
                   Doctrine
                   delivered
                   unto
                   you
                   .
                
                 As
                 our
                 Translation
                 doth
                 not
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 in
                 so
                 few
                 words
                 to
                 express
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 emphatically
                 here
                 insinuated
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 The
                 meaning
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 begets
                 the
                 
                   form
                   ,
                   figure
                   ,
                   image
                
                 ,
                 or
                 likeness
                 of
                 it self
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 :
                 So
                 they
                 are
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 mould
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 As
                 is
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 The
                 principle
                 of
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 are
                 as
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Parent
                 ,
                 compleatly
                 resembling
                 and
                 representing
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 Grace
                 is
                 a
                 
                   living
                   Word
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 figured
                 ,
                 
                   limned
                   Grace
                
                 :
                 As
                 is
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 a
                 Regenerate
                 heart
                 :
                 As
                 is
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 a
                 Believer
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 gives
                 great
                 Evidence
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 believed
                 .
                 As
                 we
                 have
                 heard
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 and
                 found
                 it
                 ;
                 such
                 a
                 soul
                 can
                 produce
                 the
                 duplicate
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 adjust
                 all
                 things
                 thereby
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   That
                   the
                   first
                   Original
                   Expression
                   of
                   Divine
                   Truth
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                   no
                   not
                   as
                   given
                   out
                   from
                   the
                   infinite
                   Abysse
                   of
                   Divine
                   Wisdom
                   and
                   Veracity
                   ,
                   but
                   it
                   is
                   first
                   hid
                   ,
                   laid
                   up
                   ,
                   and
                   expressed
                   in
                   the
                   Person
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 pattern
                 of
                 truth
                 which
                 from
                 him
                 is
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 impressed
                 on
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 Believers
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 as
                 it
                 hath
                 pleased
                 God
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 
                   treasures
                   of
                   Wisdom
                   and
                   Knowledge
                   should
                   be
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 dwell
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 have
                 their
                 principal
                 residence
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 So
                 the
                 whole
                 Word
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 Revelation
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Truth
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 expression
                 of
                 his
                 Image
                 and
                 likeness
                 to
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Thus
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 
                   learn
                   the
                   Truth
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   in
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 21.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 
                   in
                   Jesus
                   originally
                
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 
                 really
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 him
                 it
                 is
                 communicated
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 thereby
                 taught
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 learn
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 thereby
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 proceeds
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   are
                   renued
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   our
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   put
                   on
                   the
                   new
                   man
                   which
                   after
                   God
                   is
                   created
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   true
                   Holiness
                   ,
                
                 ver
                 .
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 the
                 Truth
                 is
                 in
                 Jesus
                 ;
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ;
                 this
                 Word
                 learned
                 ,
                 and
                 believed
                 ,
                 becomes
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 every
                 way
                 answering
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 his
                 Image
                 from
                 whom
                 this
                 
                   transforming
                   Truth
                
                 did
                 thus
                 proceed
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 carried
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 yet
                 higher
                 ,
                 namely
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 himself
                 whose
                 Image
                 Christ
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 Believers
                 his
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   We
                   all
                   with
                   open
                   face
                   beholding
                   as
                   in
                   a
                   glass
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   are
                   changed
                   into
                   the
                   same
                   Image
                   ,
                   from
                   glory
                   to
                   glory
                   by
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 whereunto
                 add
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   God
                   who
                   commanded
                   light
                   to
                   shine
                   out
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                   hath
                   shined
                   into
                   our
                   hearts
                   to
                   give
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 The
                 first
                 pattern
                 or
                 example
                 of
                 all
                 Truth
                 and
                 Holiness
                 is
                 God
                 himself
                 :
                 hereof
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Image
                 .
                 ver
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   brightness
                   of
                   his
                   glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   express
                   Image
                   of
                   his
                   person
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Image
                   of
                   the
                   invisible
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 1.
                 15.
                 
                 Hence
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 
                   face
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 being
                 
                   his
                   Image
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Love
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 Truth
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 are
                 represented
                 and
                 made
                 conspicuous
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 behold
                 it
                 
                   in
                   his
                   face
                
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 open
                 and
                 illustrious
                 manifestation
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 do
                 we
                 behold
                 this
                 glory
                 ?
                 in
                 a
                 Glass
                 (
                 
                   as
                   in
                   a
                   glass
                
                 )
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 the
                 Image
                 and
                 likeness
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Image
                   of
                   God
                
                 reflected
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 communicated
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 have
                 we
                 traced
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 Son
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 transfused
                 into
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 Father
                 it
                 is
                 Essentially
                 ;
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 
                   originally
                   and
                   exemplarily
                
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 transcript
                 or
                 Copy
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 it
                 abide
                 there
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 
                   shines
                   into
                   our
                   hearts
                
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 4
                 6.
                 
                 He
                 irradiates
                 our
                 minds
                 with
                 a
                 saving
                 light
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 apprehension
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 thence
                 ensues
                 ?
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 believer
                 is
                 
                   changed
                   into
                   the
                   same
                   Image
                
                 by
                 the
                 effectual
                 working
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 18.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 likeness
                 of
                 Christ
                 implanted
                 on
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 is
                 
                 impressed
                 on
                 the
                 soul
                 it self
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 is
                 renewed
                 into
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 it
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 created
                 .
                 This
                 brings
                 all
                 into
                 a
                 perfect
                 Harmony
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 where
                 Gospel
                 Truth
                 is
                 effectually
                 received
                 ,
                 and
                 experienced
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 only
                 a
                 consonancy
                 meerly
                 between
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 but
                 between
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 Christ
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 God
                 by
                 Christ.
                 And
                 this
                 gives
                 assured
                 establishment
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 it
                 doth
                 believe
                 .
                 Divine
                 Truth
                 so
                 conveyed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 firm
                 ,
                 stable
                 ,
                 and
                 immoveable
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 can
                 say
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   which
                   we
                   have
                   heard
                   ,
                   that
                   which
                   we
                   have
                   seen
                   with
                   our
                   eyes
                   ,
                   which
                   we
                   have
                   looked
                   upon
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   hands
                   have
                   handled
                   of
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                
                 we
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 a
                 Believer
                 is
                 a
                 Testimony
                 to
                 the
                 certainty
                 of
                 truth
                 in
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 much
                 beyond
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 saith
                 .
                 Words
                 may
                 be
                 pretended
                 ;
                 Real
                 effects
                 have
                 their
                 Testimony
                 inseparably
                 annexed
                 unto
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Hence
                 it
                 appears
                 that
                 
                   there
                   must
                   needs
                   be
                   great
                   Assurance
                   of
                   those
                   Truths
                   which
                   are
                   thus
                   received
                   ,
                   and
                   believed
                   .
                
                 For
                 hereby
                 are
                 
                   the
                   senses
                   exercised
                   to
                   discern
                   good
                   and
                   evil
                   .
                
                 Heb.
                 15.
                 14.
                 
                 Where
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 of
                 Truth
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Good
                 and
                 Evil
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 Doctrines
                 ,
                 from
                 an
                 inward
                 experience
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 
                   so
                   good
                
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 thence
                 an
                 Aversation
                 unto
                 the
                 contrary
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 obtained
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 an
                 habit
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 habitual
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 strength
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 stedfasiness
                 ,
                 and
                 Assurance
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 teaching
                 of
                 the
                 Unction
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 deceive
                 .
                 Hence
                 many
                 of
                 old
                 and
                 of
                 late
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 dispute
                 ,
                 could
                 yet
                 dye
                 for
                 the
                 truth
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 came
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 about
                 to
                 prove
                 by
                 
                   Sophistical
                   reasonings
                
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 as
                 motion
                 ;
                 had
                 only
                 this
                 return
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 either
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 answer
                 his
                 cavilling
                 ,
                 or
                 unwilling
                 to
                 put
                 himself
                 to
                 trouble
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   arose
                   and
                   walking
                   up
                   and
                   down
                
                 gave
                 him
                 a
                 real
                 confutation
                 of
                 his
                 Sophystrie
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 so
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ;
                 when
                 a
                 soul
                 hath
                 a
                 real
                 experience
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Vertue
                 and
                 Efficacy
                 of
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 Justification
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 by
                 believing
                 ;
                 let
                 men
                 or
                 Devils
                 ,
                 or
                 Angels
                 from
                 Heaven
                 oppose
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 cannot
                 answer
                 their
                 Sophisms
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 can
                 
                   rise
                   up
                   and
                   walk
                
                 :
                 he
                 can
                 with
                 all
                 holy
                 confidence
                 and
                 Assurance
                 oppose
                 his
                 own
                 satisfying
                 
                 experience
                 unto
                 all
                 their
                 arguings
                 and
                 suggestions
                 .
                 A
                 man
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 disputed
                 out
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 sees
                 and
                 feels
                 .
                 And
                 a
                 Believer
                 will
                 abide
                 as
                 firmly
                 by
                 his
                 spiritual
                 sense
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 man
                 can
                 by
                 his
                 natural
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 that
                 Prayer
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   That
                   your
                   hearts
                   might
                   be
                   comforted
                   ,
                   being
                   knit
                   together
                   in
                   love
                   ,
                   unto
                   all
                   riches
                   of
                   the
                   full
                   Assurance
                   of
                   understanding
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   acknowledgement
                   of
                   the
                   mysterie
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   and
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 Understanding
                 in
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 they
                 had
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 prayes
                 that
                 by
                 a
                 farther
                 experience
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Assurance
                   of
                   understanding
                
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 property
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 it self
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 
                   certain
                   or
                   assured
                
                 is
                 the
                 property
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 experience
                 doth
                 so
                 unite
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 such
                 a
                 Truth
                 is
                 most
                 certain
                 ,
                 whereas
                 certainty
                 is
                 indeed
                 the
                 property
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 or
                 their
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 known
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 an
                 assured
                 knowledge
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Experience
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 
                   the
                   Assurance
                   of
                   Understanding
                
                 here
                 mentioned
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 further
                 prayes
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Riches
                   of
                   this
                   Assurance
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 an
                 abundant
                 plentiful
                 Assurance
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   the
                   acknowledgement
                   of
                   the
                   Mysterie
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 owning
                 it
                 from
                 a
                 sense
                 and
                 experience
                 of
                 its
                 excellency
                 and
                 worth
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 all
                 Gospel
                 Truths
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 fitted
                 and
                 suited
                 to
                 be
                 experienced
                 by
                 a
                 believing
                 soul.
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 them
                 so
                 sublime
                 and
                 high
                 ,
                 nothing
                 so
                 mysterious
                 ,
                 nothing
                 so
                 seemingly
                 low
                 and
                 outwardly
                 contemptible
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 hath
                 experience
                 of
                 an
                 Excellency
                 ,
                 Reality
                 ,
                 Power
                 and
                 Efficacy
                 in
                 it
                 all
                 .
                 For
                 instance
                 ;
                 look
                 on
                 that
                 which
                 concerns
                 the
                 Order
                 and
                 Worship
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 :
                 This
                 seems
                 to
                 many
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 meer
                 
                   external
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 whereof
                 a
                 soul
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 inward
                 sense
                 or
                 relish
                 .
                 Notions
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 endless
                 contentions
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 more
                 ?
                 why
                 let
                 a
                 gracious
                 soul
                 in
                 simplicity
                 and
                 sincerity
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 give
                 up
                 himself
                 to
                 walk
                 with
                 Christ
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Appointment
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 quickly
                 find
                 such
                 a
                 
                   taste
                   and
                   relish
                
                 in
                 the
                 fellowship
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Christ
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 up
                 to
                 such
                 
                   Riches
                   of
                   Assurance
                
                 in
                 the
                 Understanding
                 
                 and
                 Acknowledgement
                 of
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 others
                 by
                 their
                 disputing
                 can
                 never
                 attain
                 unto
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 so
                 High
                 ,
                 Glorious
                 ,
                 and
                 Mysterious
                 as
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 the
                 
                   ever
                   blessed
                   Trinity
                
                 ?
                 Some
                 
                   wise
                   men
                
                 have
                 thought
                 meet
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 veiled
                 from
                 ordinary
                 Christians
                 :
                 And
                 some
                 have
                 delivered
                 it
                 in
                 such
                 terms
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 understand
                 nothing
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 take
                 a
                 Believer
                 who
                 hath
                 tasted
                 how
                 
                   gracious
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Eternal
                   Love
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Undertaking
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Mediation
                 and
                 Redemption
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Almighty
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 creating
                 Grace
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 had
                 an
                 experience
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 more
                 firm
                 confidence
                 adhere
                 to
                 this
                 mysterious
                 Truth
                 ,
                 being
                 lead
                 into
                 it
                 and
                 confirmed
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   some
                   few
                   plain
                   Testimonies
                
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 than
                 a
                 thousand
                 Disputers
                 shall
                 do
                 ,
                 who
                 only
                 have
                 the
                 notion
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 minds
                 .
                 Let
                 a
                 
                   real
                   Tryal
                
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 appear
                 .
                 Few
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 sacrifice
                 their
                 lives
                 on
                 bare
                 speculations
                 .
                 Experience
                 will
                 give
                 Assurance
                 and
                 Stability
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 have
                 thus
                 cleared
                 the
                 credit
                 of
                 the
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 improved
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 on
                 these
                 grounds
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 certainty
                 in
                 those
                 Truths
                 ,
                 whereof
                 Believers
                 
                   have
                   experience
                
                 .
                 Where
                 they
                 communicate
                 their
                 power
                 unto
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 they
                 give
                 an
                 unquestionable
                 Assurance
                 of
                 their
                 Truths
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 realized
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 all
                 disputes
                 about
                 it
                 are
                 put
                 to
                 silence
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 things
                 being
                 so
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 enquire
                 into
                 the
                 
                   faith
                   and
                   experience
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   on
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 as
                 to
                 what
                 they
                 know
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 proposed
                 unto
                 confirmation
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Let
                 us
                 go
                 to
                 some
                 poor
                 soul
                 that
                 now
                 walks
                 comfortably
                 under
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 Gods
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Did
                   we
                   not
                   know
                   you
                   some
                   while
                   since
                   to
                   be
                   full
                   of
                   sadness
                   ,
                   and
                   great
                   anxiety
                   of
                   Spirit
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   sorrowful
                   almost
                   to
                   death
                   and
                   bitter
                   in
                   soul
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 was
                 indeed
                 ;
                 my
                 dayes
                 were
                 consumed
                 with
                 mourning
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 life
                 with
                 sorrow
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 walked
                 heavily
                 in
                 fear
                 and
                 bitterness
                 of
                 Spirit
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Why
                   what
                   ayled
                   you
                   ,
                   what
                   was
                   the
                   matter
                   with
                   you
                   ;
                   seeing
                   as
                   to
                   the
                   outward
                   things
                   you
                   were
                   in
                   Peace
                   ?
                
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 had
                 laid
                 hold
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 slain
                 me
                 ;
                 I
                 found
                 my self
                 thereby
                 a
                 woful
                 sinner
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 overwhelmed
                 with
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Every
                 moment
                 I
                 expected
                 
                   Tribulation
                   and
                   wrath
                
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 
                   My
                   sore
                   ran
                   in
                   the
                   night
                   and
                   ceased
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   soul
                   refused
                   comfort
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   How
                   is
                   it
                   then
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   thus
                   delivered
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   no
                   more
                   sad
                   ?
                   Where
                   have
                   you
                   found
                   ease
                   and
                   peace
                   ?
                   have
                   you
                   been
                   by
                   any
                   means
                   delivered
                   ,
                   or
                   did
                   your
                   trouble
                   wear
                   off
                   ,
                   and
                   depart
                   of
                   its
                   own
                   accord
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Alas
                 no
                 ;
                 had
                 I
                 not
                 met
                 with
                 an
                 effectual
                 Remedy
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 sunk
                 and
                 everlastingly
                 perished
                 .
              
               
                 
                   What
                   course
                   did
                   you
                   take
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 went
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 against
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 found
                 him
                 better
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 than
                 I
                 could
                 expect
                 ,
                 or
                 ever
                 should
                 have
                 believed
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 he
                 overpowred
                 my
                 heart
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 .
                 Instead
                 of
                 wrath
                 which
                 I
                 feared
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 justly
                 because
                 I
                 had
                 deserved
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 unto
                 me
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   fury
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   me
                
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 believe
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 thought
                 it
                 impossible
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 mercy
                 and
                 pardon
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 as
                 I.
                 But
                 he
                 still
                 supported
                 me
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 by
                 one
                 means
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 by
                 another
                 :
                 untill
                 taking
                 my
                 soul
                 near
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 caused
                 me
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 my
                 unbelieving
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 vileness
                 of
                 the
                 hard
                 thoughts
                 I
                 had
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 indeed
                 there
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 
                   forgiveness
                   and
                   plenteous
                   Redemption
                
                 .
                 This
                 hath
                 taken
                 away
                 all
                 my
                 sorrows
                 ,
                 and
                 given
                 me
                 quietness
                 with
                 Rest
                 and
                 Assurance
                 .
              
               
                 
                   But
                   are
                   you
                   sure
                   now
                   that
                   this
                   is
                   so
                   ,
                   may
                   you
                   not
                   possibly
                   be
                   deceived
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Sayes
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 suspicion
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 matter
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ought
                 doth
                 arise
                 to
                 that
                 purpose
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 quickly
                 overcome
                 .
              
               
                 
                   But
                   how
                   are
                   you
                   confirmed
                   in
                   this
                   perswasion
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 That
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 sweetness
                 and
                 rest
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 experience
                 of
                 ,
                 that
                 influence
                 it
                 hath
                 upon
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 Obligation
                 I
                 find
                 laid
                 upon
                 me
                 by
                 it
                 unto
                 all
                 thankful
                 Obedience
                 ;
                 that
                 Relief
                 ,
                 Supportment
                 and
                 Consolation
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 afforded
                 me
                 in
                 tryals
                 and
                 troubles
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 and
                 Entrances
                 of
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 all
                 answering
                 
                 what
                 is
                 declared
                 concerning
                 these
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 deceived
                 .
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 indeed
                 receive
                 it
                 ,
                 untill
                 God
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 speak
                 it
                 unto
                 me
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 let
                 Satan
                 do
                 his
                 utmost
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 never
                 cease
                 to
                 bear
                 this
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   mercy
                   and
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 How
                 many
                 thousands
                 may
                 we
                 find
                 of
                 these
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 had
                 such
                 a
                 seal
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 cannot
                 only
                 securely
                 lay
                 down
                 their
                 lives
                 in
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 called
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 do
                 chearfully
                 and
                 triumphantly
                 venture
                 their
                 Eternal
                 Concernments
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 rise
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 peace
                 ,
                 serenity
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 strong
                 consolation
                 which
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 principles
                 before
                 laid
                 down
                 ,
                 an
                 evidence
                 great
                 and
                 important
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 manifested
                 this
                 Truth
                 unto
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 thus
                 copied
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 and
                 exemplified
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 to
                 leave
                 them
                 under
                 any
                 possibility
                 of
                 being
                 deceived
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Institution
                   of
                   Religious
                   Worship
                   an
                   Evidence
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   Institution
                   of
                   Religious
                   Worship
                   and
                   Honor
                   therein
                   to
                   be
                   rendred
                   unto
                   him
                   by
                   sinners
                   ,
                   is
                   another
                   Evidence
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgivenesswith
                   him
                   .
                
                 I
                 have
                 instanced
                 before
                 in
                 one
                 particular
                 of
                 Worship
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 of
                 Sacrifices
                 .
                 But
                 therein
                 we
                 intended
                 only
                 their
                 particular
                 nature
                 and
                 signification
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 declared
                 and
                 manifested
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 Attonement
                 ,
                 and
                 Pardon
                 .
                 That
                 now
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 how
                 all
                 the
                 Worship
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 appointed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Honour
                 which
                 we
                 give
                 unto
                 his
                 holy
                 Majesty
                 thereby
                 ,
                 is
                 built
                 upon
                 the
                 same
                 foundation
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 a
                 supposition
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 appointed
                 to
                 teach
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 ascertain
                 us
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 briefly
                 be
                 declared
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   That
                   the
                   General
                   End
                   of
                   all
                   Divine
                   and
                   Religious
                   Worship
                   is
                   to
                   raise
                   unto
                   God
                   a
                   Revenue
                   of
                   glory
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   creation
                   .
                
                 Such
                 is
                 Gods
                 infinite
                 natural
                 self-sufficiency
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 stands
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 
                 no
                 such
                 Glory
                 and
                 Honour
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 in
                 himself
                 no
                 less
                 infinitely
                 and
                 eternally
                 glorious
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 all
                 or
                 any
                 thing
                 whatever
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 encompassed
                 about
                 with
                 the
                 praises
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 is
                 his
                 absolute
                 perfection
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 Honor
                 given
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 Admiration
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 Ascription
                 of
                 Glory
                 and
                 praise
                 ,
                 can
                 add
                 any
                 thing
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Hence
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   goodness
                   extends
                   not
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 so
                 reach
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 add
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 profit
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 may
                 do
                 the
                 
                   Saints
                   that
                   are
                   on
                   the
                   Earth
                   .
                
                 As
                 he
                 in
                 Job
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 22.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   Can
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   profitable
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   wise
                   may
                   be
                   profitable
                   unto
                   himself
                   ?
                   Is
                   it
                   any
                   pleasure
                   to
                   the
                   Almighty
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   righteous
                   ,
                   or
                   is
                   it
                   gain
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   thou
                   makest
                   thy
                   wayes
                   perfect
                   ?
                
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   well
                   pleasing
                
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 righteous
                 and
                 upright
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 
                   do
                   him
                   not
                   a
                   pleasure
                
                 therein
                 ,
                 as
                 though
                 he
                 stood
                 in
                 
                   need
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 were
                 advantage
                 or
                 gain
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 35.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   be
                   Righteous
                   what
                   givest
                   thou
                   him
                   ,
                   or
                   what
                   receiveth
                   he
                   at
                   thine
                   hand
                   ?
                
                 And
                 the
                 Reason
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 the
                 Apostle
                 gives
                 us
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 36.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   through
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   him
                   are
                   all
                   things
                   .
                
                 Being
                 the
                 first
                 Soveraign
                 Cause
                 ,
                 and
                 last
                 absolute
                 End
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 every
                 way
                 perfect
                 and
                 self-sufficient
                 ,
                 nothing
                 can
                 be
                 added
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Or
                 as
                 the
                 same
                 Apostle
                 speaks
                 ;
                 
                   God
                   that
                   made
                   the
                   world
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   therein
                   ,
                   seeing
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   Lord
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   worshipped
                   with
                   mens
                   hands
                   ,
                   as
                   though
                   he
                   needed
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   seeing
                   he
                   giveth
                   unto
                   all
                   life
                   and
                   breath
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 17.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 As
                 he
                 himself
                 pleads
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 50.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Wherefore
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   the
                   Revenue
                   of
                   Glory
                   that
                   God
                   will
                   receive
                   by
                   his
                   Worship
                   ,
                   depends
                   meerly
                   on
                   his
                   own
                   voluntary
                   Choice
                   and
                   Appointment
                   .
                
                 All
                 Worship
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 depends
                 now
                 on
                 the
                 Soveraign
                 Will
                 and
                 pleasure
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   natural
                   Worship
                
                 due
                 from
                 rational
                 creatures
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 their
                 Creation
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 indispensably
                 and
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 at
                 first
                 .
                 The
                 very
                 Being
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 order
                 of
                 things
                 required
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 Supposing
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 such
                 creatures
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 
                   Moral
                   Obedience
                
                 was
                 due
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 believed
                 in
                 ,
                 trusted
                 and
                 obeyed
                 
                 as
                 the
                 First
                 Cause
                 ,
                 Last
                 End
                 ,
                 and
                 Soveraign
                 Lord
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 laying
                 the
                 sinner
                 absolutely
                 under
                 the
                 Curse
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 utterly
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 this
                 Order
                 of
                 things
                 .
                 Man
                 was
                 now
                 to
                 have
                 perished
                 immediately
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 be
                 put
                 unto
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 this
                 Obedience
                 .
                 But
                 here
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Soveraign
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 an
                 Interposition
                 was
                 made
                 between
                 sin
                 and
                 the
                 sentence
                 ;
                 and
                 man
                 was
                 respited
                 from
                 destruction
                 .
                 All
                 Worship
                 following
                 hereon
                 ,
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 before
                 natural
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 creation
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 resolved
                 into
                 an
                 Arbitrary
                 Act
                 of
                 Gods
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 unto
                 this
                 end
                 is
                 all
                 worship
                 designed
                 ,
                 namely
                 to
                 
                   give
                   glory
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 For
                 as
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   will
                   be
                   sanctified
                   in
                   all
                   that
                   draw
                   nigh
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 worship
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   that
                   therein
                   he
                   will
                   be
                   glorified
                   ,
                
                 Lev.
                 10.
                 3.
                 and
                 
                   that
                   he
                   that
                   offereth
                   him
                   praise
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 performeth
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 and
                 Service
                 ,
                 
                   Glorifieth
                   him
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 50.
                 23.
                 
                 So
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 declareth
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 end
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 he
                 hath
                 all
                 his
                 glory
                 even
                 from
                 the
                 inanimate
                 Creation
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Consider
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   not
                   prescribed
                   any
                   Worship
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   unto
                   the
                   Angels
                   that
                   sinned
                   .
                
                 They
                 are
                 indeed
                 under
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 useth
                 them
                 as
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 his
                 holy
                 Providence
                 .
                 Bounds
                 he
                 prescribes
                 unto
                 them
                 by
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 keeps
                 them
                 in
                 dread
                 of
                 the
                 full
                 execution
                 of
                 his
                 Wrath.
                 But
                 he
                 requires
                 not
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 believe
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 
                   They
                   believe
                
                 indeed
                 
                   and
                   tremble
                
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 a
                 natural
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 Being
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Providence
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 inseparable
                 from
                 
                   their
                   Natures
                
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 an
                 expectation
                 from
                 thence
                 of
                 that
                 punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 vengeance
                 which
                 is
                 due
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 inseparable
                 from
                 them
                 
                   as
                   sinners
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 their
                 faith
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 
                   believe
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 put
                 their
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 resign
                 up
                 themselves
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 God
                 requires
                 it
                 not
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 is
                 the
                 case
                 with
                 them
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 Delight
                 ,
                 all
                 
                   inward
                   Affections
                
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 proper
                 Worship
                 of
                 God.
                 These
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 doth
                 God
                 any
                 longer
                 require
                 them
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 eternally
                 cast
                 them
                 off
                 in
                 their
                 first
                 sin
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 these
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 required
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 there
                 
                   no
                   outward
                
                 
                 Worship
                 can
                 be
                 prescribed
                 or
                 appointed
                 .
                 For
                 
                   External
                   instituted
                   Worship
                
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 way
                 that
                 God
                 assigns
                 ,
                 and
                 chooseth
                 to
                 express
                 and
                 exercise
                 the
                 
                   inward
                   Affections
                
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 towards
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 rules
                 the
                 fallen
                 Angels
                 
                   per
                   nutum
                   Providentiae
                
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   per
                   verbum
                   praecepti
                
                 .
                 Now
                 as
                 God
                 dealt
                 with
                 the
                 Angels
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 would
                 he
                 have
                 dealt
                 with
                 mankind
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 left
                 them
                 all
                 under
                 the
                 Curse
                 without
                 remedy
                 or
                 hope
                 of
                 relief
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 doth
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 eternally
                 satisfies
                 himself
                 in
                 that
                 Revenue
                 of
                 Glory
                 which
                 ariseth
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 their
                 punishment
                 ;
                 so
                 also
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 done
                 with
                 these
                 ,
                 had
                 there
                 been
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 required
                 them
                 to
                 fear
                 ,
                 love
                 or
                 obey
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 appointed
                 unto
                 them
                 any
                 
                   way
                   of
                   Worship
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 to
                 express
                 such
                 affections
                 towards
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 should
                 he
                 have
                 done
                 it
                 ?
                 What
                 Righteousness
                 would
                 admit
                 ,
                 that
                 Service
                 Duty
                 and
                 Obedience
                 should
                 be
                 prescribed
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 any
                 Expectation
                 or
                 hope
                 of
                 Acceptance
                 or
                 Reward
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 first
                 notion
                 which
                 God
                 requires
                 in
                 us
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 .
                 
                   For
                   he
                   that
                   cometh
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   must
                   believe
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   Rewarder
                   of
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   diligently
                   seek
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 6.
                 which
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 should
                 he
                 appoint
                 a
                 
                   voluntary
                   Worship
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 propose
                 a
                 Reward
                 to
                 the
                 Worshippers
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 prescription
                 
                   of
                   a
                   Worship
                   unto
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 doth
                 fully
                 declare
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 manifests
                 thereby
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 willing
                 to
                 receive
                 a
                 new
                 
                   Revenue
                   of
                   Glory
                
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 proved
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Worship
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 design
                 of
                 Accepting
                 and
                 Rewarding
                 to
                 his
                 creatures
                 .
                 For
                 do
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 beholding
                 unto
                 them
                 ?
                 That
                 he
                 will
                 take
                 and
                 admit
                 of
                 their
                 voluntary
                 reasonable
                 service
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Will
                 and
                 Command
                 ,
                 without
                 giving
                 them
                 a
                 Reward
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 on
                 one
                 as
                 their
                 Obedience
                 holds
                 no
                 proportion
                 unto
                 ?
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 would
                 become
                 his
                 infinite
                 sell
                 sufficiency
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Bounty
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Wife
                 of
                 Manoah
                 well
                 pleads
                 ,
                 Judg.
                 13.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   If
                   saith
                   she
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   were
                   pleased
                   to
                   kill
                   us
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   not
                   have
                   received
                   a
                   meat
                   offering
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   burnt-ofsering
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   at
                   our
                   hands
                
                 .
                 His
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 Worship
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 infallible
                 Demonstration
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 execute
                 against
                 us
                 the
                 severity
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 curse
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 clearly
                 evidenced
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Record
                 of
                 solemn
                 
                   instituted
                   Worship
                
                 performed
                 by
                 sinners
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 4
                 4.
                 
                 
                   God
                   had
                   Respect
                   unto
                
                 Abel
                 
                   and
                   his
                   Offering
                
                 .
                 Some
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 gave
                 a
                 visible
                 pledge
                 of
                 his
                 acceptance
                 of
                 Abel
                 and
                 his
                 Offering
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 it
                 was
                 by
                 fire
                 from
                 Heaven
                 .
                 For
                 how
                 else
                 should
                 Cain
                 so
                 instantly
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Brother
                 and
                 his
                 Offering
                 were
                 accepted
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 and
                 his
                 were
                 refused
                 ?
                 However
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 what
                 Testimony
                 God
                 gave
                 of
                 the
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 his
                 Offering
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 he
                 gave
                 concerning
                 his
                 Person
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 he
                 had
                 respect
                 unto
                 Abel
                 and
                 then
                 to
                 his
                 Offering
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 saith
                 ,
                 that
                 hereby
                 he
                 obtained
                 
                   witness
                   that
                   he
                   was
                   Righteous
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 4.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Witness
                 or
                 Testimony
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 neither
                 be
                 Righteous
                 nor
                 accepted
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 sinner
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 declared
                 by
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 we
                 also
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 any
                 Testimony
                 of
                 Gods
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 should
                 employ
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 end
                 .
                 Hath
                 God
                 enlarged
                 our
                 hearts
                 in
                 prayer
                 ?
                 hath
                 he
                 given
                 us
                 an
                 Answer
                 unto
                 any
                 of
                 our
                 supplications
                 ;
                 hath
                 he
                 refreshed
                 our
                 hearts
                 in
                 the
                 preaching
                 and
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 Ordinance
                 ?
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 particular
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 our
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 hath
                 been
                 .
                 Our
                 doing
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 why
                 we
                 lose
                 our
                 experiences
                 .
                 They
                 lye
                 scattered
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 ,
                 separated
                 from
                 their
                 proper
                 root
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 are
                 easily
                 lost
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 should
                 first
                 improve
                 such
                 particular
                 experiences
                 in
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   pardoned
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 and
                 accepted
                 our
                 persons
                 thereon
                 ;
                 for
                 without
                 that
                 ,
                 none
                 of
                 our
                 Worship
                 or
                 Service
                 would
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 accepted
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Hereby
                 God
                 lets
                 us
                 know
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   deals
                   with
                   us
                   upon
                   new
                   Terms
                   ,
                
                 so
                 that
                 
                   notwithstanding
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   enjoy
                   his
                   love
                   and
                   favour
                   .
                
                 For
                 this
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 engagement
                 of
                 his
                 Truth
                 and
                 Veracity
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 cannot
                 deceive
                 us
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 by
                 this
                 command
                 of
                 his
                 for
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 deceived
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 
                 not
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 gives
                 us
                 encouragement
                 to
                 expect
                 ,
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 finding
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 without
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 obtained
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 God
                 declares
                 by
                 his
                 Institution
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 command
                 for
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 shall
                 indispensably
                 hinder
                 those
                 who
                 give-up
                 themselves
                 unto
                 the
                 Obedience
                 of
                 Gods
                 commands
                 ,
                 from
                 enjoying
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 For
                 
                   matter
                   of
                   fact
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 known
                 and
                 confessed
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 appointed
                 a
                 Worship
                 for
                 sinners
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 Institutions
                 of
                 the
                 Old
                 and
                 New
                 Testament
                 bear
                 witness
                 hereunto
                 .
                 God
                 was
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 men
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 either
                 they
                 neglect
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 would
                 be
                 intermixing
                 their
                 own
                 Imaginations
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 man
                 conceive
                 or
                 invent
                 that
                 may
                 have
                 any
                 influence
                 into
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 Believers
                 of
                 their
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 need
                 of
                 their
                 Testimony
                 to
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 Goodness
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 These
                 things
                 he
                 hath
                 taken
                 upon
                 himself
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 fixed
                 on
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 upon
                 our
                 first
                 Invitation
                 unto
                 Religious
                 Worship
                 ;
                 namely
                 that
                 God
                 intends
                 a
                 new
                 Revenue
                 of
                 Glory
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 declares
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 taking
                 away
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 we
                 can
                 give
                 no
                 Glory
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 our
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 only
                 by
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 
                 5.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 
                   some
                   Ordinances
                   of
                   Worship
                   appointed
                   for
                   this
                   very
                   end
                   and
                   purpose
                   to
                   confirm
                   unto
                   us
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
                 Especially
                 in
                 that
                 Worship
                 which
                 is
                 instituted
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 under
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 instance
                 in
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Ordinance
                   of
                   Baptism
                
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 accompanied
                 with
                 the
                 dawning
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 
                   John
                   Baptist
                
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 expresly
                 declared
                 in
                 his
                 Sermons
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 instituted
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 declare
                 the
                 
                   Remission
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 Mark
                 1.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 submitted
                 unto
                 
                   that
                   Ordinance
                
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 was
                 baptized
                 by
                 John
                 )
                 who
                 had
                 
                   no
                   sin
                
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 belonged
                 
                 unto
                 the
                 Obedience
                 which
                 God
                 required
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 
                   our
                   sakes
                
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 made
                 
                   under
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 He
                 was
                 to
                 observe
                 all
                 Ordinances
                 and
                 Institutions
                 of
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 not
                 for
                 any
                 need
                 he
                 had
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Person
                 of
                 the
                 especial
                 Ends
                 and
                 significations
                 of
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 yet
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 our
                 Sponsor
                 ,
                 surety
                 ,
                 and
                 Mediator
                 standing
                 in
                 our
                 stead
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 so
                 did
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 yield
                 obedience
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 
                   fulfill
                   all
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 13.
                 
                 So
                 was
                 he
                 circumcised
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 was
                 baptized
                 ,
                 both
                 which
                 had
                 respect
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 though
                 absolutely
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Person
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 he
                 was
                 free
                 from
                 no
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 any
                 Command
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 ,
                 Baptism
                 it self
                 as
                 appointed
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 
                   Ordinance
                   of
                   Worship
                
                 for
                 sinners
                 to
                 observe
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 Declaration
                 of
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God.
                 It
                 was
                 so
                 in
                 its
                 first
                 Institution
                 .
                 God
                 calls
                 a
                 man
                 in
                 a
                 marvellous
                 and
                 miraculous
                 manner
                 ;
                 gives
                 him
                 
                   a
                   Ministry
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 ;
                 commands
                 him
                 to
                 
                   Go
                   and
                   Baptize
                
                 all
                 those
                 who
                 confessing
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 professing
                 Repentance
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 Testimony
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 especial
                 nature
                 of
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 he
                 appoints
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 represent
                 the
                 certainty
                 and
                 truth
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 in
                 pardon
                 ,
                 unto
                 their
                 senses
                 by
                 a
                 
                   visible
                   pledge
                
                 .
                 He
                 lets
                 them
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 
                   take
                   away
                   their
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 their
                 spiritual
                 defilement
                 doth
                 consist
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 Water
                 takes
                 away
                 the
                 outward
                 filth
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 hereby
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 as
                 surely
                 as
                 Noah
                 and
                 his
                 Family
                 were
                 
                   saved
                   in
                   the
                   Ark
                
                 swimming
                 upon
                 the
                 waters
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 21.
                 
                 Now
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 deceit
                 must
                 needs
                 in
                 this
                 whole
                 matter
                 have
                 been
                 put
                 upon
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 infallibly
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 obtain
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 After
                 the
                 Entrance
                 of
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Ministry
                   of
                   John
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   Christ
                
                 takes
                 it
                 into
                 his
                 own
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 commands
                 the
                 observation
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 all
                 his
                 Disciples
                 .
                 I
                 dispute
                 not
                 now
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 proper
                 immediate
                 objects
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 whether
                 they
                 only
                 who
                 actually
                 can
                 make
                 profession
                 of
                 their
                 faith
                 ,
                 or
                 Believers
                 with
                 their
                 
                   infant
                   seed
                
                 .
                 For
                 my
                 part
                 ,
                 I
                 believe
                 that
                 all
                 whom
                 Christ
                 loves
                 and
                 pardons
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 pledge
                 thereof
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 sole
                 Reason
                 which
                 they
                 of
                 old
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 why
                 the
                 infants
                 of
                 Believing
                 Parents
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 
                 baptized
                 ;
                 was
                 because
                 they
                 thought
                 they
                 had
                 
                   no
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 we
                 know
                 their
                 mistake
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 treat
                 not
                 now
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 only
                 this
                 I
                 say
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 prescription
                 of
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 unto
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Intention
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 was
                 to
                 ascertain
                 unto
                 us
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 .
                 And
                 sinners
                 are
                 invited
                 to
                 a
                 participation
                 of
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 for
                 that
                 End
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 receive
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 an
                 infallible
                 pledge
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Acts
                 2.
                 38.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 very
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 declareth
                 this
                 to
                 be
                 its
                 End
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 before
                 intimated
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 another
                 engagement
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 and
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 be
                 deceived
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 
                   There
                   is
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   me
                
                 ;
                 saith
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 how
                 Lord
                 shall
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 come
                 to
                 be
                 assured
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 perpetual
                 Accusations
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Curse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 upon
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 my
                 sin
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 it
                 a
                 very
                 hard
                 matter
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 believe
                 :
                 Like
                 Gideon
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 a
                 Token
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 why
                 behold
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   thee
                   a
                   pledge
                   and
                   a
                   token
                   of
                   it
                   which
                   cannot
                   deceive
                   thee
                   .
                   When
                   the
                   world
                   of
                   old
                   had
                   been
                   overwhelmed
                   with
                   a
                   deluge
                   of
                   waters
                   by
                   reason
                   of
                   their
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   who
                   remained
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   had
                   just
                   cause
                   to
                   fear
                   that
                   the
                   same
                   Judgement
                   would
                   again
                   befall
                   them
                   or
                   their
                   posterity
                   ,
                   because
                   they
                   saw
                   there
                   was
                   like
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   same
                   cause
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   the
                   thoughts
                   and
                   imaginations
                   of
                   the
                   hearts
                   of
                   men
                   being
                   evil
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   continually
                   ;
                   to
                   secure
                   them
                   against
                   these
                   fears
                   ,
                   I
                   told
                   them
                   that
                   I
                   would
                   destroy
                   the
                   earth
                   no
                   more
                   with
                   water
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   gave
                   them
                   a
                   token
                   of
                   my
                   faithfulness
                   therein
                   ,
                   by
                   placing
                   my
                   bow
                   in
                   the
                   cloud
                   .
                   And
                   have
                   I
                   failed
                   them
                   ?
                   though
                   the
                   sin
                   and
                   wickedness
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   hath
                   been
                   since
                   that
                   day
                   unspeakably
                   great
                   ,
                   yet
                   mankind
                   is
                   not
                   drowned
                   again
                   ,
                   nor
                   ever
                   shall
                   be
                   :
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   deceive
                   their
                   expectation
                   from
                   the
                   token
                   I
                   have
                   given
                   them
                   .
                   Wherever
                   then
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   word
                   of
                   promise
                   confirmed
                   with
                   a
                   token
                   ,
                   never
                   fear
                   a
                   disappointment
                   .
                   But
                   so
                   is
                   this
                   matter
                   .
                   I
                   have
                   declared
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   give
                   you
                   assurance
                   thereof
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   ordained
                   this
                   pledge
                   and
                   sign
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   seal
                   of
                   my
                   word
                   ,
                   to
                   take
                   away
                   all
                   doubts
                   and
                   suspicion
                   of
                   your
                   being
                   deceived
                   .
                   As
                   the
                   world
                   shall
                   be
                   drowned
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   so
                   neither
                   shall
                   they
                   who
                   believe
                   ,
                   come
                   short
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Use
                 which
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 make
                 of
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 .
                 
                 It
                 is
                 Gods
                 security
                 of
                 the
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 safely
                 rest
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 same
                 is
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 that
                 other
                 Great
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Supper
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 The
                 same
                 thing
                 is
                 therein
                 confirmed
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 another
                 Sign
                 ,
                 Pledge
                 ,
                 Token
                 ,
                 or
                 Seal
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 what
                 respect
                 
                   Gospel
                   forgiveness
                
                 hath
                 unto
                 the
                 death
                 or
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 That
                 is
                 the
                 Means
                 whereby
                 for
                 us
                 it
                 is
                 procured
                 ,
                 the
                 Way
                 whereby
                 it
                 comes
                 forth
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 afterwards
                 must
                 be
                 more
                 distinctly
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 This
                 Ordinance
                 therefore
                 designed
                 and
                 appointed
                 on
                 purpose
                 for
                 the
                 Representation
                 and
                 calling
                 to
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 the
                 
                   death
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 communication
                 of
                 the
                 benefits
                 thereof
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 ;
                 doth
                 principally
                 intend
                 our
                 faith
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 Truth
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Institution
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 besides
                 the
                 General
                 End
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 been
                 sufficient
                 for
                 our
                 security
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 moreover
                 added
                 an
                 especial
                 mention
                 of
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 for
                 so
                 speaks
                 our
                 Saviour
                 in
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 26.
                 28.
                 
                 
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   New
                   Testament
                   which
                   is
                   shed
                   for
                   many
                   for
                   the
                   Remission
                   of
                   sins
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 The
                 end
                 for
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 appointed
                 the
                 Observance
                 of
                 this
                 Duty
                 and
                 Service
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 testifie
                 thereby
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 my
                 Blood
                 ,
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Attonement
                 made
                 thereby
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 purchased
                 for
                 you
                 the
                 Remission
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 more
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 add
                 unto
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 respected
                 in
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 will
                 again
                 occurr
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 
                   Church
                   Order
                
                 ,
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 and
                 Worship
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 Church
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 company
                 of
                 sinners
                 gathered
                 together
                 according
                 unto
                 Gods
                 appointment
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 glory
                 and
                 praise
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 pardoning
                 Grace
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 yield
                 him
                 that
                 obedience
                 which
                 he
                 requires
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 having
                 so
                 dealt
                 with
                 us
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 nature
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 a
                 Church
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 understandeth
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 useth
                 it
                 not
                 unto
                 that
                 End
                 ,
                 doth
                 but
                 abuse
                 that
                 great
                 Institution
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 abuse
                 the
                 world
                 is
                 
                 full
                 of
                 .
                 Some
                 endeavour
                 to
                 make
                 their
                 own
                 secular
                 Advantages
                 by
                 the
                 pretence
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
                 Some
                 discharge
                 the
                 duty
                 required
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 with
                 some
                 secret
                 hopes
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 their
                 Righteousness
                 before
                 God.
                 Some
                 answer
                 only
                 their
                 Light
                 and
                 Convictions
                 in
                 an
                 empty
                 profession
                 .
                 This
                 alone
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 end
                 ,
                 the
                 true
                 Use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 We
                 assemble
                 our selves
                 to
                 learn
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 through
                 Christ
                 ;
                 to
                 pray
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 To
                 bless
                 and
                 praise
                 God
                 for
                 our
                 Interest
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 engage
                 our selves
                 unto
                 that
                 Obedience
                 which
                 he
                 requires
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 were
                 this
                 constantly
                 upon
                 our
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 our
                 designs
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 more
                 established
                 in
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 than
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 us
                 are
                 .
              
               
                 
                 4.
                 
                 One
                 particular
                 instance
                 more
                 of
                 this
                 nature
                 shall
                 conclude
                 this
                 Evidence
                 :
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   commanded
                   us
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 hath
                 
                   taught
                   us
                   to
                   pray
                   for
                   the
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 which
                 gives
                 us
                 unquestionable
                 security
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 attained
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 clearing
                 whereof
                 observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 unto
                 the
                 duty
                 that
                 he
                 required
                 at
                 our
                 hands
                 ,
                 hath
                 taught
                 and
                 instructed
                 us
                 
                   to
                   pray
                   for
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Petitions
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 left
                 on
                 record
                 for
                 our
                 use
                 and
                 imitation
                 in
                 that
                 summary
                 of
                 all
                 prayer
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Forgive
                   us
                   our
                   debts
                
                 ,
                 our
                 trespasses
                 ,
                 our
                 sins
                 :
                 Some
                 contend
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 
                   form
                   of
                   prayer
                
                 to
                 be
                 used
                 in
                 the
                 
                   prescript
                   limited
                   words
                
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 All
                 grant
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Rule
                 for
                 prayer
                 ,
                 comprizing
                 the
                 heads
                 of
                 all
                 necessary
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 obliging
                 us
                 to
                 make
                 supplications
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 then
                 upon
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 God
                 revealed
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 bound
                 in
                 duty
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 pardon
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 On
                 this
                 supposition
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 highest
                 Blasphemy
                 and
                 reproach
                 of
                 God
                 imaginable
                 ,
                 to
                 conceive
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 Indeed
                 if
                 we
                 should
                 go
                 upon
                 our
                 own
                 heads
                 without
                 his
                 Warranty
                 and
                 Authority
                 ,
                 to
                 ask
                 any
                 thing
                 at
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 well
                 expect
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 disappointment
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 should
                 encourage
                 us
                 unto
                 any
                 such
                 
                 boldness
                 ?
                 But
                 now
                 when
                 God
                 himself
                 shall
                 
                   command
                   us
                   to
                   come
                
                 ,
                 and
                 ask
                 any
                 thing
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 making
                 it
                 thereby
                 our
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 neglect
                 thereof
                 should
                 be
                 our
                 great
                 sin
                 and
                 Rebellion
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 to
                 suppose
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 thing
                 in
                 his
                 Power
                 to
                 bestow
                 on
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 his
                 Will
                 is
                 wholly
                 averse
                 from
                 so
                 doing
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 reproach
                 him
                 with
                 want
                 of
                 Truth
                 ,
                 Faithfulness
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 God.
                 For
                 what
                 sincerity
                 can
                 be
                 in
                 such
                 proceedings
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 consistent
                 with
                 any
                 
                   Divine
                   Excellency
                
                 ?
                 Could
                 it
                 have
                 any
                 other
                 end
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 deceive
                 poor
                 creatures
                 ?
                 either
                 to
                 delude
                 them
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 pray
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 command
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 involve
                 them
                 in
                 further
                 guilt
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 any
                 such
                 thoughts
                 should
                 enter
                 into
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 But
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 To
                 put
                 this
                 whole
                 matter
                 out
                 of
                 question
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   promised
                   to
                   hear
                   our
                   prayers
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 particular
                 those
                 which
                 we
                 make
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 So
                 our
                 Saviour
                 hath
                 assured
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 
                   we
                   ask
                   in
                   his
                   name
                   ,
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   done
                   for
                   us
                   .
                
                 And
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 taught
                 us
                 to
                 ask
                 this
                 very
                 thing
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 our
                 
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 
                   his
                   name
                
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 him
                 alone
                 is
                 he
                 a
                 Father
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 insist
                 on
                 particular
                 Promises
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 you
                 know
                 multiplyed
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 may
                 suffice
                 to
                 establish
                 our
                 present
                 Argument
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 Gods
                 
                   prescription
                   of
                   Religious
                   Worship
                   unto
                   sinners
                   ,
                
                 doth
                 undeniably
                 prove
                 that
                 with
                 him
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 especially
                 considering
                 that
                 the
                 principal
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Worship
                 so
                 prescribed
                 and
                 appointed
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 are
                 peculiarly
                 designed
                 to
                 confirm
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 faith
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 insist
                 upon
                 ;
                 
                   There
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   maist
                   be
                   feared
                   .
                
                 The
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 Old
                 Testament
                 ,
                 doth
                 frequently
                 express
                 not
                 that
                 gracious
                 Affection
                 
                   of
                   our
                   minds
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 distinctly
                 so
                 called
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 
                   whole
                   Worship
                
                 of
                 God
                 wherein
                 that
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 Gracious
                 Affections
                 towards
                 God
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 exercised
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 this
                 fear
                 or
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 only
                 motive
                 and
                 encouragement
                 for
                 sinners
                 to
                 engage
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 themselves
                 unto
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Without
                 
                 this
                 no
                 sinner
                 could
                 fear
                 ,
                 serve
                 ,
                 or
                 worship
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 is
                 undeniably
                 proved
                 by
                 the
                 Institution
                 of
                 this
                 Worship
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 proposed
                 unto
                 confirmation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 afterwards
                 at
                 large
                 declare
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 encourage
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 evidence
                 how
                 inexcusable
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 left
                 ,
                 who
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 do
                 through
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 their
                 lusts
                 and
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 refuse
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 pardoned
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 the
                 laying
                 open
                 of
                 the
                 certainty
                 and
                 fulness
                 of
                 the
                 evidence
                 given
                 unto
                 this
                 truth
                 ,
                 makes
                 it
                 plain
                 and
                 conspicuous
                 ,
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 men
                 perish
                 in
                 and
                 for
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Grace
                 or
                 Patience
                 in
                 God
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 through
                 any
                 defect
                 in
                 the
                 Mediation
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 mightiest
                 encouragements
                 and
                 most
                 infallible
                 Assurances
                 that
                 with
                 God
                 there
                 is
                 Forgiveness
                 ?
                 Not
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 meerly
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 obstinacy
                 ,
                 stubbornness
                 and
                 perversness
                 .
                 They
                 
                   will
                   not
                   come
                
                 unto
                 this
                 Light
                 ,
                 yea
                 they
                 hate
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 their
                 deeds
                 are
                 evil
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 not
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 life
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 meerly
                 darkness
                 ,
                 blindness
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 brings
                 men
                 to
                 destruction
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 laid
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 pretences
                 and
                 excuses
                 are
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 shame
                 of
                 mens
                 lusts
                 made
                 naked
                 by
                 the
                 full
                 confirmation
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 furnished
                 us
                 withal
                 .
              
               
                 Take
                 heed
                 you
                 that
                 hear
                 or
                 read
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 
                   mixed
                   with
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 add
                 greatly
                 to
                 your
                 misery
                 .
                 Every
                 Argument
                 will
                 be
                 your
                 Torment
                 .
                 But
                 these
                 considerations
                 must
                 be
                 insisted
                 on
                 afterwards
                 ,
              
               
                 Moreover
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 take
                 into
                 your
                 minds
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 delivered
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 concerning
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 you
                 attend
                 unto
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 and
                 due
                 observation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 When
                 you
                 address
                 your selves
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 remember
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 requires
                 of
                 you
                 who
                 
                   are
                   sinners
                
                 .
                 That
                 this
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 thoughts
                 and
                 intention
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 sinners
                 .
                 Bless
                 him
                 with
                 all
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 laid
                 as
                 the
                 Foundation
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 not
                 utterly
                 cast
                 off
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 are
                 sinners
                 .
                 Let
                 this
                 support
                 and
                 warm
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 go
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 duty
                 
                 of
                 Worship
                 .
                 Consider
                 what
                 is
                 your
                 principal
                 work
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 You
                 are
                 going
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Being
                   ,
                   Causes
                   ,
                   Consequents
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Effects
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Hearken
                 what
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 declares
                 ,
                 or
                 reveals
                 about
                 it
                 ;
                 mix
                 his
                 Revelation
                 and
                 Promises
                 with
                 faith
                 .
                 Enquire
                 diligently
                 into
                 all
                 the
                 Obedience
                 and
                 Thankfulness
                 ,
                 all
                 those
                 duties
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 justly
                 expects
                 from
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 so
                 shall
                 you
                 observe
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 
                   his
                   Glory
                
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 
                   own
                   Advantage
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   The
                   giving
                   and
                   establishing
                   of
                   the
                   New
                   Covenant
                   another
                   Evidence
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                   The
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                   engaged
                   in
                   the
                   confirmation
                   thereof
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 VIII
                 .
                 Another
                 Evidence
                 hereof
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 making
                 ,
                 establishing
                 and
                 ratifying
                 of
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 That
                 God
                 would
                 make
                 a
                 
                   new
                   Covenant
                
                 with
                 his
                 people
                 is
                 often
                 promised
                 ,
                 often
                 declared
                 .
                 See
                 among
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 31.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 and
                 that
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   so
                
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostle
                 at
                 large
                 doth
                 manifest
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 Now
                 herein
                 sundry
                 things
                 unto
                 our
                 present
                 purpose
                 may
                 be
                 considered
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 supposed
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 before
                 made
                 
                   another
                   Covenant
                
                 with
                 mankind
                 .
                 With
                 reference
                 hereunto
                 is
                 this
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   new
                   one
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 opposed
                 unto
                 another
                 that
                 was
                 before
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 comparison
                 whereof
                 that
                 is
                 called
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 new
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaks
                 expresly
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 before
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Now
                 a
                 Covenant
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 man
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 Great
                 and
                 Marvellous
                 ;
                 whether
                 we
                 consider
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Ends
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 In
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Convention
                 ,
                 Compact
                 and
                 Agreement
                 ,
                 for
                 some
                 certain
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 between
                 the
                 Holy
                 Creator
                 and
                 his
                 poor
                 creatures
                 .
                 How
                 infinite
                 ,
                 how
                 unspeakable
                 must
                 needs
                 the
                 Grace
                 and
                 Condescention
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 be
                 ?
                 For
                 what
                 is
                 
                   poor
                   miserable
                   man
                
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 set
                 his
                 heart
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 give
                 
                   bounds
                   to
                   his
                   Soveraignty
                
                 over
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 enter
                 into
                 terms
                 of
                 Agreement
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 For
                 whereas
                 before
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 
                   meer
                   object
                
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Absolute
                   Dominion
                
                 ,
                 made
                 at
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   for
                   his
                   Pleasure
                
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 on
                 the
                 same
                 reasons
                 to
                 be
                 crushed
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 into
                 nothing
                 ;
                 Now
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 bottom
                 ,
                 and
                 ground
                 given
                 him
                 to
                 stand
                 upon
                 ,
                 whereon
                 to
                 expect
                 
                   good
                   things
                
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 Faithfulness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 gives
                 those
                 holy
                 properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 unto
                 his
                 Creatures
                 :
                 as
                 his
                 hand
                 or
                 arm
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 them
                 to
                 plead
                 and
                 argue
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 without
                 this
                 a
                 man
                 could
                 have
                 no
                 foundation
                 for
                 any
                 entercourse
                 or
                 Communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 any
                 expectation
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 nor
                 any
                 direction
                 how
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 concernments
                 .
                 Great
                 and
                 signal
                 then
                 was
                 the
                 condescension
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 his
                 poor
                 Creature
                 
                   into
                   Covenant
                
                 with
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 especially
                 will
                 this
                 be
                 manifest
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 consider
                 the
                 Ends
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 God
                 thus
                 deals
                 with
                 man.
                 Now
                 these
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 than
                 that
                 man
                 might
                 
                   serve
                   him
                   aright
                
                 ,
                 be
                 blessed
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 brought
                 unto
                 the
                 everlasting
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 unto
                 his
                 Glory
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 Ends
                 of
                 every
                 Covenant
                 that
                 God
                 takes
                 us
                 into
                 with
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   of
                   man.
                
                 No
                 more
                 is
                 required
                 
                   of
                   us
                
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 duty
                 ;
                 no
                 more
                 can
                 be
                 required
                 
                   by
                   us
                
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 
                   blessed
                   and
                   happy
                
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 contained
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 we
                 might
                 
                   live
                   to
                   God
                
                 ,
                 be
                 accepted
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 eternal
                 fruition
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   of
                   man
                
                 ;
                 All
                 that
                 we
                 were
                 made
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Ends
                   of
                   every
                   Covenant
                
                 that
                 God
                 makes
                 with
                 men
                 ;
                 being
                 all
                 comprized
                 in
                 that
                 solemn
                 word
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   will
                   be
                   their
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   his
                   people
                   .
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 This
                 being
                 the
                 Nature
                 ,
                 this
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 a
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 important
                 cause
                 ,
                 to
                 change
                 ,
                 alter
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   abrogate
                   a
                   Covenant
                
                 once
                 made
                 and
                 established
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 aside
                 
                   one
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 another
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 this
                 the
                 Apostle
                 sayes
                 expresly
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 done
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 13.
                 and
                 proves
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 himself
                 calls
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 promised
                 ,
                 
                   a
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 which
                 undeniably
                 confirms
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 other
                 was
                 become
                 old
                 ;
                 and
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 being
                 become
                 so
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 changed
                 ,
                 altered
                 and
                 removed
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaks
                 immediately
                 of
                 the
                 
                   old
                   Administration
                
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 under
                 the
                 Old
                 Testament
                 or
                 Mosaical
                 Institutions
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 doth
                 so
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 that
                 revival
                 which
                 
                 in
                 it
                 was
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 made
                 with
                 Adam
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 giving
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Curse
                 wherewith
                 it
                 was
                 accompanied
                 which
                 were
                 immixed
                 with
                 that
                 Administration
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 solemn
                 revival
                 and
                 Representation
                 of
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 Sanction
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 had
                 life
                 and
                 power
                 given
                 it
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 people
                 in
                 bondage
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Abolition
                 or
                 taking
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Legal
                 
                   Administration
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 was
                 meerly
                 to
                 take
                 out
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 all
                 use
                 and
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 As
                 was
                 said
                 therefore
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 ,
                 disannul
                 ,
                 and
                 change
                 a
                 Covenant
                 so
                 made
                 ,
                 ratified
                 ,
                 and
                 established
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 man
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 matter
                 that
                 must
                 be
                 resolved
                 into
                 some
                 cogent
                 ,
                 important
                 ,
                 and
                 indispensable
                 cause
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 will
                 the
                 more
                 evidently
                 appear
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 In
                 general
                 ;
                 
                   that
                   the
                   first
                   Covenant
                   was
                   Good
                   ,
                
                 Holy
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 and
                 Equal
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 such
                 as
                 
                   became
                   God
                
                 to
                 make
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 every
                 way
                 the
                 
                   happiness
                   of
                   the
                   Creature
                
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 .
                 We
                 need
                 no
                 other
                 Argument
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 
                   holy
                   and
                   good
                
                 ,
                 than
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 made
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 Effect
                 of
                 infinite
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Wisdome
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 in
                 it self
                 was
                 it
                 every
                 way
                 perfect
                 ;
                 for
                 so
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God.
                 Besides
                 it
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 man
                 ,
                 when
                 through
                 his
                 own
                 sault
                 he
                 cannot
                 obtain
                 any
                 good
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 perish
                 everlastingly
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 Curse
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 yet
                 cannot
                 but
                 subscribe
                 unto
                 its
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Holiness
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 was
                 the
                 Rule
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 therein
                 is
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 it
                 contained
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 whatever
                 becomes
                 of
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   is
                   holy
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   commandment
                   is
                   holy
                   and
                   just
                   ,
                   and
                   good
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 12.
                 
                 Holy
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 own
                 Nature
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 Order
                 and
                 Constitution
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 holy
                 God.
                 Just
                 and
                 equal
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 complain
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 repine
                 against
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 most
                 righteous
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 appearance
                 of
                 Rigor
                 and
                 severity
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 accompanied
                 withal
                 ,
                 had
                 in
                 it
                 an
                 exceeding
                 mixture
                 of
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 Obedience
                 constituted
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Reward
                 annexed
                 unto
                 
                 it
                 ;
                 as
                 might
                 be
                 more
                 fully
                 manifested
                 ,
                 were
                 that
                 our
                 present
                 work
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 In
                 particular
                 it
                 was
                 
                   Good
                   ,
                   Holy
                
                 and
                 Righteous
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Commands
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Obedience
                 which
                 it
                 required
                 .
                 And
                 two
                 things
                 there
                 were
                 that
                 rendred
                 it
                 exceeding
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 its
                 Precepts
                 or
                 Commands
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 were
                 all
                 suited
                 unto
                 the
                 Principles
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 man
                 created
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 regular
                 acting
                 whereof
                 consisted
                 his
                 perfection
                 .
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Covenant
                 required
                 nothing
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 prescribed
                 nothing
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Principle
                 for
                 the
                 doing
                 and
                 accomplishing
                 of
                 it
                 ingrafted
                 ,
                 and
                 implanted
                 on
                 his
                 nature
                 ;
                 which
                 rendred
                 all
                 those
                 commands
                 equal
                 ,
                 holy
                 and
                 good
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 need
                 any
                 man
                 complain
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 requires
                 nothing
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 frame
                 and
                 Principles
                 inclined
                 unto
                 ?
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Commands
                 of
                 it
                 were
                 proportionate
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   strength
                   and
                   ability
                   of
                   them
                   to
                   whom
                   they
                   were
                   given
                   .
                
                 God
                 in
                 that
                 Covenant
                 required
                 nothing
                 of
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 before
                 enabled
                 him
                 to
                 perform
                 :
                 nothing
                 above
                 his
                 strength
                 ,
                 or
                 beyond
                 his
                 power
                 :
                 and
                 thence
                 was
                 it
                 also
                 righteous
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 It
                 was
                 exceeding
                 Good
                 Holy
                 and
                 Righteous
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 its
                 Promises
                 and
                 rewards
                 .
                 
                   Do
                   this
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 
                   this
                   which
                   thou
                   art
                   able
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Principles
                   of
                   thy
                   nature
                   are
                   fitted
                
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 enclined
                 unto
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 issue
                 thereof
                 ?
                 Why
                 
                   do
                   this
                   and
                   live
                
                 ;
                 Life
                 is
                 promised
                 unto
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 Life
                 ,
                 as
                 both
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 and
                 future
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 creature
                 ,
                 was
                 accompanied
                 with
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 was
                 needful
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 blessed
                 and
                 happy
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 this
                 Life
                 having
                 in
                 it
                 the
                 eternal
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   himself
                   as
                   a
                   Reward
                
                 ,
                 was
                 exceedingly
                 above
                 whatever
                 the
                 Obedience
                 of
                 man
                 could
                 require
                 as
                 due
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 any
                 Reason
                 ,
                 on
                 any
                 other
                 account
                 ,
                 but
                 meerly
                 of
                 the
                 Goodness
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 expect
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 There
                 was
                 provision
                 in
                 that
                 Covenant
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Preservation
                   and
                   manifestation
                   of
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 whatever
                 was
                 the
                 Event
                 on
                 the
                 part
                 of
                 man.
                 This
                 was
                 provided
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God.
                 Did
                 man
                 continue
                 in
                 his
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 fulfill
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 all
                 things
                 were
                 laid
                 in
                 subserviency
                 to
                 the
                 Eternal
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 
                 Reward
                 .
                 Herein
                 would
                 he
                 for
                 ever
                 have
                 manifested
                 and
                 exalted
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   Power
                
                 ,
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Goodness
                 .
                 As
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Creator
                 ,
                 and
                 Preserver
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 faithful
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteous
                 Rewarder
                 would
                 he
                 have
                 been
                 glorified
                 .
                 On
                 supposition
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 that
                 man
                 by
                 sin
                 and
                 Rebellion
                 should
                 trangress
                 the
                 terms
                 and
                 tenor
                 of
                 this
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 yet
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 provision
                 that
                 no
                 detriment
                 unto
                 his
                 Glory
                 should
                 ensue
                 thereon
                 .
                 For
                 by
                 the
                 constitution
                 of
                 a
                 punishment
                 proportionable
                 in
                 his
                 Justice
                 unto
                 that
                 sin
                 and
                 demerit
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 provided
                 that
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Holiness
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 
                   Veracity
                   in
                   his
                   Threatnings
                
                 should
                 be
                 exalted
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 God
                 would
                 have
                 lost
                 no
                 more
                 glory
                 and
                 honour
                 by
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 than
                 by
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 Angels
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 his
                 infinite
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 become
                 a
                 great
                 Theatre
                 of
                 his
                 Eternal
                 Glory
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 Excellent
                 in
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Severity
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 his
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Power
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Wherefore
                 we
                 may
                 now
                 return
                 unto
                 our
                 former
                 enquiry
                 .
                 All
                 things
                 being
                 thus
                 excellently
                 and
                 admirably
                 disposed
                 in
                 infinite
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Holiness
                 in
                 this
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 Duty
                 and
                 Blessedness
                 of
                 man
                 being
                 fully
                 provided
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 absolutely
                 secured
                 upon
                 all
                 Events
                 ,
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 Reason
                 that
                 God
                 left
                 not
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 stand
                 or
                 fall
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 doth
                 he
                 reject
                 and
                 
                   lay
                   aside
                   this
                   Covenant
                
                 and
                 Promise
                 to
                 make
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 so
                 accordingly
                 ?
                 Certain
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 continued
                 it
                 with
                 a
                 blessed
                 security
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 makes
                 
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   himself
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   wicked
                   for
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   evil
                   .
                
              
               
                 God
                 himself
                 shews
                 what
                 was
                 the
                 only
                 and
                 sole
                 Reason
                 of
                 this
                 dispensation
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 summ
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 .
                 Notwithstanding
                 the
                 blessed
                 Constitution
                 of
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 provision
                 for
                 the
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 no
                 room
                 or
                 place
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 on
                 supposition
                 that
                 
                   man
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 that
                 Covenant
                 left
                 remediless
                 .
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 in
                 it
                 revealed
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 as
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 nor
                 had
                 any
                 sinner
                 the
                 least
                 hope
                 or
                 grounds
                 of
                 expectation
                 from
                 thence
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 Dye
                 
                 
                   he
                   must
                   and
                   perish
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 remedy
                 or
                 recovery
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 this
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 .
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 require
                 another
                 state
                 of
                 things
                 .
                 This
                 Covenant
                 will
                 not
                 manifest
                 them
                 ;
                 their
                 effects
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 communicated
                 to
                 poor
                 sinners
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 Hence
                 saith
                 he
                 it
                 is
                 faulty
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 defective
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 lose
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 shall
                 sinners
                 be
                 unrelieved
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 although
                 I
                 may
                 strictly
                 tye
                 up
                 all
                 mankind
                 unto
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 this
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 
                   another
                   Covenant
                
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 shall
                 know
                 and
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   fear
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 Now
                 next
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 this
                 Covenant
                 was
                 ratified
                 and
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   Evidence
                
                 that
                 can
                 possible
                 be
                 given
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 else
                 doth
                 God
                 make
                 this
                 
                   great
                   alteration
                
                 in
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 of
                 dealing
                 with
                 mankind
                 .
                 As
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 
                   expresly
                   contained
                
                 in
                 the
                 tenor
                 and
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 so
                 set
                 it
                 aside
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 of
                 no
                 more
                 use
                 or
                 advantage
                 than
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 this
                 Covenant
                 is
                 made
                 directly
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 nor
                 was
                 there
                 any
                 one
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 made
                 it
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 nor
                 is
                 it
                 of
                 use
                 unto
                 any
                 but
                 sinners
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 the
                 very
                 life
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Hence
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   greatness
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 learn
                 to
                 value
                 it
                 :
                 and
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   certainty
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 learn
                 to
                 believe
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 greatness
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 do
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 thing
                 as
                 that
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 great
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   end
                
                 .
                 Had
                 it
                 not
                 been
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 importance
                 unto
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 have
                 laid
                 aside
                 
                   one
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 another
                 .
                 We
                 may
                 evidently
                 see
                 how
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 set
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 how
                 his
                 Nature
                 and
                 Will
                 were
                 engaged
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 was
                 done
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 pardoned
                 .
                 The
                 old
                 glorious
                 fabrick
                 of
                 Obedience
                 and
                 Rewards
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 down
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 new
                 one
                 may
                 be
                 erected
                 for
                 the
                 honour
                 and
                 glory
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 have
                 
                   slight
                   thoughts
                
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 strangely
                 and
                 wonderfully
                 brought
                 forth
                 ,
                 wherein
                 God
                 had
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 embarked
                 his
                 great
                 Glory
                 .
                 Shall
                 all
                 this
                 be
                 done
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 shall
                 we
                 undervalue
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 disesteem
                 it
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 God
                 could
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 say
                 ,
                 more
                 easily
                 have
                 made
                 a
                 
                   new
                   world
                
                 of
                 Innocent
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 governed
                 them
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 than
                 have
                 established
                 this
                 new
                 one
                 for
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ;
                 but
                 then
                 where
                 had
                 been
                 
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ?
                 It
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 been
                 known
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Old
                   Covenant
                
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 preserved
                 ,
                 and
                 sinners
                 pardoned
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 God
                 chose
                 rather
                 to
                 leave
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 than
                 sinners
                 unrelieved
                 ,
                 than
                 Grace
                 unexalted
                 ,
                 and
                 Pardon
                 unexercised
                 .
                 Prize
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 prize
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 glory
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 those
                 that
                 believe
                 will
                 do
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 For
                 the
                 
                   security
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   believe
                   it
                   .
                
                 What
                 greater
                 can
                 be
                 given
                 ?
                 God
                 deceiveth
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 he
                 is
                 deceived
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 could
                 God
                 
                   that
                   cannot
                   lye
                
                 ,
                 do
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 us
                 satisfaction
                 herein
                 than
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 ?
                 Go
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 spread
                 before
                 him
                 this
                 whole
                 matter
                 ;
                 plead
                 with
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 himself
                 hath
                 so
                 far
                 
                   laid
                   aside
                   the
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Gracious
                 Will
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 
                   new
                   one
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 meerly
                 because
                 it
                 had
                 
                   no
                   forgiveness
                
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 on
                 purpose
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 known
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 we
                 now
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Will
                 he
                 now
                 deny
                 that
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 such
                 Assurance
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 raised
                 such
                 expectations
                 concerning
                 it
                 ?
                 Nothing
                 can
                 here
                 wrong
                 us
                 ,
                 nothing
                 can
                 ruine
                 us
                 but
                 unbelief
                 .
                 Lay
                 hold
                 on
                 this
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 pardon
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 27.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Will
                 we
                 continue
                 on
                 the
                 old
                 bottom
                 of
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                
                 ?
                 All
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 do
                 thereon
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 to
                 
                   set
                   thorns
                   and
                   bryars
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 to
                 secure
                 our selves
                 from
                 his
                 coming
                 against
                 us
                 and
                 upon
                 us
                 with
                 his
                 indignation
                 and
                 fury
                 .
                 Our
                 sins
                 are
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 no
                 better
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 issue
                 ?
                 both
                 they
                 and
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 
                   trodden
                   down
                   consumed
                   and
                   burnt
                   up
                   .
                
                 What
                 way
                 then
                 ,
                 what
                 remedy
                 is
                 left
                 unto
                 us
                 ?
                 only
                 this
                 of
                 
                   laying
                   hold
                   on
                   the
                   arm
                   and
                   strength
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 that
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 wherein
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 provided
                 .
                 Therein
                 alone
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   fury
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   me
                
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 end
                 will
                 be
                 
                   that
                   we
                   shall
                   have
                   peace
                
                 with
                 him
                 both
                 here
                 and
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 IX
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                   engaged
                   and
                   interposed
                   in
                   this
                   matter
                
                 is
                 another
                 Evidence
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 Now
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 annexed
                 unto
                 the
                 Covenant
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 its
                 establishment
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 pass
                 it
                 over
                 the
                 more
                 briefly
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 it
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Nature
                   of
                   the
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 The
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 that
                 he
                 
                   sware
                   by
                   himself
                
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 gives
                 this
                 Reason
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 had
                 
                   no
                   greater
                   to
                   swear
                   by
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 13.
                 
                 An
                 Oath
                 for
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 Invocation
                 of
                 a
                 
                   Supream
                   Power
                
                 that
                 can
                 judge
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 that
                 is
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 vindicate
                 the
                 breach
                 of
                 the
                 engagement
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 hath
                 none
                 other
                 but
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   Because
                   he
                   could
                   swear
                   by
                   no
                   greater
                   ,
                   he
                   swear
                   by
                   himself
                   .
                
                 Now
                 this
                 God
                 doth
                 ,
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 By
                 express
                 Affirmation
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 so
                 sworn
                 by
                 himself
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 solemn
                 Oath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 22.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   By
                   my self
                   have
                   I
                   sworn
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 The
                 meaning
                 whereof
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 taken
                 it
                 upon
                 my self
                 
                   as
                   I
                   am
                   God
                
                 ,
                 or
                 let
                 me
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 perform
                 not
                 this
                 thing
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 expressed
                 by
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 51.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   of
                   Hosts
                   hath
                   sworn
                   by
                   his
                   soul
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 render
                 the
                 words
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 God
                 doth
                 it
                 by
                 the
                 especial
                 Interposition
                 of
                 some
                 such
                 Property
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 suited
                 to
                 give
                 credit
                 and
                 confirmation
                 to
                 the
                 Word
                 spoken
                 ;
                 as
                 of
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 89.
                 35.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sworn
                   by
                   my
                   Holiness
                
                 :
                 So
                 also
                 Amos
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 Sometime
                 by
                 his
                 life
                 ;
                 
                   As
                   I
                   live
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   I
                   live
                   saith
                   God
                
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 And
                 sometimes
                 by
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 44.
                 26.
                 
                 God
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 engageth
                 the
                 Honour
                 and
                 Glory
                 of
                 the
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 for
                 the
                 
                   certain
                   accomplishment
                
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 mentioned
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 evident
                 from
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 the
                 Expression
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 that
                 place
                 of
                 Psal.
                 89.
                 35.
                 
                 
                   Once
                   have
                   I
                   sworn
                   by
                   my
                   holiness
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   lye
                   unto
                   David
                
                 ;
                 so
                 we
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 the
                 words
                 are
                 eliptical
                 :
                 
                   If
                   I
                   lye
                   unto
                   David
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Let
                 me
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 nor
                 be
                 esteemed
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   I
                   lye
                   unto
                   David
                
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 For
                 the
                 
                   End
                   of
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 ;
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 give
                 it
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 Word
                 or
                 Promise
                 
                   sure
                   and
                   stedfast
                
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 give
                 
                   Assurance
                   and
                   Security
                
                 unto
                 us
                 of
                 their
                 accomplishment
                 .
                 Every
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 sure
                 and
                 certain
                 ,
                 truth
                 it self
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 might
                 justly
                 require
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 the
                 belief
                 of
                 it
                 without
                 any
                 
                 further
                 Attestation
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 knowing
                 what
                 great
                 Objections
                 Satan
                 and
                 our
                 own
                 unbelieving
                 hearts
                 will
                 raise
                 against
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 as
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 concernment
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   confirm
                   our
                   minds
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 all
                 pretences
                 of
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   interposeth
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 remain
                 of
                 distrust
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 case
                 ?
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 matter
                 in
                 doubt
                 between
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 Oath
                 be
                 interposed
                 in
                 the
                 confirmation
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 called
                 in
                 question
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   an
                   End
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   unto
                   them
                   of
                   all
                   strife
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 16.
                 
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 ought
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 on
                 the
                 part
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 Oath
                 is
                 engaged
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Apostle
                 declares
                 this
                 
                   End
                   of
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 
                   shew
                   the
                   immutability
                   of
                   his
                   counsel
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 17.
                 
                 His
                 counsel
                 was
                 declared
                 before
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 some
                 doubt
                 or
                 strife
                 may
                 arise
                 ,
                 whether
                 on
                 one
                 occasion
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 God
                 may
                 not
                 
                   change
                   his
                   counsell
                
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 changed
                 it
                 with
                 such
                 conditions
                 as
                 to
                 render
                 it
                 useless
                 unto
                 us
                 ?
                 In
                 what
                 case
                 soever
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 remove
                 all
                 doubts
                 and
                 suspicions
                 of
                 this
                 nature
                 ,
                 God
                 
                   adds
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 ,
                 manifesting
                 the
                 unquestionable
                 
                   immutability
                   of
                   his
                   counsel
                
                 and
                 Promises
                 .
                 What
                 therefore
                 is
                 thus
                 confirmed
                 is
                 ascertained
                 unto
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 what
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 nor
                 to
                 believe
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 Impiety
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 In
                 this
                 
                   Interposition
                   of
                   God
                   by
                   an
                   Oath
                   ,
                
                 there
                 is
                 unspeakable
                 
                   condescention
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 both
                 an
                 exceeding
                 great
                 
                   motive
                   unto
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 Aggravation
                 of
                 Unbelief
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 holy
                 and
                 blessed
                 God
                 should
                 thus
                 
                   condescend
                   unto
                   us
                
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 our
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 surety
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   engage
                   himself
                   by
                   an
                   Oath
                   !
                
                 One
                 said
                 well
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 
                   Foelices
                   nos
                   quorum
                   causa
                   Deus
                   jurat
                   ;
                   O
                   infoelices
                   ,
                   si
                   nec
                   juranti
                   Deo
                   credimus
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 inestimable
                 advantage
                 that
                 God
                 should
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 
                   engage
                   himself
                   by
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 our
                 misery
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 believe
                 him
                 not
                 when
                 he
                 swears
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 we
                 now
                 object
                 against
                 what
                 is
                 thus
                 confirmed
                 ?
                 What
                 pretence
                 ,
                 colour
                 ,
                 or
                 excuse
                 can
                 we
                 have
                 for
                 our
                 unbelief
                 ?
                 How
                 just
                 ,
                 how
                 righteous
                 ,
                 how
                 holy
                 must
                 their
                 destruction
                 be
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 this
                 strange
                 ,
                 wonderful
                 and
                 unexpected
                 Warranty
                 ,
                 refuse
                 to
                 set
                 their
                 seal
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 true
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 things
                 being
                 premised
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 how
                 variously
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   engaged
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 
                 him
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 He
                 
                   sweareth
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   a
                   sinner
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   that
                   he
                   repent
                   and
                   live
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 33.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   As
                   I
                   live
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   a
                   sinner
                
                 :
                 Now
                 without
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 every
                 sinner
                 must
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 remedy
                 .
                 Confirming
                 therefore
                 with
                 his
                 Oath
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 will
                 the
                 sinner
                 should
                 return
                 ,
                 repent
                 and
                 live
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 
                   swear
                   by
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 for
                 these
                 sinners
                 that
                 shall
                 so
                 repent
                 and
                 turn
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Again
                 ,
                 Whereas
                 the
                 great
                 means
                 he
                 hath
                 appointed
                 for
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Mediation
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 afterwards
                 shew
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 on
                 several
                 occasions
                 confirmed
                 his
                 purpose
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 by
                 
                   his
                   Oath
                
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 Oath
                 he
                 promised
                 him
                 unto
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 David
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 which
                 proved
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 stability
                 in
                 all
                 generations
                 ;
                 and
                 also
                 of
                 their
                 Security
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 see
                 Luke
                 1.
                 73
                 ,
                 74
                 ,
                 75.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 his
                 taking
                 upon
                 him
                 that
                 Office
                 whereby
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 procured
                 ,
                 namely
                 of
                 his
                 being
                 a
                 Priest
                 to
                 offer
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 an
                 Attonement
                 for
                 sinners
                 ,
                 he
                 confirmed
                 
                   it
                   unto
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   him
                   in
                   it
                
                 by
                 his
                 Oath
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   not
                   made
                   a
                   Priest
                   without
                   an
                   Oath
                   .
                
                 And
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 ?
                 Namely
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 
                   a
                   surety
                   of
                   a
                   better
                   Testament
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 22.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 was
                 that
                 
                   better
                   Testament
                
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 brought
                 along
                 with
                 it
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 8.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 confirmed
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Oath
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Further
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostle
                 shews
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 great
                 
                   Original
                   Promise
                
                 made
                 unto
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 being
                 confirmed
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 other
                 Promises
                 were
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 confirmed
                 .
                 Whence
                 he
                 draws
                 that
                 blessed
                 conclusion
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 As
                 to
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   flyes
                   for
                   refuge
                   to
                   the
                   hope
                   that
                   is
                   set
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 who
                 seeks
                 to
                 escape
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 the
                 curse
                 and
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 Application
                 of
                 himself
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 for
                 pardon
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 
                   the
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                
                 to
                 secure
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 thereof
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 concernments
                 of
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 testified
                 unto
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 manifested
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 highest
                 security
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 can
                 give
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   The
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                   confirming
                   the
                   Truth
                   and
                   Reality
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                   .
                   As
                   also
                   the
                   same
                   is
                   done
                   by
                   the
                   Properties
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 X.
                 Another
                 foundation
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 infallible
                 Evidence
                 of
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 that
                 especial
                 Name
                 and
                 Title
                 which
                 God
                 takes
                 unto
                 himself
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 owns
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 
                   God
                   of
                   Pardons
                
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 
                   God
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 he
                 called
                 ,
                 Nehem.
                 9.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 we
                 have
                 rendred
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   ready
                   to
                   forgive
                
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 was
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   And
                   thou
                   art
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Pardons
                   ,
                   Forgiveness
                   ,
                   or
                   Propitiations
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 owneth
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 accepteth
                 of
                 the
                 Ascription
                 of
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 The
                 Name
                 whereby
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 known
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 clear
                 this
                 Evidence
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 in
                 some
                 considerations
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Use
                 thereof
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   that
                   whereby
                   he
                   reveals
                   himself
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                
                 whereby
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 us
                 know
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 own
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 something
                 
                   expressive
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                
                 or
                 Properties
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 appropriated
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 Whatever
                 therefore
                 any
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 expresseth
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 expect
                 to
                 find
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 deceive
                 us
                 by
                 giving
                 himself
                 a
                 wrong
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 
                   false
                   Name
                
                 .
                 And
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 he
                 requires
                 us
                 to
                 
                   trust
                   in
                   his
                   name
                
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 will
                 assuredly
                 be
                 found
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 what
                 his
                 Name
                 imports
                 .
                 Resting
                 on
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 flying
                 unto
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 calling
                 upon
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 praising
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 things
                 so
                 often
                 mentioned
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 confirm
                 the
                 same
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 deceived
                 in
                 so
                 doing
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 then
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 to
                 us
                 what
                 his
                 Name
                 declareth
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 On
                 this
                 Ground
                 and
                 Reason
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 said
                 then
                 first
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 by
                 
                   any
                   name
                
                 ,
                 when
                 those
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 reveals
                 himself
                 ,
                 do
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 
                   rest
                   on
                   that
                   name
                
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 that
                 accomplished
                 towards
                 them
                 which
                 that
                 name
                 imports
                 signifies
                 or
                 declares
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 God
                 did
                 not
                 under
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 reveal
                 himself
                 to
                 any
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 
                   Son
                   incarnate
                
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 
                 them
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 accomplished
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   having
                   provided
                   some
                   better
                   thing
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   without
                   us
                   ,
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   made
                   perfect
                
                 ;
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 entrusted
                 with
                 the
                 full
                 Revelation
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 his
                 blessed
                 names
                 .
                 Neither
                 doth
                 God
                 call
                 us
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 any
                 name
                 of
                 his
                 however
                 declared
                 ,
                 or
                 revealed
                 ,
                 unless
                 he
                 gives
                 it
                 us
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Covenant
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 6.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   I
                   appeared
                   unto
                
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 unto
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   to
                
                 Jacob
                 (
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 )
                 
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   God
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   my
                   name
                
                 Jehovah
                 
                   was
                   I
                   not
                   known
                   unto
                   them
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 that
                 both
                 these
                 names
                 of
                 God
                 Elshaddai
                 and
                 Jehovah
                 ,
                 were
                 known
                 among
                 his
                 people
                 before
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 mention
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 Abrahams
                 addressing
                 himself
                 unto
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 
                   name
                   Jehovah
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 12.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   He
                   built
                   an
                   Altar
                   unto
                   Jehovah
                
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 afterwards
                 not
                 only
                 doth
                 Moses
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 that
                 Name
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Repetition
                   of
                   the
                   Story
                
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 also
                 of
                 frequent
                 use
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
                 Whence
                 then
                 is
                 it
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 appeared
                 unto
                 them
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Elshaddai
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Jehovah
                 ?
                 The
                 Reason
                 is
                 because
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 name
                 which
                 God
                 gave
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 solemn
                 confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 with
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 I
                 am
                 
                   Elshaddai
                   ,
                   God
                   Almighty
                
                 ,
                 God
                 Alsufficient
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 Isaac
                 would
                 pray
                 for
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 on
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 use
                 of
                 that
                 name
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 28.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   God
                   Almighty
                   bless
                   thee
                
                 .
                 He
                 invocates
                 that
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 was
                 engaged
                 in
                 the
                 Conant
                 made
                 with
                 his
                 Father
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 himself
                 .
                 That
                 therefore
                 we
                 may
                 withfull
                 Assurance
                 rest
                 on
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 necessary
                 that
                 God
                 reveal
                 that
                 name
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 that
                 he
                 give
                 it
                 out
                 unto
                 us
                 for
                 that
                 end
                 and
                 purpose
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 
                   know
                   him
                
                 thereby
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 our
                 trust
                 and
                 confidence
                 in
                 him
                 according
                 unto
                 what
                 that
                 
                   name
                   of
                   his
                   imports
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 case
                 where
                 ever
                 he
                 revealed
                 himself
                 unto
                 any
                 in
                 a
                 peculiar
                 manner
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 
                   especial
                   Name
                
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 did
                 unto
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 28.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   God
                   of
                
                 Abraham
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ;
                 assuring
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 he
                 dealt
                 faithfully
                 in
                 his
                 Covenant
                 with
                 his
                 Fathers
                 Abraham
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 he
                 would
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 Gen.
                 31.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Bethel
                
                 ;
                 he
                 who
                 appeared
                 unto
                 thee
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 blessed
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 continue
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 same
                 Jacob
                 comes
                 to
                 ask
                 after
                 
                   another
                   name
                
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 answers
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 commanding
                 him
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 on
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 reveal
                 .
                 Now
                 then
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 made
                 himself
                 known
                 to
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 and
                 Jacob
                 by
                 his
                 name
                 Jehovah
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 peculiarly
                 called
                 himself
                 unto
                 them
                 by
                 
                   that
                   name
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 had
                 engaged
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 Covenant
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 although
                 it
                 were
                 otherwise
                 known
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 lived
                 and
                 rested
                 on
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 
                   God
                   Almighty
                
                 ,
                 as
                 suited
                 to
                 their
                 supportment
                 and
                 consolation
                 in
                 their
                 wandring
                 helpless
                 condition
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Promise
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 when
                 God
                 came
                 to
                 fulfill
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 bring
                 the
                 people
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 his
                 Covenant
                 into
                 the
                 
                   Land
                   of
                   Canaan
                
                 ,
                 he
                 reveals
                 himself
                 unto
                 them
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 renews
                 his
                 Covenant
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Jehovah
                 .
                 And
                 hereby
                 did
                 God
                 declare
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 give
                 stability
                 and
                 Accomplishment
                 unto
                 his
                 Promises
                 .
                 To
                 which
                 end
                 they
                 were
                 now
                 to
                 live
                 upon
                 this
                 name
                 of
                 Jehovah
                 in
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 the
                 fulfilling
                 of
                 the
                 Promises
                 ;
                 as
                 their
                 Fathers
                 did
                 on
                 that
                 of
                 
                   God
                   Almighty
                
                 in
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 protection
                 from
                 him
                 in
                 their
                 
                   wandring
                   state
                
                 and
                 condition
                 .
                 Hence
                 this
                 name
                 became
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Judaical
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 and
                 ground
                 of
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 did
                 sincerely
                 believe
                 in
                 God
                 therein
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 
                   strangely
                   fallen
                   out
                
                 in
                 the
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 since
                 the
                 Jews
                 have
                 rejected
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 their
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 for
                 their
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 utterly
                 
                   forgot
                   that
                   Name
                   of
                   God.
                
                 No
                 Jew
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 knows
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 nor
                 how
                 to
                 
                   pronounce
                   it
                
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 pretend
                 strange
                 Mysteries
                 in
                 the
                 Letters
                 and
                 Vowels
                 of
                 that
                 name
                 which
                 make
                 it
                 ineffable
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 being
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 
                   that
                   Covenant
                
                 which
                 was
                 built
                 and
                 established
                 on
                 that
                 name
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 just
                 Judgement
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 through
                 their
                 own
                 blindness
                 and
                 superstition
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 more
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 into
                 their
                 mouths
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 required
                 then
                 that
                 the
                 
                   name
                   of
                   God
                
                 be
                 given
                 unto
                 us
                 as
                 engaged
                 in
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 our
                 expectation
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 unto
                 us
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 name
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 All
                 the
                 whole
                 
                   Gracious
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 every
                 Title
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 himself
                 ,
                 every
                 Ascription
                 of
                 Honour
                 unto
                 himself
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 owned
                 ,
                 is
                 confirmed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 (
                 unto
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 
                 believe
                 ,
                 )
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 For
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 unto
                 us
                 
                   the
                   whole
                   name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 John
                 17.
                 6.
                 
                 So
                 not
                 this
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 Promise
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   all
                   the
                   Promises
                   of
                   God
                   are
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                   Yea
                   and
                   Amen
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 every
                 
                   particular
                   Promise
                
                 that
                 God
                 made
                 unto
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 served
                 especially
                 for
                 the
                 particular
                 occasion
                 on
                 which
                 it
                 was
                 given
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   each
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 rested
                 on
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 that
                 dispensation
                 whereunto
                 it
                 was
                 suited
                 to
                 give
                 relief
                 ,
                 and
                 confidence
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Elshaddai
                 to
                 
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   Isaac
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 name
                 Jehovah
                 to
                 Moses
                 and
                 the
                 people
                 ;
                 so
                 now
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 every
                 
                   particular
                   Promise
                
                 belongs
                 unto
                 all
                 believers
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 occasions
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   every
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 whatever
                 ,
                 is
                 theirs
                 also
                 ,
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 and
                 put
                 their
                 trust
                 in
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 
                   particular
                   Promise
                
                 made
                 unto
                 Joshuah
                 at
                 his
                 entrance
                 into
                 Canaan
                 ,
                 to
                 incourage
                 and
                 strengthen
                 him
                 in
                 that
                 great
                 enterprize
                 of
                 conquering
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 applyed
                 unto
                 all
                 Believers
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 occasions
                 whatever
                 .
                 
                   I
                   will
                   never
                   leave
                   thee
                   nor
                   forsake
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 5.
                 
                 So
                 like
                 wise
                 doth
                 every
                 
                   name
                   of
                   God
                
                 belong
                 now
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 in
                 particular
                 manner
                 been
                 engaged
                 in
                 Covenant
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 because
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   Covenant
                
                 is
                 ratified
                 and
                 confirmed
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 Chap.
                 7.
                 1.
                 
                 This
                 then
                 absolutely
                 secures
                 unto
                 us
                 an
                 interest
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   God
                
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 given
                 unto
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 us
                 to
                 assure
                 us
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 God
                 takes
                 this
                 name
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 
                   in
                   a
                   peculiar
                   manner
                
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 whereby
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 distinguished
                 and
                 known
                 .
                 He
                 appropriates
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 as
                 expressing
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Power
                 and
                 Goodness
                 of
                 no
                 other
                 can
                 extend
                 unto
                 .
                 There
                 
                   are
                   Lords
                   many
                   ,
                   and
                   Gods
                   many
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 some
                 that
                 are
                 called
                 so
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 some
                 account
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 .
                 How
                 is
                 the
                 
                   true
                   God
                
                 distinguished
                 from
                 these
                 
                   Gods
                   by
                   Reputation
                
                 ?
                 He
                 is
                 so
                 by
                 this
                 name
                 ,
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 
                   God
                   of
                   Pardons
                
                 ,
                 Micah
                 7.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   a
                   God
                   like
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   that
                   pardoneth
                   iniquity
                   ?
                
                 This
                 is
                 his
                 Prerogative
                 ;
                 herein
                 none
                 is
                 equal
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 like
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 sharer
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Who
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 like
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 called
                 a
                 
                   God
                   of
                   Pardons
                
                 .
                 The
                 Vanities
                 of
                 the
                 Nations
                 cannot
                 give
                 them
                 
                   this
                   rain
                
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 refreshing
                 showers
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 Pardon
                 in
                 their
                 power
                 .
                 Neither
                 Angels
                 ,
                 
                 nor
                 Saints
                 ,
                 nor
                 Images
                 ,
                 nor
                 Popes
                 ,
                 can
                 Pardon
                 Sin.
                 By
                 this
                 name
                 doth
                 he
                 distinguish
                 himself
                 from
                 them
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 
                   known
                   by
                   this
                   name
                
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Great
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 When
                 Moses
                 desired
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 tells
                 him
                 
                   that
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   see
                   his
                   face
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 33.
                 18
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 The
                 face
                 of
                 God
                 or
                 the
                 glorious
                 Majesty
                 of
                 
                   his
                   Being
                
                 ,
                 his
                 
                   Essential
                   Glory
                
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 of
                 any
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ;
                 We
                 cannot
                 see
                 him
                 as
                 
                   he
                   is
                
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 
                   glorious
                   manifestation
                
                 of
                 himself
                 we
                 may
                 behold
                 and
                 contemplate
                 .
                 This
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 as
                 the
                 
                   back
                   parts
                
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 That
                 shaddow
                 of
                 his
                 excellencies
                 which
                 he
                 casteth
                 forth
                 in
                 his
                 passing
                 by
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 works
                 and
                 dispensations
                 .
                 This
                 Moses
                 shall
                 see
                 .
                 And
                 wherein
                 did
                 it
                 consist
                 ?
                 Why
                 in
                 the
                 Revelation
                 and
                 Declaration
                 of
                 this
                 
                   name
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 34.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   passed
                   by
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   proclaimed
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   Merciful
                   and
                   Gracious
                   ,
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   and
                   Abundant
                   in
                   Goodness
                   and
                   in
                   Truth
                   ,
                   keeping
                   Mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                   ,
                   Forgiving
                   Iniquity
                   ,
                   Transgressions
                   ,
                   and
                   Sin.
                
                 To
                 be
                 known
                 by
                 this
                 Name
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 honoured
                 ,
                 feared
                 ,
                 believed
                 as
                 that
                 declares
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   great
                   glory
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 shall
                 this
                 fail
                 us
                 ?
                 Can
                 we
                 be
                 deceived
                 trusting
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 expecting
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 what
                 his
                 name
                 declares
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 lay
                 together
                 these
                 Considerations
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 give
                 us
                 another
                 
                   stable
                   foundation
                
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 encouragement
                 to
                 poor
                 sinful
                 souls
                 to
                 draw
                 nigh
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 for
                 Pardon
                 .
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   no
                   Name
                
                 but
                 what
                 he
                 gives
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 it
                 lawful
                 to
                 know
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 call
                 him
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 
                   calls
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 he
                 .
                 What
                 his
                 Name
                 imports
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 his
                 Nature
                 .
                 Every
                 name
                 also
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 engaged
                 in
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 proposed
                 unto
                 us
                 to
                 place
                 our
                 Trust
                 and
                 Confidence
                 in
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 his
                 name
                 and
                 his
                 memorial
                 ,
                 even
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 he
                 distinguisheth
                 himself
                 from
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 expresseth
                 it
                 as
                 the
                 principal
                 
                   Title
                   of
                   his
                   Honour
                
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 peculiar
                 Glory
                 .
                 According
                 to
                 this
                 name
                 therefore
                 all
                 that
                 believe
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 find
                 ,
                 
                   There
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 XI
                 .
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Essential
                   Properties
                
                 of
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 required
                 to
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 afford
                 us
                 further
                 Assurance
                 hereof
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 take
                 in
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Observations
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 being
                 
                   absolutely
                   perfect
                   ,
                   and
                   absolutely
                   self-sufficient
                   ,
                
                 was
                 eternally
                 glorious
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfied
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 holy
                 Excellencies
                 and
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 the
                 creation
                 of
                 all
                 or
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 putting
                 forth
                 or
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 his
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 .
                 The
                 making
                 therefore
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 depends
                 on
                 a
                 meer
                 Soveraign
                 Act
                 of
                 
                   the
                   Will
                   and
                   Pleasure
                   of
                   God.
                
                 So
                 the
                 whole
                 Creation
                 makes
                 its
                 acknowledgement
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                 Chap.
                 5.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   worthy
                   O
                   Lord
                   to
                   receive
                   Glory
                   ,
                   Honour
                   and
                   Power
                   ,
                   for
                   thou
                   hast
                   created
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   thy
                   pleasure
                   they
                   are
                   and
                   were
                   created
                   .
                
                 God
                 could
                 have
                 omitted
                 all
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 impeachment
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 .
                 Not
                 one
                 Holy
                 Property
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 diminished
                 ,
                 or
                 abated
                 in
                 its
                 
                   Eternal
                   Glory
                
                 by
                 that
                 omission
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 depended
                 on
                 a
                 pure
                 Act
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 and
                 Choice
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 On
                 supposition
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 work
                 
                   ad
                   extra
                
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Power
                 produce
                 any
                 thing
                 
                   without
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 that
                 
                   himself
                   should
                   be
                   the
                   End
                
                 of
                 his
                 so
                 doing
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 before
                 the
                 production
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 nothing
                 that
                 could
                 be
                 the
                 end
                 why
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 be
                 brought
                 forth
                 
                   out
                   of
                   nothing
                
                 ,
                 or
                 towards
                 which
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 disposed
                 :
                 So
                 God
                 being
                 
                   an
                   infinite
                   Agent
                
                 in
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Understanding
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 have
                 no
                 End
                 in
                 his
                 Actings
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 also
                 which
                 is
                 infinite
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 therefore
                 natural
                 and
                 necessary
                 unto
                 God
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 
                   for
                   himself
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 impossible
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 any
                 other
                 end
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 so
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   made
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   himself
                   .
                
                 He
                 aimed
                 at
                 himself
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 ;
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 other
                 infinite
                 Good
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 Object
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 End
                 ,
                 but
                 himself
                 alone
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 This
                 doing
                 things
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 cannot
                 intend
                 an
                 Addition
                 or
                 Acrewment
                 thereby
                 of
                 any
                 new
                 real
                 good
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 His
                 absolute
                 
                   Eternal
                   Perfection
                   and
                   Al-sufficiency
                
                 render
                 this
                 impossible
                 .
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 become
                 more
                 Powerful
                 ,
                 Great
                 ,
                 Wise
                 ,
                 Just
                 ,
                 Holy
                 ,
                 Good
                 or
                 Gracious
                 by
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 
                 works
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 .
                 He
                 can
                 add
                 nothing
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 therefore
                 be
                 the
                 
                   Manifestation
                   and
                   Declaration
                
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 intend
                 and
                 design
                 in
                 his
                 works
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 things
                 required
                 hereunto
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 
                   make
                   them
                   known
                
                 ;
                 that
                 by
                 wayes
                 suited
                 to
                 his
                 Infinite
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 he
                 both
                 declare
                 that
                 such
                 Properties
                 do
                 belong
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 them
                 according
                 as
                 the
                 creature
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 apprehend
                 .
              
               
                 
                 So
                 he
                 doth
                 things
                 
                   to
                   make
                   his
                   power
                   known
                
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   shew
                   his
                   power
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 
                   declare
                   his
                   name
                
                 through
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 17
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 So
                 it
                 was
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 creation
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   which
                   may
                   be
                   known
                   of
                   God
                
                 is
                 made
                 manifest
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 that
                 ?
                 even
                 the
                 natural
                 essential
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Being
                 ;
                 his
                 
                   Eternal
                   Power
                   and
                   Godhead
                
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 Head
                 are
                 referred
                 all
                 those
                 Promises
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 he
                 
                   would
                   glorifie
                
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 prayers
                 of
                 his
                 Saints
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Attestations
                 given
                 unto
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 so
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 made
                 known
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Self-sufficiency
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 perfections
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 
                   attain
                   an
                   Ascription
                
                 ,
                 an
                 Attribution
                 of
                 Praise
                 ,
                 and
                 Glory
                 to
                 himself
                 upon
                 their
                 account
                 .
                 His
                 design
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 
                   admired
                   in
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   believe
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thess.
                 1.
                 10.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 upon
                 an
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 revealed
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 revealed
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 admire
                 adore
                 ,
                 applaud
                 ,
                 glorifie
                 and
                 praise
                 him
                 ,
                 worship
                 ,
                 believe
                 in
                 and
                 trust
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 endeavour
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 as
                 an
                 eternal
                 reward
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 also
                 threefold
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Interpretative
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 inanimate
                 and
                 brute
                 creatures
                 ascribe
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 Properties
                 ,
                 even
                 by
                 what
                 they
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 .
                 By
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 their
                 Beings
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 and
                 inclination
                 of
                 their
                 nature
                 ,
                 they
                 give
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 that
                 
                   Wisdom
                   and
                   Power
                
                 whereby
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 that
                 Soveraignty
                 whereon
                 they
                 depend
                 .
                 Hence
                 nothing
                 more
                 frequent
                 in
                 the
                 praises
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 calling
                 of
                 the
                 
                   inanimate
                   creatures
                
                 ,
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 
                 Winds
                 ,
                 Storms
                 ,
                 Thunder
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Beasts
                   of
                   the
                   field
                
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 Praise
                 and
                 Glory
                 to
                 God.
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   what
                   they
                   are
                
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 impression
                 of
                 Gods
                 glorious
                 Excellencies
                 in
                 their
                 Effects
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 known
                 and
                 manifest
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Involuntary
                 in
                 some
                 
                   rational
                   creatures
                
                 .
                 Sinning
                 Men
                 and
                 Angels
                 have
                 no
                 design
                 ,
                 no
                 will
                 ,
                 no
                 desire
                 to
                 give
                 glory
                 to
                 God.
                 They
                 do
                 their
                 utmost
                 endeavour
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 to
                 hate
                 him
                 reproach
                 and
                 blaspheme
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 they
                 cannot
                 yet
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 yoke
                 of
                 God.
                 In
                 their
                 Minds
                 and
                 Consciences
                 they
                 are
                 forced
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 ever
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 
                   infinitely
                   Holy
                
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 Wise
                 ,
                 Powerful
                 and
                 Righteous
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 Properties
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 very
                 desires
                 that
                 he
                 were
                 otherwise
                 .
                 When
                 they
                 would
                 that
                 God
                 were
                 not
                 Just
                 to
                 punish
                 them
                 ,
                 Powerful
                 to
                 torment
                 them
                 ,
                 Wise
                 to
                 find
                 them
                 out
                 ,
                 Holy
                 to
                 be
                 displeased
                 with
                 their
                 lusts
                 and
                 sins
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 own
                 acknowledge
                 and
                 give
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Being
                   ,
                   Justice
                   ,
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   Power
                
                 and
                 Holiness
                 .
                 When
                 therefore
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 known
                 his
                 Properties
                 ,
                 the
                 Ascription
                 of
                 glory
                 unto
                 him
                 on
                 their
                 account
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 
                   rational
                   creatures
                
                 ,
                 natural
                 and
                 unavoidable
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 voluntary
                 in
                 the
                 
                   reasonable
                   service
                
                 ,
                 Worship
                 ,
                 Fear
                 ,
                 Trust
                 ,
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 of
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men.
                 God
                 having
                 revealed
                 unto
                 them
                 the
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 they
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 adore
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 their
                 confidence
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 glorifie
                 him
                 as
                 God.
                 And
                 this
                 glorifying
                 of
                 God
                 consisteth
                 in
                 three
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 making
                 the
                 
                   Excellencies
                   of
                   God
                
                 revealed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 the
                 Principle
                 and
                 Chief
                 Object
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 
                   moral
                   actings
                
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 our
                 Affections
                 .
                 To
                 
                   fear
                   the
                   Lord
                   and
                   his
                   Goodness
                   ,
                
                 and
                 to
                 fear
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ;
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 his
                 Power
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 to
                 obey
                 his
                 Authority
                 ,
                 to
                 delight
                 in
                 his
                 Will
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 to
                 love
                 him
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 and
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 
                   to
                   glorifie
                   him
                
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 pray
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   to
                   rejoyce
                   in
                
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 and
                 means
                 whereby
                 he
                 will
                 ,
                 or
                 hath
                 promised
                 further
                 to
                 manifest
                 or
                 declare
                 these
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 and
                 his
                 Glory
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 we
                 pray
                 for
                 ,
                 long
                 for
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Promises
                   of
                   God
                
                 towards
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 Threatnings
                 towards
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 fulfilling
                 of
                 the
                 glorious
                 Works
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 and
                 Grace
                 that
                 yet
                 remain
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   coming
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 of
                 the
                 approach
                 of
                 glory
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 chiefly
                 and
                 principally
                 ;
                 that
                 the
                 
                   glorious
                   Excellencies
                   of
                   Gods
                   Nature
                   may
                   be
                   made
                   more
                   manifest
                   ,
                
                 be
                 more
                 known
                 ,
                 more
                 exalted
                 ;
                 that
                 God
                 may
                 appear
                 more
                 
                   as
                   he
                   is
                
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 glory
                 to
                 God.
                 So
                 likewise
                 our
                 Joy
                 ,
                 Rejoycing
                 and
                 Satisfaction
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 ways
                 and
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 solely
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   in
                   his
                   Properties
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 is
                 revealed
                 ,
                 declared
                 and
                 made
                 known
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   joint
                   actual
                   Celebration
                   of
                   his
                   praises
                
                 ;
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Duty
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 importance
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 indeed
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 most
                 frequently
                 exhorted
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 earnestly
                 called
                 upon
                 for
                 :
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 consists
                 in
                 our
                 believing
                 rejoycing
                 expression
                 of
                 what
                 God
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 our
                 admiring
                 ,
                 adoring
                 and
                 blessing
                 him
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 Properties
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 works
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 suitable
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 praise
                 God
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Observe
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 
                   Properties
                   of
                   God
                
                 can
                 be
                 thus
                 manifested
                 and
                 known
                 ,
                 nor
                 himself
                 be
                 glorified
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   by
                   his
                   declaration
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   their
                   effects
                   .
                
                 We
                 know
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 God
                 than
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 reveal
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 I
                 mean
                 not
                 meer
                 Revelation
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 but
                 any
                 wayes
                 or
                 means
                 ,
                 whether
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 his
                 Works
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 Impressions
                 from
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Nature
                 upon
                 our
                 hearts
                 and
                 minds
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 ever
                 God
                 thus
                 
                   declares
                   of
                   himself
                
                 ;
                 He
                 doth
                 it
                 by
                 exercising
                 ,
                 putting
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 manifesting
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 we
                 know
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 proceed
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 suited
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 ever
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 thus
                 made
                 known
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 apprehend
                 nor
                 glorifie
                 God
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 God
                 therefore
                 doing
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 these
                 his
                 Properties
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 so
                 reveal
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 known
                 .
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 Upon
                 this
                 design
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 reveal
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 known
                 
                   all
                   the
                   Attributes
                   and
                   Properties
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                   ,
                
                 in
                 works
                 and
                 effects
                 peculiarly
                 proceeding
                 from
                 them
                 and
                 answering
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 
                   glorified
                   in
                   them
                
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 as
                 the
                 Event
                 manifests
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 accordingly
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 Reason
                 can
                 be
                 imagined
                 ,
                 why
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 
                   glorified
                   in
                   one
                   Essential
                   Excellency
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                   ,
                
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 another
                 ?
                 Especially
                 must
                 this
                 be
                 affirmed
                 of
                 those
                 Properties
                 of
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Event
                   manifesteth
                
                 his
                 principal
                 glory
                 to
                 consist
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 arise
                 from
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 knowledge
                 whereof
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 use
                 behoof
                 and
                 benefit
                 unto
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 men
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 his
                 design
                 towards
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 
                 6.
                 
                 These
                 things
                 being
                 so
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 consider
                 how
                 it
                 stands
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 glorified
                 or
                 manifested
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 with
                 many
                 other
                 properties
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 kind
                 .
                 But
                 his
                 
                   Soveraignty
                   ,
                   Righteousness
                
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 how
                 are
                 they
                 declared
                 hereby
                 ?
                 either
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 in
                 so
                 evident
                 a
                 manner
                 as
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 fully
                 glorified
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 doth
                 he
                 do
                 ?
                 leave
                 them
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 vailed
                 ,
                 undiscovered
                 ,
                 satisfying
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 those
                 Properties
                 which
                 his
                 work
                 of
                 Creation
                 had
                 made
                 known
                 ?
                 Was
                 there
                 any
                 Reason
                 ,
                 why
                 he
                 should
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 designing
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 for
                 himself
                 and
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 glory
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 he
                 gives
                 his
                 holy
                 Law
                 as
                 a
                 Rule
                 of
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 men
                 and
                 Angels
                 .
                 This
                 plainly
                 reveals
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 or
                 Authority
                 over
                 them
                 ,
                 his
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 the
                 Equity
                 and
                 Purity
                 of
                 things
                 he
                 required
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 these
                 Properties
                 also
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 glorified
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 
                   made
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 
                   gave
                   the
                   Law
                   for
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 his
                 Authority
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 this
                 all
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 
                   Remunerative
                   Justice
                
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Bounty
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 
                   Vindictive
                   Justice
                
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 severity
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 the
                 design
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 they
                 also
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 manifested
                 ,
                 or
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 glorified
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 he
                 did
                 also
                 in
                 the
                 Rewards
                 
                 and
                 Punishments
                 that
                 he
                 annexed
                 unto
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Obedience
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 prescribed
                 .
                 To
                 manifest
                 his
                 
                   Remunerative
                   Justice
                
                 he
                 promised
                 a
                 Reward
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Bounty
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Angels
                 that
                 sinned
                 not
                 were
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 
                   penalty
                   threatned
                
                 ,
                 which
                 sinning
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men
                 incurred
                 ,
                 he
                 revealed
                 his
                 
                   Vindictive
                   Justice
                
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 severity
                 .
                 So
                 are
                 all
                 these
                 Properties
                 of
                 God
                 made
                 known
                 by
                 their
                 Effects
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 God
                 glorified
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 on
                 their
                 account
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 are
                 there
                 
                   no
                   other
                   Properties
                
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 Divine
                 Excellencies
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 separated
                 from
                 his
                 Being
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 means
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 once
                 intimated
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 him
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Patience
                
                 ,
                 Long-suffering
                 ,
                 Compassion
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 concerning
                 which
                 observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 where
                 there
                 are
                 no
                 Objects
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 declared
                 ,
                 or
                 manifested
                 ,
                 or
                 exercised
                 .
                 As
                 Gods
                 Power
                 or
                 Wisdom
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 manifest
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 Objects
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 can
                 his
                 Grace
                 or
                 Mercy
                 .
                 If
                 never
                 any
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 exercised
                 ,
                 and
                 consequently
                 never
                 be
                 known
                 .
                 Therefore
                 were
                 they
                 not
                 revealed
                 ,
                 neither
                 by
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 nor
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 or
                 its
                 Sanction
                 ,
                 nor
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 written
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 these
                 suppose
                 
                   no
                   objects
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 and
                 Mercy
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 sinners
                 only
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 made
                 themselves
                 miserable
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 exercised
                 about
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 no
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 Gods
                 nature
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 more
                 expressive
                 of
                 Divine
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Loveliness
                 and
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 than
                 these
                 are
                 ,
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Long-suffering
                 and
                 Patience
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 God
                 so
                 requireth
                 
                   our
                   likeness
                   unto
                   him
                
                 in
                 ,
                 our
                 conformity
                 unto
                 his
                 Image
                 as
                 in
                 these
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 readiness
                 to
                 forgive
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 contrary
                 frame
                 in
                 any
                 he
                 doth
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 most
                 abhor
                 .
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   have
                   judgement
                   without
                   mercy
                   ,
                   who
                   shewed
                   no
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 certain
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 glorified
                 in
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 these
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 These
                 Properties
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 otherwise
                 exercised
                 ,
                 and
                 consequently
                 no
                 other
                 wayes
                 known
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 which
                 puts
                 it
                 beyond
                 all
                 question
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                 Forgiveness
                 with
                 God.
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 lose
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 these
                 his
                 Excellencies
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 revealed
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 known
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 glorified
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 not
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 here
                 comes
                 in
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 also
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   manifested
                   in
                   the
                   sending
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   dye
                   for
                   sin
                   .
                   And
                   from
                   the
                   Obligation
                   that
                   is
                   on
                   us
                   to
                   forgive
                   one
                   another
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 XII
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 proceed
                 unto
                 that
                 Evidence
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Center
                 wherein
                 all
                 the
                 lines
                 of
                 those
                 foregoing
                 do
                 meet
                 and
                 rest
                 :
                 The
                 fountain
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 streams
                 of
                 Refreshment
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 animates
                 and
                 gives
                 life
                 and
                 efficacy
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 lyes
                 in
                 
                   Gods
                   sending
                   of
                   his
                   Son.
                
                 The
                 consideration
                 hereof
                 will
                 leave
                 no
                 pretence
                 or
                 excuse
                 unto
                 unbelief
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 make
                 this
                 Evidence
                 more
                 clear
                 and
                 legible
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 what
                 is
                 intended
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   What
                   was
                   the
                   Rise
                   of
                   this
                   sending
                   ,
                   we
                   speak
                   of
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Who
                   it
                   was
                   that
                   was
                   sent
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   How
                   or
                   in
                   what
                   manner
                   he
                   was
                   sent
                   .
                
                 
                   4.
                   
                   Unto
                   what
                   end
                   and
                   purpose
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 the
                 Rise
                 and
                 spring
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 .
                 It
                 came
                 forth
                 from
                 the
                 Eternal
                 
                   mutual
                   consent
                   and
                   counsel
                
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 Zech.
                 6.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                   shall
                   be
                   between
                   them
                   both
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 of
                 Christ
                 
                   the
                   Branch
                
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 he
                 speaks
                 .
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   build
                   the
                   Temple
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   bear
                   the
                   glory
                   .
                   And
                   shall
                   sit
                   and
                   rule
                   upon
                   his
                   Throne
                   ;
                   and
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   Priest
                   upon
                   his
                   Throne
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                   shall
                   be
                   between
                   them
                   both
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 between
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 who
                 sends
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 himself
                 ;
                 There
                 lay
                 the
                 
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                   making
                
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 accomplished
                 by
                 him
                 who
                 
                   is
                   our
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 16.
                 
                 So
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 8.
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   I
                   was
                   by
                   him
                   as
                   one
                   brought
                   up
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   was
                   daily
                   his
                   delight
                   ;
                   rejoycing
                   alwayes
                   before
                   him
                   .
                   Rejoycing
                   in
                   the
                   habitable
                   parts
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   delights
                   were
                   with
                   the
                   Sons
                   of
                   men
                   .
                
                 They
                 are
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
                 When
                 was
                 this
                 done
                 ?
                 Then
                 I
                 was
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Why
                   before
                   the
                   Mountains
                   were
                   setled
                   ,
                   whilst
                   as
                   yet
                   he
                   had
                   not
                   made
                   the
                   Earth
                   nor
                   the
                   Fields
                
                 ;
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 creation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 eternity
                 ,
                 v.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 
                   But
                   how
                   then
                   could
                   he
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   the
                   habitable
                   parts
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ?
                
                 And
                 how
                 could
                 
                   his
                   delight
                   be
                   with
                   the
                   Sons
                   of
                   men
                
                 ?
                 seeing
                 as
                 yet
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 ?
                 I
                 answer
                 ,
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 towards
                 them
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 whereof
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 sent
                 to
                 
                   converse
                   amongst
                
                 them
                 on
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 He
                 rejoyced
                 in
                 the
                 fore-thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 being
                 sent
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 work
                 he
                 had
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Then
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 consent
                 and
                 delight
                 was
                 he
                 fore-ordained
                 unto
                 his
                 work
                 ,
                 even
                 before
                 the
                 
                   foundation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 20.
                 and
                 received
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 
                   the
                   Promise
                   of
                   eternal
                   life
                   ,
                   even
                   before
                   the
                   world
                   began
                   ,
                
                 Tit.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 unto
                 sinners
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   through
                   his
                   blood
                
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 this
                 whole
                 Counsel
                 expressed
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 40.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 Whence
                 it
                 is
                 made
                 use
                 of
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   said
                   I
                   ,
                   lo
                   I
                   come
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   volume
                   of
                   thy
                   Book
                   it
                   is
                   written
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                   I
                   delight
                   to
                   do
                   thy
                   will
                   O
                   God.
                   Thy
                   Law
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Will
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 its
                 performance
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Will
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 in
                 answer
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 delight
                 in
                 fulfilling
                 that
                 Law
                 which
                 was
                 prescribed
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 now
                 consider
                 ,
                 to
                 what
                 purpose
                 was
                 this
                 
                   Eternal
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 This
                 Agreement
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 Son
                 from
                 Eternity
                 about
                 the
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 of
                 Mankind
                 ?
                 If
                 God
                 would
                 have
                 left
                 them
                 all
                 to
                 perish
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 there
                 had
                 been
                 no
                 need
                 at
                 all
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 design
                 or
                 Counsel
                 .
                 God
                 had
                 given
                 unto
                 them
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 and
                 Holy
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 they
                 transgressed
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 threatned
                 them
                 with
                 eternal
                 destruction
                 .
                 Under
                 the
                 Rule
                 disposal
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 
                   this
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 righteously
                 left
                 them
                 to
                 stand
                 or
                 fall
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 verdict
                 and
                 sentence
                 thereof
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 he
                 assures
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 reveals
                 unto
                 us
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 other
                 thoughts
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 that
                 there
                 were
                 other
                 Counsels
                 between
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   and
                   the
                   Son
                
                 concerning
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 Son
                 was
                 delighted
                 in
                 the
                 prospect
                 of
                 his
                 Accomplishment
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 these
                 thoughts
                 and
                 counsels
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 about
                 a
                 way
                 for
                 their
                 
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 which
                 could
                 no
                 otherwise
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ?
                 For
                 whatever
                 else
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 
                   God
                   mark
                   iniquities
                   there
                   is
                   none
                   can
                   stand
                   .
                
                 Hearken
                 therefore
                 
                   poor
                   sinner
                
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 hope
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 consulting
                 about
                 thy
                 deliverance
                 and
                 freedom
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 cannot
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 Son
                 effect
                 and
                 accomplish
                 ?
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 was
                 the
                 Son
                 sent
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 
                   second
                   thing
                
                 proposed
                 to
                 Consideration
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Whom
                   did
                   God
                   send
                   about
                   this
                   business
                   ?
                
                 The
                 Scripture
                 layes
                 great
                 weight
                 and
                 Emphasis
                 on
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 faith
                 must
                 do
                 so
                 also
                 :
                 John
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   God
                   so
                   loved
                   the
                   world
                   that
                   he
                   gave
                   his
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                
                 :
                 So
                 1
                 John
                 4.
                 9.
                 
                 In
                 this
                 was
                 manifested
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 because
                 that
                 God
                 sent
                 his
                 
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   might
                   live
                   through
                   him
                   .
                
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 v.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Herein
                   is
                   love
                   ,
                   not
                   that
                   we
                   loved
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   he
                   loved
                   us
                   :
                   and
                   sent
                
                 his
                 Son
                 
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   propitiations
                   of
                   our
                   sins
                   .
                
                 And
                 who
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 is
                 thus
                 sent
                 and
                 called
                 the
                 
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 ?
                 Take
                 a
                 double
                 description
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 one
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 from
                 the
                 new
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 from
                 Isa.
                 9.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   To
                   us
                   a
                   Child
                   is
                   born
                   ,
                   to
                   us
                   a
                   Son
                   is
                   given
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Government
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   his
                   shoulders
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   name
                   shall
                   be
                   called
                   Wonderful
                   ,
                   Counsellor
                   ,
                   the
                   mighty
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   everlasting
                   Father
                   ,
                   the
                   Prince
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 :
                 The
                 other
                 from
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   spoken
                   unto
                   us
                   by
                   his
                   Son
                   ,
                   whom
                   he
                   hath
                   appointed
                   heir
                   of
                   all
                   ,
                   by
                   whom
                   also
                   he
                   made
                   the
                   worlds
                   ,
                   who
                   being
                   the
                   brightness
                   of
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   express
                   Image
                   of
                   his
                   Person
                   ,
                   upholding
                   all
                   things
                   by
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   his
                   power
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   had
                   by
                   himself
                   purged
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                   sate
                   down
                   on
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   Majesty
                   on
                   high
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 he
                 who
                 
                   was
                   sent
                
                 ;
                 in
                 Nature
                 he
                 was
                 glorious
                 ;
                 even
                 over
                 all
                 God
                 blessed
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 
                   In
                   Answerableness
                
                 unto
                 the
                 Father
                 ;
                 the
                 brightness
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   express
                   Image
                   of
                   his
                   person
                
                 :
                 possessed
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 same
                 essential
                 Properties
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 what
                 we
                 find
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 assured
                 of
                 in
                 the
                 Father
                 also
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 seen
                 him
                 ,
                 hath
                 seen
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 In
                 
                   Power
                   ,
                   Omnipotent
                
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 
                   made
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 and
                 upholding
                 all
                 things
                 with
                 an
                 unspeakable
                 facility
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 .
                 In
                 Office
                 ,
                 exalted
                 over
                 all
                 ,
                 sitting
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Majesty
                 on
                 high
                 .
                 In
                 Name
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Mighty
                   God
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Everlasting
                   Father
                
                 ;
                 so
                 
                 that
                 whatever
                 he
                 came
                 about
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 assuredly
                 accomplish
                 and
                 fulfill
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 should
                 hinder
                 or
                 let
                 this
                 
                   Mighty
                   One
                
                 from
                 perfecting
                 his
                 design
                 ?
              
               
                 Now
                 this
                 consideration
                 raiseth
                 our
                 Evidence
                 to
                 that
                 height
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 give
                 us
                 an
                 unquestionable
                 Assurance
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 near
                 and
                 a
                 
                   particular
                   Object
                
                 for
                 faith
                 to
                 be
                 exercised
                 about
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 did
                 this
                 glorious
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 come
                 and
                 Tabernacle
                 amongst
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ?
                 
                   We
                   beheld
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   Eternal
                   Word
                   ,
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   only
                   begotten
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   was
                   made
                   flesh
                   ,
                
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   pitched
                   his
                   Tabernacle
                   amongst
                   us
                   ,
                
                 John
                 1.
                 14.
                 
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 no
                 other
                 but
                 to
                 work
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 accomplish
                 the
                 
                   Eternal
                   Counsel
                   of
                   Peace
                   towards
                   sinners
                
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 to
                 procure
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 declare
                 unto
                 them
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 greater
                 evidence
                 ,
                 what
                 greater
                 Assurance
                 can
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 for
                 us
                 ?
                 he
                 himself
                 hath
                 given
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 Rule
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 giving
                 an
                 
                   only
                   begotten
                
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 
                   only
                   beloved
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 gives
                 assured
                 Testimony
                 of
                 reality
                 and
                 sincerity
                 in
                 the
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 confirmed
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 sayes
                 unto
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 22.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Now
                   I
                   know
                   that
                   thou
                   fearest
                   God
                   ,
                   seeing
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   not
                   withheld
                   thy
                   Son
                   ,
                   thy
                   only
                   Son
                   from
                   me
                   .
                
                 This
                 way
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 ,
                 or
                 no
                 way
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 are
                 blessed
                 Conclusions
                 that
                 faith
                 may
                 make
                 from
                 this
                 consideration
                 ;
                 now
                 
                   I
                   know
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 seeing
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 withheld
                 
                   his
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 his
                 
                   only
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 accomplish
                 it
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 purpose
                 the
                 Apostle
                 teacheth
                 us
                 to
                 reason
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 32.
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   spared
                   not
                   his
                   own
                   Son
                   ,
                   but
                   delivered
                   him
                   up
                   for
                   us
                   all
                   ,
                   how
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   with
                   him
                   also
                   freely
                   give
                   us
                   all
                   things
                   ?
                
              
               
                 What
                 further
                 can
                 any
                 soul
                 desire
                 ?
                 What
                 ground
                 remains
                 for
                 unbelief
                 to
                 stand
                 upon
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 thing
                 more
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 herein
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 to
                 manifest
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 sent
                 his
                 Son
                 ;
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 afterwards
                 more
                 fully
                 appear
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 To
                 this
                 sending
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 evidence
                 and
                 security
                 added
                 from
                 the
                 Manner
                 wherein
                 he
                 was
                 sent
                 .
                 How
                 was
                 this
                 ?
                 Not
                 in
                 Glory
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 an
                 open
                 discovery
                 of
                 his
                 Eternal
                 Power
                 and
                 Godhead
                 .
                 Had
                 
                 it
                 been
                 so
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 have
                 thought
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 come
                 meerly
                 to
                 manifest
                 and
                 glorifie
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 done
                 without
                 thoughts
                 of
                 mercy
                 or
                 Pardon
                 towards
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 came
                 quite
                 in
                 another
                 manner
                 :
                 He
                 was
                 seen
                 in
                 the
                 
                   likeness
                   of
                   sinful
                   flesh
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8
                 3.
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   form
                   of
                   a
                   servant
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 Being
                 
                   made
                   of
                   a
                   woman
                   ,
                   made
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 4.
                 4.
                 
                 What
                 he
                 endured
                 ,
                 suffered
                 ,
                 underwent
                 in
                 that
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 known
                 unto
                 us
                 all
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 meerly
                 ,
                 and
                 firstly
                 for
                 himself
                 .
                 All
                 that
                 he
                 expected
                 at
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   to
                   be
                   glorified
                   with
                   that
                   glory
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   before
                   the
                   world
                   was
                   ,
                
                 John
                 17.
                 5.
                 
                 It
                 must
                 then
                 be
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 what
                 ?
                 to
                 save
                 and
                 deliver
                 us
                 from
                 that
                 condition
                 of
                 wrath
                 at
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 future
                 expectation
                 of
                 Vengeance
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 had
                 cast
                 our selves
                 into
                 by
                 sin
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 procure
                 for
                 us
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 Had
                 not
                 God
                 designed
                 
                   Pardon
                   for
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 sent
                 his
                 Son
                 
                   in
                   this
                   manner
                
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 it
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 did
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 could
                 no
                 other
                 way
                 be
                 brought
                 about
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 .
                 Do
                 we
                 doubt
                 whether
                 there
                 be
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 or
                 whether
                 we
                 shall
                 obtain
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 address
                 our selves
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Consider
                 the
                 
                   Condition
                   of
                   his
                   Son
                   in
                   the
                   world
                
                 ;
                 review
                 his
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 Sorrows
                 ,
                 Sufferings
                 ;
                 Then
                 ask
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 was
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 find
                 any
                 other
                 design
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 Reason
                 ,
                 Cause
                 ,
                 or
                 Necessity
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 and
                 meerly
                 to
                 testifie
                 and
                 declare
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 purchase
                 and
                 procure
                 the
                 Communication
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 abide
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 perish
                 under
                 our
                 fears
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 sufficient
                 warranty
                 to
                 assure
                 our
                 souls
                 in
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Besides
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 there
                 ensues
                 upon
                 what
                 went
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 great
                 and
                 wonderfull
                 Issue
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God.
                
                 This
                 thing
                 was
                 great
                 and
                 marvellous
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 may
                 a
                 little
                 enquire
                 into
                 what
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 
                   designed
                   therein
                   .
                   And
                   hereof
                   the
                   Scripture
                
                 gives
                 us
                 a
                 full
                 account
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 dyed
                 to
                 make
                 
                   Attonement
                   for
                   Sin
                   ,
                   or
                   Reconciliation
                   for
                   Iniquity
                   ,
                
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
                 He
                 gave
                 his
                 life
                 a
                 ransom
                 for
                 the
                 
                   sins
                   of
                   many
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 20.
                 28.
                 1
                 
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 6.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 in
                 it
                 made
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   others
                   might
                   become
                   the
                   righteousness
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 3.
                 
                 Therein
                 he
                 bare
                 our
                 
                   sins
                   in
                   his
                   body
                   on
                   the
                   Tree
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 24.
                 
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 Notwithstanding
                 all
                 the
                 Love
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 condescention
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 yet
                 our
                 sins
                 were
                 of
                 that
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 directly
                 opposite
                 unto
                 the
                 Justice
                 and
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 unless
                 Attonement
                 were
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Price
                 of
                 Redemption
                 paid
                 ,
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 obtained
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 he
                 
                   undertook
                   to
                   do
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 himself
                 ;
                 answering
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 prefigured
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 represented
                 in
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   largely
                   declares
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 herein
                 is
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 copied
                 out
                 and
                 exemplified
                 so
                 clearly
                 and
                 evidently
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 cannot
                 read
                 it
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 
                   cursed
                   unto
                   Eternity
                
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 accursed
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 required
                 to
                 justifie
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 eternal
                 destruction
                 ?
                 He
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 his
                 Grace
                 as
                 testified
                 and
                 exemplified
                 in
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 perish
                 without
                 remedy
                 .
                 Yea
                 but
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Curse
                   and
                   Sentence
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 lyes
                 on
                 record
                 against
                 sinners
                 .
                 It
                 puts
                 in
                 its
                 Demands
                 against
                 our
                 acquittance
                 ,
                 and
                 layes
                 an
                 obligation
                 upon
                 us
                 unto
                 punishment
                 .
                 And
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 reject
                 ,
                 nor
                 destroy
                 his
                 Law
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 be
                 answered
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 acceptance
                 for
                 sinners
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 his
                 death
                 was
                 designed
                 unto
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 satisfied
                 and
                 made
                 Attonement
                 by
                 it
                 unto
                 Justice
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 fountain
                 ,
                 spring
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 )
                 so
                 he
                 fulfilled
                 and
                 answered
                 the
                 demands
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 an
                 
                   Effect
                   of
                   the
                   Justice
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 So
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 13.
                 
                 He
                 suffered
                 in
                 
                   the
                   likeness
                   of
                   sinful
                   flesh
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   might
                   be
                   fulfilled
                   ,
                
                 and
                 answered
                 .
                 He
                 answered
                 the
                 
                   Curse
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 
                   made
                   a
                   Curse
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 became
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Obedience
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   for
                   Righteousness
                   unto
                   them
                   that
                   do
                   believe
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 penalty
                 that
                 it
                 threatned
                 ,
                 he
                 bore
                 it
                 ,
                 removed
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 took
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 So
                 hath
                 he
                 made
                 way
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 through
                 the
                 very
                 
                   heart
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 it
                 hath
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 to
                 speak
                 against
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 do
                 believe
                 .
                 But
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Sinners
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 ;
                 he
                 layes
                 a
                 claim
                 
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 rescued
                 from
                 his
                 interest
                 and
                 dominion
                 ?
                 This
                 also
                 his
                 death
                 was
                 designed
                 to
                 accomplish
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 
                   manifest
                   to
                   destroy
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 So
                 by
                 
                   death
                   he
                   destroyed
                   him
                   that
                   had
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 despoil
                 him
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 destroy
                 his
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 his
                 plea
                 unto
                 sinners
                 that
                 believe
                 ;
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 at
                 large
                 elsewhere
                 declared
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 by
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 with
                 many
                 other
                 concernments
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 that
                 might
                 be
                 instanced
                 in
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 abundantly
                 secured
                 of
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                
                 :
                 And
                 of
                 his
                 willingness
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Is
                 this
                 all
                 ?
                 Did
                 his
                 Work
                 cease
                 in
                 his
                 death
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 no
                 more
                 for
                 the
                 securing
                 of
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 dyed
                 for
                 them
                 ?
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   lives
                   also
                   after
                   death
                
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 end
                 and
                 purpose
                 .
                 This
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 that
                 nature
                 which
                 he
                 assumed
                 to
                 expiate
                 sin
                 by
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   lives
                   again
                   after
                   death
                
                 to
                 secure
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 compleat
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 two
                 wayes
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Being
                 raised
                 from
                 that
                 death
                 which
                 he
                 underwent
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 Attonement
                 for
                 sin
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 and
                 Good
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 evidenceth
                 and
                 testifieth
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 fully
                 
                   performed
                   the
                   work
                
                 he
                 undertook
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 our
                 behalf
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 received
                 a
                 discharge
                 .
                 Had
                 he
                 not
                 answered
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 ▪
                 he
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 raised
                 from
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 lives
                 after
                 death
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   Mediatory
                   Life
                
                 to
                 make
                 intercession
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 receive
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 as
                 also
                 himself
                 to
                 give
                 it
                 out
                 unto
                 us
                 :
                 which
                 things
                 are
                 frequently
                 made
                 use
                 of
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 shall
                 not
                 at
                 present
                 be
                 further
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 then
                 stands
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 that
                 Mercy
                 might
                 have
                 a
                 way
                 to
                 exercise
                 it self
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 consistency
                 unto
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 so
                 sent
                 for
                 the
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Now
                 herein
                 consisteth
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   Work
                
                 that
                 God
                 did
                 ever
                 perform
                 ,
                 or
                 ever
                 will.
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 most
                 
                   eminent
                   product
                
                 of
                 Infinite
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Power
                 .
                 And
                 herein
                 do
                 all
                 the
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 God
                 shine
                 forth
                 more
                 gloriously
                 than
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 wisely
                 ponder
                 and
                 consider
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 let
                 us
                 bring
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 with
                 their
                 Objections
                 unto
                 this
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 what
                 exception
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 lay
                 against
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 nothing
                 will
                 satisfie
                 unbelief
                 :
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 soul
                 find
                 that
                 to
                 
                   be
                   Iso
                   hereafter
                
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 would
                 perswade
                 it
                 of
                 here
                 ;
                 namely
                 ;
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God.
                
                 And
                 Satan
                 ,
                 who
                 makes
                 use
                 of
                 this
                 Engine
                 ,
                 knows
                 full
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 for
                 them
                 who
                 believe
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 ;
                 or
                 rather
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 will
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 be
                 unto
                 men
                 according
                 unto
                 their
                 faith
                 or
                 unbelief
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 aright
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   forgiveness
                   is
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 particulars
                 shall
                 neither
                 of
                 them
                 be
                 deceived
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 reasonably
                 excepted
                 against
                 this
                 evidence
                 ,
                 this
                 foundation
                 of
                 our
                 faith
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 God
                 
                   hath
                   not
                   sent
                   his
                   Son
                
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 he
                 must
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 not
                 designed
                 to
                 manifest
                 and
                 exercise
                 forgiveness
                 towards
                 sinners
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 to
                 confirm
                 our
                 faith
                 from
                 hence
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 make
                 a
                 little
                 search
                 into
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 particular
                 enquiries
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Seeing
                 the
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   dyed
                
                 in
                 that
                 way
                 and
                 manner
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 determinate
                 Counsel
                 and
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 did
                 he
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 aimed
                 he
                 at
                 therein
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 is
                 plain
                 that
                 he
                 
                   dyed
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 25.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 reconciliation
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 This
                 Moses
                 and
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 this
                 the
                 whole
                 Scripture
                 testifieth
                 unto
                 ;
                 and
                 without
                 a
                 supposal
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 of
                 it
                 can
                 be
                 aright
                 believed
                 .
                 Nor
                 can
                 we
                 yield
                 any
                 due
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 God
                 without
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 did
                 God
                 do
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 What
                 was
                 in
                 transaction
                 between
                 God
                 as
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 
                   Mediator
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 God
                 indeed
                 laid
                 
                   on
                   him
                   the
                   iniquities
                   of
                   us
                   all
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 6.
                 all
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Elect
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 he
                 made
                 him
                 a
                 
                   curse
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 making
                 him
                 a
                 sin
                 offering
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 
                   offering
                   for
                   sin
                   ,
                   he
                   condemned
                   sin
                   in
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8
                 ▪
                 3.
                 2
                 
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 21.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Justice
                 or
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 had
                 to
                 require
                 about
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 was
                 all
                 laid
                 and
                 executed
                 on
                 him
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 did
                 Christ
                 do
                 in
                 his
                 death
                 ?
                 What
                 did
                 he
                 aim
                 at
                 and
                 design
                 ?
                 What
                 was
                 his
                 intention
                 in
                 submitting
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 undergoing
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   He
                   bare
                   our
                   sins
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   body
                   upon
                   the
                   Tree
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   He
                   took
                   our
                   sins
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                
                 undertook
                 to
                 answer
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   pay
                   our
                   debts
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 difference
                 about
                 them
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 sinners
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
                 His
                 aim
                 undoubtedly
                 was
                 by
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 underwent
                 and
                 suffered
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 make
                 Attonement
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 no
                 more
                 could
                 on
                 that
                 account
                 be
                 expected
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Had
                 God
                 any
                 more
                 
                   to
                   require
                
                 of
                 sinners
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Justice
                 might
                 be
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 his
                 Holiness
                 vindicated
                 ,
                 his
                 Glory
                 exalted
                 ,
                 his
                 Honour
                 be
                 repaired
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 he
                 charged
                 on
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 lay
                 
                   somewhat
                   of
                   the
                   penalty
                
                 due
                 to
                 sin
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 execute
                 
                   some
                   part
                
                 of
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 reserve
                 some
                 wrath
                 for
                 sinners
                 themselves
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 doubtless
                 :
                 
                   He
                   came
                   to
                   do
                   the
                   whole
                   Will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 God
                 
                   spared
                   him
                   not
                
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 in
                 his
                 holy
                 will
                 he
                 had
                 appointed
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 32.
                 
                 He
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 so
                 dealt
                 with
                 
                   his
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 made
                 an
                 half
                 work
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 nor
                 is
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 making
                 satisfaction
                 for
                 sin
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 any
                 ,
                 the
                 least
                 part
                 of
                 it
                 should
                 ever
                 be
                 undertaken
                 by
                 another
                 .
                 Nothing
                 is
                 more
                 injurious
                 ,
                 or
                 blasphemous
                 against
                 God
                 and
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 foolish
                 imagination
                 among
                 the
                 Papists
                 of
                 works
                 satisfactory
                 for
                 the
                 
                   punishment
                   due
                   to
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 As
                 also
                 is
                 their
                 Purgatory
                 pains
                 to
                 expiate
                 any
                 remaining
                 guilt
                 after
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 This
                 work
                 of
                 
                   making
                   satisfaction
                   for
                   sin
                
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 no
                 creature
                 in
                 Heaven
                 or
                 Earth
                 can
                 put
                 forth
                 an
                 hand
                 unto
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 wholly
                 committed
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 who
                 alone
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 undertake
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 hath
                 perfectly
                 accomplished
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 God
                 now
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   fury
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   me
                
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 will
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 my
                 strength
                 
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   have
                   peace
                
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 peace
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 21.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 
                   became
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Christ
                
                 in
                 his
                 undertaking
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 go
                 through
                 with
                 it
                 ?
                 or
                 did
                 he
                 faint
                 under
                 it
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 only
                 testifie
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 his
                 good
                 will
                 for
                 our
                 deliverance
                 ?
                 or
                 did
                 also
                 effectually
                 pursue
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 faint
                 ,
                 until
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 a
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 
                   exercise
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 possible
                 that
                 
                   he
                   should
                   be
                   detained
                   by
                   the
                   pains
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 2.
                 24.
                 
                 He
                 knew
                 before
                 hand
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 
                   carried
                   through
                   his
                   work
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 forsaken
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 saint
                 under
                 it
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 50.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 this
                 unquestionable
                 evidence
                 of
                 his
                 
                   discharge
                   of
                   the
                   debt
                   of
                   sin
                
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 acquitted
                 from
                 the
                 whole
                 account
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 
                   raised
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 given
                 up
                 to
                 prison
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   sentence
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 for
                 the
                 debt
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 freed
                 ,
                 untill
                 he
                 have
                 paid
                 the
                 utmost
                 farthing
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 he
                 manifested
                 himself
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 
                   Resurrection
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 What
                 then
                 is
                 now
                 become
                 of
                 him
                 ?
                 Where
                 is
                 he
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 doth
                 he
                 ?
                 Hath
                 he
                 so
                 done
                 his
                 work
                 and
                 laid
                 it
                 aside
                 ,
                 or
                 doth
                 he
                 
                   still
                   continue
                
                 to
                 carry
                 it
                 on
                 until
                 it
                 be
                 brought
                 unto
                 its
                 perfection
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   was
                   dead
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   is
                   alive
                   ,
                
                 and
                 lives
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 told
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 because
                 
                   he
                   liveth
                   we
                   shall
                   live
                   also
                
                 ;
                 And
                 that
                 ,
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 
                   mediatory
                   life
                
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 he
                 lives
                 for
                 
                   ever
                   to
                   make
                   Intercession
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 procured
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 communicated
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 ground
                 is
                 left
                 of
                 questioning
                 the
                 Truth
                 in
                 hand
                 ?
                 What
                 
                   link
                   of
                   this
                   Chain
                
                 can
                 unbelief
                 break
                 in
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 ?
                 If
                 men
                 resolve
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 this
                 Evidence
                 and
                 Assurance
                 that
                 is
                 tendred
                 unto
                 them
                 thereof
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 yet
                 believe
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 attempt
                 the
                 
                   securing
                   of
                   it
                
                 unto
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 despise
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 thing
                 not
                 worth
                 the
                 looking
                 after
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 for
                 them
                 that
                 declare
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   preach
                   these
                   things
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 a
                 
                   sweet
                   savour
                
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 
                   that
                   perish
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 saved
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 bless
                 God
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 had
                 this
                 Opportunity
                 to
                 bear
                 Testimony
                 to
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 received
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   this
                   world
                   hath
                   blinded
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   of
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   should
                   not
                   shine
                   into
                   their
                   minds
                   .
                
                 But
                 Christ
                 will
                 be
                 glorified
                 in
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 on
                 these
                 principles
                 and
                 foundations
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 XIII
                 .
                 Another
                 Evidence
                 of
                 the
                 
                   same
                   Truth
                
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 hence
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 requires
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   us
                
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 forgive
                 one
                 another
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 doubtless
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 The
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 Consideration
                 unto
                 our
                 present
                 purpose
                 will
                 be
                 manifest
                 in
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Observations
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 required
                 this
                 of
                 us
                 :
                 The
                 Testimonies
                 hereof
                 are
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 known
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 need
                 not
                 particularly
                 to
                 be
                 repeated
                 or
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 See
                 Luke
                 17.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 32.
                 
                 Matth.
                 18
                 24.
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 Only
                 there
                 are
                 some
                 things
                 that
                 put
                 a
                 singular
                 Emphasis
                 upon
                 this
                 Command
                 ,
                 manifesting
                 the
                 great
                 importance
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 marked
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 our
                 Saviour
                 requires
                 us
                 to
                 carry
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 Integrity
                 and
                 Sincerity
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 along
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Addresses
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 .
                 Hence
                 he
                 teacheth
                 and
                 enjoyns
                 us
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 or
                 plead
                 for
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   our
                   debts
                
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 our
                 sins
                 or
                 trespasses
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 us
                 debtors
                 to
                 his
                 Law
                 and
                 Justice
                 ,
                 )
                 even
                 as
                 we
                 
                   forgive
                   them
                
                 that
                 
                   so
                   trespass
                   or
                   offend
                   against
                
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 our
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 12.
                 
                 Many
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 devour
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 not
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Words
                 of
                 that
                 
                   Rule
                   of
                   Prayer
                
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 prescribed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 
                   precisely
                   read
                
                 or
                 repeated
                 every
                 day
                 ;
                 I
                 wish
                 they
                 would
                 as
                 
                   heedfully
                   mind
                
                 that
                 prescription
                 which
                 is
                 given
                 us
                 herein
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 and
                 spirit
                 which
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 supplications
                 .
                 It
                 might
                 possibly
                 abate
                 of
                 their
                 wrath
                 in
                 that
                 and
                 other
                 things
                 .
                 
                   But
                   here
                   is
                   a
                   Rule
                   for
                   all
                   prayer
                   ,
                
                 as
                 all
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 as
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 requisite
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 acceptable
                 .
                 This
                 in
                 particular
                 is
                 required
                 ,
                 that
                 before
                 the
                 
                   searcher
                   of
                   all
                   hearts
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 our
                 addresses
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 greatest
                 concernments
                 ,
                 we
                 
                   profess
                   our
                   sincerity
                
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 put
                 our
                 obtaining
                 of
                 what
                 we
                 desire
                 upon
                 that
                 issue
                 .
                 This
                 a
                 
                   great
                   Crown
                
                 that
                 is
                 put
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   head
                   of
                   this
                   duty
                
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 makes
                 it
                 very
                 eminent
                 ,
                 and
                 evidenceth
                 the
                 great
                 concern
                 of
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 therein
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 We
                 may
                 observe
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 other
                 duty
                 whatever
                 is
                 expresly
                 placed
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 
                   series
                   ,
                   order
                   ,
                   or
                   rank
                
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 which
                 makes
                 it
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 singled
                 out
                 to
                 be
                 professed
                 as
                 a
                 token
                 and
                 pledge
                 of
                 our
                 sincerity
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 parts
                 of
                 our
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 by
                 Christ
                 himself
                 made
                 the
                 instance
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 tryal
                 of
                 our
                 sincerity
                 in
                 our
                 
                   Universal
                   Obedience
                
                 ,
                 which
                 gives
                 no
                 small
                 honour
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 puts
                 great
                 weight
                 on
                 the
                 
                   Fifth
                   Commandment
                   ,
                   Honour
                   thy
                   Father
                   and
                   Mother
                   ,
                
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Commandment
                   with
                   promise
                
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 All
                 the
                 Commandments
                 indeed
                 had
                 a
                 promise
                 ,
                 Do
                 this
                 and
                 live
                 ;
                 life
                 was
                 promised
                 to
                 the
                 observance
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 :
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 that
                 had
                 a
                 
                   peculiar
                   promise
                
                 annexed
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 accompanying
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 was
                 such
                 a
                 Promise
                 ,
                 as
                 had
                 a
                 peculiar
                 foundation
                 through
                 Gods
                 Ordinance
                 in
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Parents
                 should
                 prolong
                 the
                 lives
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 that
                 were
                 obedient
                 .
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 Exod.
                 20.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   prolong
                   thy
                   dayes
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 praying
                 for
                 their
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 blessing
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 directing
                 them
                 in
                 those
                 wayes
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 might
                 live
                 and
                 possess
                 the
                 Land.
                 And
                 this
                 Promise
                 is
                 now
                 translated
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Canaan
                
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 .
                 The
                 
                   blessing
                   of
                   Parents
                
                 going
                 far
                 towards
                 the
                 interesting
                 their
                 Children
                 in
                 the
                 Promise
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 
                   prolonging
                   their
                   dayes
                
                 unto
                 eternity
                 ,
                 though
                 their
                 dayes
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 should
                 be
                 of
                 little
                 continuance
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   should
                   see
                   his
                   seed
                   ,
                   and
                   prolong
                   his
                   dayes
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 10.
                 
                 Which
                 hath
                 carried
                 over
                 that
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 signified
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 unto
                 eternal
                 things
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 singular
                 Promise
                 made
                 to
                 that
                 Command
                 ,
                 renders
                 it
                 singular
                 ,
                 so
                 doth
                 this
                 especial
                 instancing
                 in
                 this
                 duty
                 in
                 our
                 prayer
                 ,
                 render
                 it
                 also
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 Commandments
                 had
                 a
                 Promise
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 carry
                 a
                 Testimony
                 with
                 us
                 of
                 our
                 sincerity
                 in
                 
                   Universal
                   Obedience
                
                 in
                 our
                 addresses
                 unto
                 God
                 :
                 yet
                 the
                 singling
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 instance
                 renders
                 it
                 exceeding
                 remarkable
                 ;
                 and
                 shewes
                 what
                 a
                 value
                 God
                 puts
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 well
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 God
                 requires
                 this
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   us
                
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   we
                   receive
                   from
                   him
                
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 put
                 the
                 greatest
                 obligation
                 upon
                 us
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 :
                 
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 strongest
                 and
                 most
                 powerful
                 motive
                 possible
                 unto
                 its
                 performance
                 :
                 See
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 32.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 That
                 this
                 duty
                 is
                 more
                 directly
                 and
                 expresly
                 required
                 in
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Testament
                
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 Old.
                 Required
                 then
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 so
                 openly
                 ,
                 so
                 plainly
                 ,
                 so
                 expresly
                 as
                 now
                 .
                 Hence
                 we
                 find
                 a
                 different
                 frame
                 of
                 Spirit
                 between
                 them
                 under
                 that
                 dispensation
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 under
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 found
                 amongst
                 them
                 some
                 such
                 Reflections
                 upon
                 their
                 enemies
                 ,
                 their
                 Oppressors
                 ,
                 Persecutors
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 as
                 although
                 they
                 were
                 warranted
                 by
                 some
                 actings
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 being
                 suited
                 unto
                 the
                 Dispensation
                 they
                 were
                 under
                 ,
                 do
                 no
                 way
                 become
                 us
                 now
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 receive
                 
                   grace
                   for
                   grace
                
                 .
                 So
                 Zechariah
                 when
                 he
                 dyed
                 ,
                 cryed
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   look
                   on
                   ,
                   and
                   require
                
                 ;
                 but
                 Stephen
                 dying
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 cause
                 and
                 manner
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   lay
                   not
                   this
                   sin
                   to
                   their
                   charge
                   .
                   Elijah
                
                 called
                 for
                 
                   fire
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 :
                 But
                 our
                 Saviour
                 reproves
                 the
                 least
                 inclination
                 in
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 to
                 imitate
                 him
                 therein
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 this
                 difference
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 is
                 under
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 far
                 more
                 clearly
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 discovered
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   brought
                   life
                   and
                   immortality
                   to
                   light
                   ,
                
                 than
                 it
                 was
                 under
                 the
                 Law.
                 For
                 all
                 our
                 Obedience
                 both
                 in
                 matter
                 and
                 manner
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 suited
                 unto
                 the
                 discoveries
                 and
                 Revelation
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 This
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   others
                
                 ,
                 is
                 made
                 an
                 express
                 Condition
                 of
                 our
                 
                   obtaining
                   Pardon
                   and
                   Forgiveness
                   from
                   God.
                
                 Mat
                 6.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 nature
                 hereof
                 is
                 expresly
                 declared
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 18.
                 24.
                 
                 Such
                 
                   Evangelical
                   Conditions
                
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 many
                 .
                 I
                 confess
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 
                   causal
                   influence
                
                 into
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 the
                 Promise
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 non-performance
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 sufficient
                 barr
                 against
                 our
                 pretending
                 to
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 a
                 sufficient
                 evidence
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 
                   pleadable
                   interest
                
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 Our
                 
                   forgiving
                   of
                   others
                
                 will
                 not
                 procure
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 our selves
                 :
                 But
                 our
                 
                   not
                   forgiving
                
                 of
                 others
                 proves
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 our selves
                 are
                 not
                 forgiven
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 do
                 shew
                 what
                 weight
                 God
                 himself
                 layes
                 on
                 this
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Observe
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 Duty
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 more
                 comely
                 ,
                 useful
                 ,
                 or
                 honourable
                 unto
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   praise
                   worthy
                
                 in
                 any
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 due
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 morose
                 ,
                 implacable
                 ,
                 
                 inexorable
                 ,
                 revengeful
                 ,
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 degeneracies
                 of
                 humane
                 nature
                 .
                 And
                 no
                 men
                 are
                 commonly
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 more
                 branded
                 with
                 real
                 infamy
                 and
                 dishonour
                 amongst
                 Wise
                 and
                 Good
                 men
                 ,
                 than
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 frame
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 act
                 accordingly
                 .
                 To
                 remember
                 Injuries
                 ,
                 to
                 retain
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 Wrongs
                 ,
                 to
                 watch
                 for
                 Opportunities
                 of
                 Revenge
                 ,
                 to
                 hate
                 and
                 be
                 malitiously
                 perverse
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 represent
                 the
                 
                   Image
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                
                 unto
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 colours
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 
                   great
                   Enemy
                   and
                   self
                   avenger
                
                 :
                 On
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 no
                 Grace
                 ,
                 no
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 no
                 Duty
                 ,
                 no
                 Ornament
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 or
                 Conversation
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 it self
                 so
                 lovely
                 ,
                 so
                 comely
                 ,
                 so
                 praise
                 worthy
                 ,
                 or
                 so
                 useful
                 unto
                 mankind
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 
                   Meekness
                   ,
                   Readiness
                   to
                   forgive
                   and
                   pardon
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 principally
                 which
                 renders
                 a
                 man
                 a
                 
                   good
                   man
                
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 one
                 
                   would
                   even
                   dare
                   to
                   dye
                
                 :
                 And
                 I
                 am
                 sorry
                 to
                 add
                 that
                 this
                 Grace
                 or
                 duty
                 is
                 recommended
                 by
                 its
                 raritie
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 little
                 found
                 amongst
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 defect
                 of
                 men
                 herein
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 those
                 other
                 fundamental
                 duties
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 in
                 self-denyal
                 ,
                 readiness
                 for
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 forsaking
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 how
                 
                   little
                   sincerity
                
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 Yet
                 at
                 least
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 how
                 little
                 growing
                 ,
                 and
                 thriving
                 there
                 is
                 amongst
                 Professors
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 
                   no
                   Grace
                   ,
                   Vertue
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Perfection
                 in
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 as
                 an
                 Emanation
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Divine
                   Goodness
                   and
                   Bounty
                
                 ,
                 so
                 expressive
                 of
                 some
                 
                   Divine
                   Excellencies
                
                 or
                 perfection
                 ;
                 somewhat
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 and
                 manner
                 
                   Infinitely
                   more
                   Excellent
                
                 .
                 We
                 were
                 created
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Whatever
                 was
                 good
                 or
                 comely
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 that
                 Image
                 :
                 Especially
                 the
                 Ornaments
                 of
                 our
                 Minds
                 ,
                 the
                 perfections
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 had
                 in
                 them
                 a
                 resemblance
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 correspondency
                 unto
                 
                   some
                   excellencies
                
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Analogie
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 reduced
                 .
                 This
                 being
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 lost
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 a
                 shadow
                 of
                 it
                 only
                 remaining
                 in
                 the
                 
                   faculties
                   of
                   our
                   souls
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 Dominion
                 over
                 the
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 permitted
                 unto
                 men
                 in
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 God.
                 The
                 recovery
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 by
                 Grace
                 ,
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 an
                 initial
                 
                   Renovation
                   of
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 22.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 implanting
                 upon
                 our
                 natures
                 those
                 Graces
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 render
                 us
                 again
                 like
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 
                 nothing
                 is
                 Grace
                 or
                 Vertue
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 so
                 answers
                 to
                 somewhat
                 in
                 God.
                 So
                 then
                 whatever
                 is
                 in
                 us
                 of
                 this
                 kind
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 God
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 perfectly
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 and
                 manner
                 infinitely
                 more
                 excellent
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 now
                 therefore
                 put
                 these
                 things
                 together
                 .
                 God
                 requires
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   us
                
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 do
                 offend
                 us
                 ;
                 forgiveness
                 without
                 limitation
                 and
                 bounds
                 ;
                 The
                 Grace
                 hereof
                 he
                 bestoweth
                 on
                 his
                 Saints
                 ;
                 sets
                 an
                 high
                 price
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 manifests
                 many
                 wayes
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 accounts
                 it
                 among
                 the
                 most
                 excellent
                 of
                 our
                 endowments
                 ;
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 lovely
                 and
                 praise
                 worthy
                 qualifications
                 of
                 any
                 person
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 shall
                 we
                 now
                 say
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 
                   He
                   that
                   made
                   the
                   Eye
                   ,
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   see
                   ?
                   He
                   that
                   planted
                   the
                   Ear
                   ,
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   hear
                   ?
                
                 He
                 that
                 thus
                 prescribes
                 
                   forgiveness
                   to
                   us
                
                 ,
                 that
                 bestows
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 it
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 there
                 not
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 as
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 are
                 good
                 ,
                 yet
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 ;
                 though
                 we
                 are
                 Benign
                 and
                 Bountiful
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 finds
                 this
                 Grace
                 wrought
                 in
                 him
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 fears
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 find
                 it
                 in
                 God
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 doth
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 far
                 prefer
                 himself
                 above
                 God
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 natural
                 Effect
                 of
                 cursed
                 unbelief
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 the
                 Truth
                 is
                 ,
                 were
                 there
                 not
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   man
                
                 would
                 be
                 no
                 vertue
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 those
                 qualities
                 that
                 encline
                 thereto
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 meekness
                 ,
                 pity
                 ,
                 patience
                 ,
                 compassion
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 Which
                 what
                 were
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 set
                 loose
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 to
                 rage
                 and
                 madness
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 every
                 Truth
                 consists
                 in
                 its
                 answerableness
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Prime
                   and
                   Eternal
                   Verity
                
                 ;
                 So
                 vertue
                 consists
                 not
                 absolutely
                 nor
                 primarily
                 in
                 a
                 conformity
                 to
                 a
                 rule
                 of
                 Command
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 Correspondency
                 unto
                 the
                 first
                 absolute
                 perfect
                 Being
                 and
                 its
                 perfections
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Properties
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   .
                   The
                   Greatness
                   and
                   Freedom
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 The
                 Arguments
                 and
                 Demonstrations
                 foregoing
                 have
                 ,
                 we
                 hope
                 ,
                 undeniably
                 evinced
                 the
                 great
                 Truth
                 we
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 and
                 soul
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Hope
                 ,
                 Profession
                 ,
                 Religion
                 and
                 Worship
                 .
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 Discourse
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 a
                 
                   firm
                   foundation
                
                 for
                 faith
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 ,
                 in
                 its
                 addresses
                 unto
                 God
                 
                   for
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 to
                 give
                 encouragements
                 unto
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 persons
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 This
                 End
                 remains
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 explained
                 and
                 pressed
                 ;
                 which
                 work
                 yet
                 before
                 we
                 directly
                 close
                 withall
                 ,
                 two
                 things
                 are
                 further
                 to
                 be
                 premised
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 propose
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 Adjuncts
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 Considerations
                 about
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 both
                 encourage
                 and
                 necessitate
                 us
                 to
                 seek
                 out
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 mix
                 the
                 Testimonies
                 given
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Promises
                 of
                 it
                 
                   with
                   faith
                
                 unto
                 our
                 Benefit
                 and
                 Advantage
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 ,
                 how
                 needfull
                 all
                 this
                 endeavour
                 is
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 ,
                 account
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 Unbelief
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 As
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 of
                 these
                 then
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   this
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   is
                   such
                   as
                   becomes
                   him
                   ,
                
                 such
                 as
                 is
                 suitable
                 to
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 that
                 therein
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 known
                 to
                 be
                 God.
                 What
                 he
                 sayes
                 concerning
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 
                   be
                   still
                   and
                   know
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   God
                
                 ;
                 may
                 be
                 much
                 more
                 said
                 concerning
                 this
                 
                   great
                   Effect
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 :
                 Still
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 like
                 that
                 narrow
                 ,
                 difficult
                 ,
                 
                   halving
                   and
                   manacled
                   forgiveness
                
                 that
                 is
                 found
                 amongst
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   any
                   such
                   thing
                
                 is
                 found
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 full
                 ,
                 free
                 ,
                 boundless
                 ,
                 bottomless
                 ,
                 absolute
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 becomes
                 his
                 Nature
                 and
                 Excellencies
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 exercise
                 whereofhe
                 will
                 be
                 known
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 .
                 And
                 hence
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 God
                 himself
                 doth
                 really
                 separate
                 and
                 distinguish
                 
                   his
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 our
                 thoughts
                 and
                 imaginations
                 can
                 reach
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 himself
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 object
                 for
                 faith
                 alone
                 ;
                 which
                 can
                 rest
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 cannot
                 comprehend
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 never
                 safer
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 
                   overwhelmed
                   with
                   infiniteness
                
                 .
                 But
                 set
                 meer
                 rational
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 imaginations
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 at
                 work
                 about
                 
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 fall
                 unconceivably
                 short
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 can
                 neither
                 conceive
                 of
                 them
                 aright
                 ,
                 nor
                 use
                 them
                 unto
                 their
                 proper
                 end
                 and
                 purpose
                 .
                 Were
                 not
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 somewhat
                 beyond
                 what
                 men
                 could
                 imagine
                 ,
                 no
                 flesh
                 could
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 This
                 himself
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   wicked
                   forsake
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   unrighteous
                   man
                   his
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   abundantly
                   pardon
                   .
                   For
                   my
                   thoughts
                   are
                   not
                   your
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   neither
                   are
                   your
                   wayes
                   my
                   wayes
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   for
                   as
                   the
                   Heavens
                   are
                   higher
                   than
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   so
                   are
                   my
                   wayes
                   higher
                   than
                   your
                   wayes
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   thoughts
                   than
                   your
                   thoughts
                   .
                
                 They
                 are
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 plain
                 in
                 the
                 context
                 ,
                 
                   thoughts
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   wayes
                   of
                   Pardon
                
                 whereof
                 he
                 speaks
                 .
                 These
                 our
                 Apprehensions
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 ;
                 we
                 know
                 little
                 or
                 nothing
                 of
                 the
                 
                   infinite
                   largeness
                   of
                   his
                   heart
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 an
                 
                   impiously
                   wicked
                
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   deceit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 perverse
                 wickedness
                 .
                 He
                 whose
                 design
                 and
                 course
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 a
                 
                   lye
                   ,
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 iniquity
                 .
                 Such
                 an
                 one
                 as
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 little
                 or
                 no
                 hopes
                 of
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 scarce
                 think
                 it
                 worth
                 our
                 while
                 to
                 deal
                 withal
                 about
                 a
                 hopeless
                 Conversion
                 ;
                 or
                 can
                 scarce
                 find
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 
                   pray
                   for
                   him
                
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 up
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 profligate
                 and
                 desperate
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 him
                 turn
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 obtain
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 this
                 be
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 possible
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 mercy
                 for
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 ?
                 Yes
                 !
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 
                   will
                   multiply
                   to
                   pardon
                
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 to
                 outdo
                 all
                 the
                 multiplied
                 sins
                 of
                 any
                 that
                 turn
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 very
                 hard
                 ,
                 very
                 difficult
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 apprehend
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 
                   manner
                   of
                   men
                
                 :
                 We
                 deal
                 not
                 thus
                 with
                 profligate
                 Offenders
                 against
                 us
                 .
                 True
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 ;
                 
                   But
                   your
                   wayes
                   are
                   not
                   my
                   wayes
                   .
                
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 act
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 like
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 nor
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 accustomed
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 How
                 then
                 shall
                 we
                 apprehend
                 it
                 ;
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 conceive
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 You
                 can
                 never
                 do
                 it
                 by
                 your
                 Reason
                 or
                 Imaginations
                 ;
                 
                   For
                   as
                   the
                   Heavens
                   is
                   above
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   so
                   are
                   my
                   thoughts
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 
                   above
                   your
                   thoughts
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 an
                 expression
                 to
                 set
                 out
                 the
                 largest
                 and
                 most
                 unconceivable
                 distance
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 .
                 The
                 creation
                 will
                 afford
                 no
                 more
                 significant
                 expression
                 or
                 representation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Heavens
                 are
                 inconceivably
                 
                 
                   distant
                   from
                
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 inconceivably
                 glorious
                 
                   above
                   it
                
                 .
                 So
                 are
                 the
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 distant
                 from
                 ours
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 a
                 Glory
                 in
                 them
                 also
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 rise
                 up
                 unto
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 when
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 we
                 hang
                 in
                 every
                 bryar
                 of
                 disputing
                 quarelsom
                 unbelief
                 .
                 This
                 or
                 that
                 Circumstance
                 or
                 Aggravation
                 ,
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 unparalleld
                 particular
                 ,
                 bereaves
                 us
                 of
                 our
                 Confidence
                 .
                 Want
                 of
                 a
                 due
                 Consideration
                 of
                 him
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 measuring
                 him
                 by
                 that
                 
                   line
                   of
                   our
                   own
                   imaginations
                
                 ,
                 bringing
                 him
                 down
                 unto
                 our
                 Thoughts
                 and
                 our
                 Wayes
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 disquietments
                 .
                 Because
                 we
                 find
                 it
                 hard
                 to
                 
                   forgive
                   our
                   pence
                
                 ,
                 we
                 think
                 he
                 cannot
                 
                   forgive
                   Talents
                
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 hath
                 provided
                 to
                 obviate
                 such
                 thoughts
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 11.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   execute
                   the
                   fierceness
                   of
                   my
                   wrath
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   return
                   to
                   destroy
                
                 Ephraim
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 AM
                 GOD
                 AND
                 NOT
                 MAN.
                 Our
                 satisfaction
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 his
                 Nature
                 ;
                 where
                 he
                 
                   a
                   man
                
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 impossible
                 that
                 upon
                 such
                 and
                 so
                 many
                 provocations
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 turn
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 fierceness
                 of
                 his
                 Anger
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 is
                 God.
                 This
                 gives
                 an
                 Infiniteness
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 inconceivable
                 boundlesness
                 to
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 exalts
                 it
                 above
                 all
                 our
                 thoughts
                 and
                 wayes
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 lamented
                 ;
                 Presumption
                 which
                 turns
                 God
                 into
                 an
                 Idol
                 ,
                 ascribes
                 unto
                 that
                 Idol
                 ,
                 a
                 greater
                 
                   largeness
                   in
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 than
                 faith
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 rise
                 up
                 unto
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 deals
                 with
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 God
                 of
                 infinite
                 Excellencies
                 and
                 Perfections
                 .
                 The
                 reasons
                 of
                 it
                 I
                 confess
                 are
                 obvious
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 no
                 presumption
                 can
                 falsly
                 imagine
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 it self
                 from
                 the
                 Idol
                 of
                 its
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 faith
                 may
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 find
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 obtain
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 God
                 engageth
                 his
                 
                   infinite
                   Excellencies
                
                 to
                 demonstrate
                 the
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Boundlesness
                 of
                 his
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 He
                 proposeth
                 them
                 unto
                 our
                 Considerations
                 to
                 convince
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 pardon
                 with
                 him
                 suitable
                 and
                 answerable
                 unto
                 them
                 See
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 27
                 ,
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 
                   Why
                   sayest
                   thou
                   O
                
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   speakest
                   O
                
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   way
                   is
                   hid
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   judgement
                   is
                   passed
                   over
                   from
                   my
                   God
                   ?
                   Hast
                   thou
                   not
                   known
                   ,
                   hast
                   thou
                   not
                   heard
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Everlasting
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Creator
                   of
                   the
                   ends
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   fainteth
                   not
                   ,
                   neither
                   is
                   weary
                   ;
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   searching
                   of
                   his
                   understanding
                   ;
                   He
                
                 
                 
                   giveth
                   power
                   to
                   the
                   faint
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   have
                   no
                   might
                   he
                   encreaseth
                   strength
                   :
                   even
                   the
                   youths
                   shall
                   faint
                   and
                   be
                   weary
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   young
                   men
                   shall
                   utterly
                   fail
                   ;
                   but
                   they
                   that
                   wait
                   upon
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   renew
                   their
                   strength
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   mount
                   up
                   with
                   wings
                   as
                   Eagles
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   run
                   and
                   not
                   be
                   weary
                   ;
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   walk
                   and
                   not
                   be
                   faint
                   .
                
                 The
                 matter
                 in
                 question
                 is
                 whether
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 
                   only
                   by
                   forgiveness
                
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 This
                 sinful
                 Jacob
                 either
                 despairs
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 desponds
                 about
                 .
                 But
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   thoughts
                   are
                   not
                   as
                   your
                   thoughts
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 course
                 doth
                 he
                 take
                 to
                 convince
                 them
                 of
                 their
                 mistake
                 therein
                 ?
                 What
                 Argument
                 doth
                 he
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 to
                 free
                 them
                 from
                 their
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rebuke
                 their
                 fears
                 ?
                 Plainly
                 ,
                 he
                 calls
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 both
                 Who
                 and
                 
                   What
                   he
                   is
                
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 had
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 That
                 they
                 might
                 expect
                 acceptance
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 did
                 become
                 him
                 .
                 Minding
                 them
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 ,
                 his
                 Immensity
                 ,
                 his
                 Infinite
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 his
                 Unchangableness
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Excellencies
                 and
                 Properties
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 he
                 demands
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 just
                 ground
                 to
                 expect
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   and
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 their
                 thoughts
                 and
                 apprehensions
                 ,
                 because
                 answering
                 the
                 infinite
                 largeness
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 from
                 whence
                 it
                 doth
                 proceed
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 Moses
                 manageth
                 this
                 plea
                 for
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 that
                 people
                 under
                 an
                 high
                 provocation
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 most
                 severe
                 threatning
                 of
                 their
                 destruction
                 thereon
                 ,
                 Numb
                 .
                 14.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 He
                 pleads
                 for
                 pardon
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 way
                 and
                 manner
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 answer
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 glorious
                 Properties
                 of
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 would
                 manifest
                 an
                 infiniteness
                 of
                 Power
                 and
                 Al-sufficiency
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 I
                 say
                 is
                 an
                 encouragement
                 in
                 general
                 unto
                 Believers
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 hope
                 ,
                 upon
                 unquestionable
                 grounds
                 evinced
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 hinge
                 on
                 which
                 turneth
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 our
                 eternal
                 condition
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 
                   like
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 becomes
                 him
                 ;
                 that
                 answers
                 the
                 infinite
                 perfections
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 exercised
                 and
                 given
                 forth
                 by
                 him
                 
                   as
                   God.
                
                 We
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 
                   narrow
                   and
                   streighten
                
                 it
                 by
                 our
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 render
                 it
                 unbecoming
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 less
                 dishonours
                 God
                 (
                 or
                 as
                 little
                 )
                 who
                 being
                 wholly
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 believes
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   no
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 none
                 
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 doth
                 not
                 believe
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 is
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 voice
                 and
                 
                   sentence
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 to
                 countenance
                 him
                 ;
                 then
                 those
                 who
                 being
                 convinced
                 of
                 the
                 principles
                 and
                 grounds
                 of
                 it
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 of
                 the
                 Testimony
                 given
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 do
                 yet
                 by
                 streigthning
                 and
                 narrowing
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 render
                 it
                 unworthy
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 whose
                 Excellencies
                 are
                 all
                 infinite
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 wayes
                 on
                 that
                 account
                 are
                 incomprehensible
                 .
                 If
                 then
                 we
                 resolve
                 
                   to
                   rreat
                   with
                   God
                
                 about
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 business
                 now
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 becomes
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   wants
                   of
                   our
                   souls
                
                 do
                 require
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 not
                 entangle
                 our
                 own
                 Spirits
                 by
                 limiting
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 The
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Child
                   possessed
                   with
                   a
                   Devil
                
                 being
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 Agony
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 cryes
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   canst
                   do
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   have
                   compassion
                   on
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   help
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 9.
                 22.
                 
                 He
                 would
                 fain
                 be
                 delivered
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 matter
                 was
                 
                   so
                   great
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 questioned
                 whether
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 had
                 either
                 Compassion
                 or
                 Power
                 enough
                 for
                 his
                 relief
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 did
                 he
                 obtain
                 hereby
                 ?
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 retarding
                 of
                 the
                 Cure
                 of
                 his
                 Child
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 .
                 For
                 our
                 Saviour
                 
                   holds
                   him
                   off
                
                 untill
                 he
                 had
                 instructed
                 him
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 v.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   canst
                   believe
                   ,
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   possible
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   believeth
                   .
                
                 Mistake
                 not
                 ,
                 if
                 thy
                 
                   Child
                   be
                   not
                   cured
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 
                   power
                   or
                   pity
                   in
                   me
                
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 faith
                 in
                 thee
                 .
                 My
                 power
                 is
                 such
                 as
                 renders
                 
                   all
                   things
                   possible
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 be
                 believed
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 many
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 desirously
                 be
                 made
                 
                   partakers
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 possible
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 see
                 it
                 possible
                 .
                 Why
                 where
                 is
                 the
                 defect
                 ?
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   no
                   pardon
                
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 they
                 come
                 finally
                 short
                 of
                 pardon
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   God
                   cannot
                   pardon
                   them
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 Not
                 at
                 all
                 !
                 but
                 because
                 
                   they
                   cannot
                
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   will
                   not
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 answer
                 all
                 the
                 
                   wants
                   of
                   their
                   souls
                
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 answers
                 the
                 
                   infinite
                   largeness
                
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 this
                 doth
                 not
                 wholly
                 deprive
                 them
                 of
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 greatly
                 retards
                 their
                 Peace
                 and
                 Comfort
                 .
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 take
                 it
                 well
                 to
                 be
                 limited
                 by
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 least
                 of
                 all
                 in
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 calls
                 a
                 Tempting
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   provoking
                   Temptation
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 78.
                 41.
                 
                 
                   They
                   turned
                   back
                   and
                   tempted
                
                 
                 
                   God
                   ,
                   they
                   limited
                   the
                   Holy
                   One
                   of
                   Israel
                   .
                
                 This
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 hear
                 with
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 pardon
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 such
                 as
                 becomes
                 him
                 to
                 give
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 pardons
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 
                   abundantly
                   pardon
                
                 .
                 Go
                 with
                 your
                 
                   half
                   forgiveness
                
                 limited
                 ,
                 conditional
                 Pardons
                 with
                 reserves
                 and
                 limitations
                 unto
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 become
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   like
                   themselves
                
                 .
                 That
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 absolute
                 and
                 perfect
                 ,
                 before
                 which
                 our
                 sins
                 are
                 as
                 a
                 Cloud
                 before
                 the
                 
                   East
                   Wind
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rising
                 Sun.
                 Hence
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 do
                 this
                 work
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 
                   whole
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   whole
                   soul
                
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 freely
                 ,
                 bountifully
                 ,
                 largely
                 to
                 indulge
                 and
                 forgive
                 unto
                 us
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 
                   cast
                   them
                   into
                   the
                   bottom
                   of
                   the
                   Sea
                   ,
                
                 Mic.
                 7.
                 19.
                 into
                 a
                 bottomless
                 Ocean
                 ,
                 an
                 Emblem
                 of
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 .
                 Remember
                 this
                 ,
                 poor
                 souls
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 possible
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 do
                 believe
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   forgiveness
                   is
                   in
                   or
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 
                   may
                   apply
                   our selves
                   unto
                   it
                
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 will
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 offended
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 
                   hath
                   placed
                   his
                   great
                   Glory
                   in
                   the
                   Declaration
                   and
                   communication
                   of
                   it
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 can
                 we
                 honour
                 him
                 more
                 than
                 by
                 coming
                 to
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 receive
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ready
                 rather
                 to
                 
                   steal
                   forgiveness
                
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 receive
                 from
                 him
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 gives
                 it
                 freely
                 and
                 largely
                 .
                 We
                 take
                 it
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 it
                 down
                 ,
                 as
                 though
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 glad
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 God
                 did
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 
                   see
                   us
                   take
                   it
                
                 ;
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 afraid
                 
                   he
                   is
                   not
                   willing
                
                 we
                 should
                 have
                 it
                 indeed
                 .
                 We
                 would
                 steal
                 this
                 fire
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 a
                 share
                 in
                 Gods
                 
                   Treasures
                   and
                   Riches
                
                 almost
                 without
                 his
                 consent
                 .
                 At
                 least
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 aegre
                 ,
                 with
                 much
                 difficulty
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 rarely
                 given
                 and
                 scarcely
                 obtained
                 .
                 That
                 he
                 gives
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 
                   unwilling
                   willingness
                
                 ;
                 as
                 we
                 sometimes
                 give
                 Alms
                 without
                 Chearfulness
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 
                   loseth
                   so
                   much
                   by
                   us
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 giveth
                 out
                 in
                 Pardon
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 we
                 
                   are
                   very
                   willing
                
                 to
                 have
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 unwilling
                 to
                 bestow
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 he
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 loser
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 forego
                 the
                 
                   glory
                   of
                   inflicting
                   punishment
                
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 we
                 suppose
                 he
                 is
                 most
                 loth
                 to
                 part
                 withal
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 nature
                 of
                 unbelief
                 .
                 
                 But
                 indeed
                 things
                 are
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 through
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 ordered
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 sinners
                 to
                 the
                 
                   praise
                   of
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 His
                 design
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 
                   Grace
                   glorious
                
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 exalt
                 
                   pardoning
                   mercy
                
                 .
                 The
                 great
                 fruit
                 and
                 product
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 The
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sinners
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 will
                 render
                 himself
                 Glorious
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 Praise
                 ,
                 Glory
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 designs
                 from
                 any
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 redound
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 this
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 proved
                 at
                 large
                 before
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 cause
                 
                   spared
                   he
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 when
                 sin
                 first
                 entred
                 into
                 it
                 :
                 for
                 this
                 cause
                 did
                 he
                 
                   provide
                   a
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 old
                 was
                 become
                 unprofitable
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 cause
                 did
                 he
                 
                   send
                   his
                   Son
                
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 This
                 hath
                 he
                 testified
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 Evidences
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 Would
                 he
                 have
                 lost
                 the
                 
                   praise
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 nothing
                 hereof
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 done
                 or
                 brought
                 about
                 .
                 We
                 can
                 then
                 no
                 way
                 so
                 eminently
                 bring
                 or
                 
                   ascribe
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 our
                 
                   receiving
                   forgiveness
                
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 being
                 willing
                 thereunto
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 its
                 tendency
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 way
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 peculiarly
                 fixed
                 on
                 for
                 its
                 manifestation
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 Apostle
                 exhorts
                 us
                 to
                 come
                 
                   boldly
                   to
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Confidence
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 expounds
                 
                   boldness
                   ,
                   Chap.
                
                 10.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 We
                 come
                 about
                 a
                 business
                 wherewith
                 he
                 is
                 well
                 pleased
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 delights
                 in
                 the
                 doing
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 expresseth
                 himself
                 ,
                 Zeph.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   thee
                   ,
                   is
                   mighty
                   ;
                   he
                   will
                   save
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   rejoyce
                   over
                   thee
                   with
                   joy
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   rest
                   in
                   his
                   love
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   joy
                   over
                   thee
                   with
                   singing
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Gods
                 Pardoning
                 ;
                 he
                 doth
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 
                   rejoycing
                   triumphant
                   manner
                
                 ,
                 satisfying
                 abundantly
                 his
                 own
                 holy
                 soul
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 resting
                 in
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 then
                 abundant
                 encouragement
                 to
                 
                   draw
                   nigh
                   to
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 what
                 God
                 is
                 so
                 willing
                 to
                 give
                 out
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 serves
                 also
                 the
                 
                   Oath
                   of
                   God
                
                 before
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 all
                 
                   the
                   secret
                   reserves
                   of
                   unbelief
                
                 ,
                 concerning
                 Gods
                 Unwillingness
                 to
                 give
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Pardon
                 unto
                 sinners
                 .
                 See
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 expressed
                 .
                 Therefore
                 the
                 tendency
                 of
                 our
                 
                   former
                   Arguments
                
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 meerly
                 to
                 prove
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 believe
                 
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 mistaken
                 ;
                 but
                 which
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 believe
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 We
                 think
                 it
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   give
                   alms
                
                 ,
                 to
                 love
                 the
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 abstain
                 from
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 fail
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 them
                 reflected
                 upon
                 our
                 Conscience
                 unto
                 our
                 disquietment
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 scarce
                 think
                 it
                 
                   our
                   duty
                   to
                   believe
                
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 well
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 think
                 ,
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 
                   can
                   do
                
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 think
                 it
                 not
                 
                   their
                   fault
                
                 who
                 
                   do
                   not
                
                 .
                 Such
                 persons
                 may
                 be
                 pityed
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 we
                 suppose
                 not
                 justly
                 blamed
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 by
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 Whose
                 Conscience
                 almost
                 is
                 burdened
                 with
                 this
                 as
                 a
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 as
                 he
                 ought
                 ,
                 
                   believe
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   his
                   sins
                
                 ?
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 meerly
                 because
                 men
                 judge
                 it
                 not
                 their
                 duty
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 non-performance
                 of
                 a
                 duty
                 apprehended
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 ,
                 will
                 reflect
                 on
                 the
                 Conscience
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 what
                 can
                 be
                 required
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 thing
                 
                   a
                   duty
                
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 wanting
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 There
                 
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 manifested
                 ,
                 revealed
                 ,
                 declared
                 .
                 This
                 manifestation
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 makes
                 it
                 the
                 Object
                 of
                 our
                 faith
                 .
                 We
                 believe
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 meerly
                 and
                 formally
                 because
                 they
                 
                   are
                   so
                
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 manifested
                 and
                 revealed
                 them
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 he
                 so
                 declares
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 frustrate
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 Revelation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 expresly
                 commanded
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   highest
                   Promises
                
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 greatest
                 penalties
                 .
                 This
                 Command
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 makes
                 believing
                 formally
                 a
                 duty
                 .
                 Faith
                 is
                 a
                 Grace
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 freely
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 all
                 Obedience
                 and
                 duties
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 radically
                 fixed
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 commanded
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   duty
                
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 Commands
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 ,
                 are
                 several
                 wayes
                 expressed
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Invitations
                   ,
                   Exhortations
                
                 ,
                 Propositions
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 have
                 in
                 them
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 Commands
                 ,
                 which
                 take
                 up
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Books
                 of
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   concernment
                
                 unto
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Of
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   importance
                
                 unto
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 here
                 and
                 hereafter
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 things
                 were
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 added
                 ,
                 to
                 bottom
                 our
                 ensuing
                 Exhortations
                 upon
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Evidences
                   that
                   most
                   men
                   do
                   not
                   believe
                   Forgiveness
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 That
                 which
                 should
                 now
                 ensue
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 peculiar
                 improvement
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 all
                 along
                 aimed
                 at
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 Exhortations
                 ,
                 and
                 encouragements
                 unto
                 believing
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 can
                 take
                 few
                 steps
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 ,
                 wherein
                 methinks
                 I
                 do
                 hear
                 some
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Surely
                   all
                   this
                   is
                   needless
                   ;
                   Who
                   is
                   there
                   that
                   doth
                   not
                   believe
                   all
                   that
                   you
                   go
                   about
                   to
                   prove
                   ?
                   And
                   so
                   these
                   pains
                   are
                   spent
                   to
                   little
                   or
                   no
                   purpose
                   .
                
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 before
                 I
                 perswade
                 any
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 endeavour
                 to
                 shew
                 
                   that
                   they
                   do
                   it
                   not
                   already
                   .
                
                 Many
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   most
                   of
                   men
                
                 who
                 live
                 under
                 the
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 do
                 wofully
                 deceive
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 They
                 
                   do
                   not
                   believe
                
                 what
                 they
                 
                   profess
                   themselves
                   to
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 they
                 think
                 they
                 believe
                 .
                 Men
                 talk
                 of
                 
                   fundamental
                   Errors
                
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 me
                 the
                 
                   most
                   fundamental
                   error
                
                 that
                 any
                 can
                 fall
                 into
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 pernitious
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 parts
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 
                   They
                   do
                   not
                   indeed
                   believe
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 
                   They
                   suppose
                   they
                   do
                   believe
                   it
                   ,
                
                 which
                 keeps
                 them
                 from
                 seeking
                 after
                 their
                 only
                 remedy
                 .
                 Both
                 these
                 mistakes
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 ruine
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 live
                 and
                 die
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 then
                 by
                 a
                 brief
                 enquiry
                 put
                 this
                 matter
                 to
                 a
                 tryal
                 .
                 By
                 some
                 plain
                 Rules
                 and
                 Principles
                 may
                 this
                 
                   important
                   Question
                
                 ,
                 whether
                 we
                 
                   do
                   indeed
                   believe
                   forgiveness
                   or
                   no
                   ,
                
                 be
                 answered
                 and
                 decided
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 the
                 Resolution
                 intended
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 premise
                 two
                 Observations
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Men
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   very
                   apt
                   to
                   deceive
                   themselves
                
                 .
                 Self-love
                 ,
                 vain
                 Hopes
                 ,
                 liking
                 of
                 Lust
                 ,
                 common
                 false
                 Principles
                 ,
                 sloth
                 ,
                 unwillingness
                 unto
                 self-examination
                 ,
                 Reputation
                 with
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 all
                 vigorously
                 concurr
                 unto
                 mens
                 self-deceivings
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 easie
                 thing
                 for
                 a
                 soul
                 to
                 
                   break
                   through
                
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 self-reasonings
                 that
                 rise
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 a
                 
                   clear
                   judgement
                
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 acting
                 in
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Men
                 also
                 find
                 
                   a
                   Common
                   Presumption
                
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 being
                 an
                 
                   easie
                   relief
                
                 against
                 gripings
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 disturbing
                 thoughts
                 about
                 sin
                 ;
                 which
                 they
                 daily
                 meet
                 withall
                 Aiming
                 therefore
                 only
                 at
                 the
                 removal
                 of
                 trouble
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 their
                 present
                 
                 
                   Imagination
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 sufficient
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 they
                 never
                 bring
                 their
                 perswasion
                 to
                 the
                 tryal
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 men
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 do
                 thus
                 ,
                 
                   so
                   they
                   actually
                   do
                   so
                
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   do
                   deceive
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 not
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 The
                 
                   last
                   day
                
                 will
                 make
                 this
                 evident
                 ,
                 if
                 men
                 will
                 no
                 sooner
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 their
                 folly
                 .
                 When
                 our
                 Saviour
                 told
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   one
                   of
                   them
                   twelve
                
                 should
                 betray
                 him
                 ;
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 but
                 
                   one
                   of
                   twelve
                
                 that
                 was
                 in
                 danger
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                   every
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   twelve
                
                 made
                 a
                 particular
                 enquiry
                 about
                 himself
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   one
                   in
                   each
                   twelve
                
                 is
                 here
                 mistaken
                 :
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 the
                 Truth
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   many
                   are
                   called
                   ,
                   and
                   but
                   few
                   are
                   chosen
                
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 few
                 ,
                 who
                 do
                 really
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 then
                 incumbent
                 on
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 be
                 enquiring
                 in
                 what
                 number
                 he
                 is
                 likely
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ?
                 Whilst
                 men
                 put
                 this
                 enquiry
                 off
                 from
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 or
                 say
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 Concernment
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 mine
                 ,
                 they
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 remedy
                 .
                 Remember
                 what
                 
                   poor
                   Jacob
                
                 said
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 lost
                 
                   one
                   Child
                
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 afraid
                 of
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 43.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   If
                   I
                   be
                   bereaved
                   of
                   my
                   Children
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   bereaved
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 if
                 
                   I
                   lose
                   my
                   Children
                
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 lose
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 my
                 all
                 .
                 Nothing
                 worse
                 can
                 befall
                 me
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 Comfort
                 ,
                 Joy
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 Life
                 and
                 all
                 go
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 may
                 men
                 say
                 in
                 this
                 Case
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   we
                   are
                   deceived
                   here
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   deceived
                
                 ;
                 all
                 is
                 lost
                 ,
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 all
                 must
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 help
                 or
                 relief
                 for
                 them
                 who
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 They
                 have
                 found
                 out
                 a
                 way
                 
                   to
                   go
                   quietly
                   down
                   into
                   the
                   pit
                   .
                
              
               
                 Now
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 premised
                 ,
                 only
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 incentives
                 unto
                 self-examination
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 render
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Considerations
                 usefull
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 address
                 our selves
                 unto
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 General
                 ;
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   Gospel
                   Truth
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   great
                   fundamental
                
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 important
                 Truth
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 turning
                 point
                 of
                 the
                 
                   two
                   Covenants
                
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 himself
                 declares
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 Now
                 a
                 very
                 easie
                 Consideration
                 of
                 the
                 
                   wayes
                   and
                   walkings
                   of
                   men
                
                 will
                 satisfie
                 us
                 as
                 to
                 this
                 Enquiry
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 do
                 indeed
                 believe
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fundamental
                 Principles
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Certainly
                 
                 their
                 
                   Ignorance
                   ,
                   Darkness
                   ,
                   Blindness
                
                 ,
                 their
                 
                   Corrupt
                   Affections
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Worldly
                   Conversations
                
                 ,
                 their
                 Earthly-mindedness
                 and
                 open
                 
                   disavowing
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   Wayes
                   and
                   Yoke
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 speak
                 no
                 such
                 language
                 .
                 Shall
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 
                   proud
                   ,
                   heady
                   ,
                   worldly
                   ,
                   self-seckers
                   ,
                
                 haters
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 wayes
                 ,
                 despisers
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 work
                 ,
                 Sacrificers
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 ,
                 do
                 believe
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Remission
                 of
                 sins
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 we
                 should
                 entertain
                 any
                 one
                 thought
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 dishonour
                 to
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Where
                 ever
                 that
                 is
                 received
                 or
                 believed
                 ,
                 it
                 produceth
                 other
                 effects
                 ,
                 Tit.
                 2.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 Isa.
                 11
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 It
                 teacheth
                 men
                 
                   to
                   deny
                   all
                   ungodliness
                   and
                   worldly
                   lusts
                   .
                
                 It
                 changeth
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 natures
                 and
                 wayes
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 such
                 a
                 barren
                 ,
                 impotent
                 and
                 fruitless
                 thing
                 ,
                 as
                 such
                 an
                 Apprehension
                 would
                 represent
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 that
                 really
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 do
                 thereby
                 
                   obtain
                   forgiveness
                   .
                   Believing
                
                 gives
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 it
                 brings
                 it
                 home
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 concerned
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 inviolable
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Believing
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 are
                 inseparably
                 conjoyned
                 .
                 Among
                 the
                 Evidences
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 have
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 being
                 interested
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 name
                 one
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   prize
                   and
                   value
                   it
                   above
                   all
                   the
                   world
                   .
                
                 Let
                 us
                 enquire
                 what
                 Esteem
                 and
                 valuation
                 many
                 of
                 those
                 have
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 who
                 put
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 question
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 believe
                 it
                 .
                 Do
                 they
                 look
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 their
                 Treasure
                 ,
                 their
                 Jewel
                 ,
                 their
                 Pearl
                 of
                 price
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 solicitous
                 about
                 it
                 ?
                 Do
                 they
                 often
                 look
                 and
                 examine
                 whether
                 it
                 continues
                 safe
                 in
                 their
                 possession
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 Suppose
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 a
                 
                   pretious
                   Jewel
                
                 laid
                 up
                 in
                 some
                 place
                 in
                 his
                 house
                 ;
                 Suppose
                 it
                 be
                 unto
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 poor
                 Widdows
                 
                   two
                   mites
                
                 ,
                 all
                 her
                 substance
                 or
                 living
                 ;
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 carefully
                 ponder
                 on
                 it
                 ?
                 Will
                 he
                 not
                 frequently
                 satisfie
                 himself
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 safe
                 ?
                 We
                 may
                 know
                 that
                 
                   such
                   an
                   house
                
                 ,
                 such
                 fields
                 or
                 lands
                 do
                 not
                 belong
                 unto
                 a
                 man
                 when
                 he
                 passeth
                 by
                 them
                 daily
                 ,
                 and
                 taketh
                 little
                 or
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 how
                 do
                 most
                 men
                 look
                 upon
                 forgiveness
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 their
                 common
                 deportment
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 it
                 ?
                 Are
                 their
                 hearts
                 continually
                 filled
                 with
                 thoughts
                 about
                 it
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 solicitous
                 concerning
                 their
                 interest
                 in
                 it
                 ?
                 Do
                 they
                 reckon
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   whilst
                   that
                   is
                   safe
                
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 safe
                 with
                 them
                 ?
                 When
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 
                   laid
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   way
                
                 by
                 sin
                 and
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 do
                 they
                 give
                 
                 themselves
                 no
                 rest
                 ,
                 untill
                 it
                 be
                 afresh
                 discovered
                 unto
                 them
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 frame
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 ?
                 The
                 Lord
                 knows
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 .
                 They
                 
                   talk
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 but
                 esteem
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 prize
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 make
                 no
                 particular
                 enquiries
                 after
                 it
                 .
                 They
                 put
                 it
                 to
                 an
                 
                   ungrounded
                   venture
                
                 ,
                 whether
                 ever
                 they
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 it
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 for
                 a
                 relief
                 against
                 some
                 pangs
                 of
                 Conscience
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 upon
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 scarce
                 thought
                 of
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 not
                 any
                 so
                 minded
                 flatter
                 themselves
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 any
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 Gospel
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Let
                 it
                 be
                 enquired
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 pretend
                 unto
                 this
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 came
                 by
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 know
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 of
                 
                   him
                   who
                   calleth
                   us
                
                 ,
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 try
                 whether
                 they
                 have
                 broken
                 through
                 the
                 difficulties
                 in
                 the
                 Entertaining
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 manifested
                 abundantly
                 to
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 Peter
                 confessed
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Christ
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   God
                
                 ;
                 He
                 told
                 him
                 that
                 
                   flesh
                   and
                   blood
                
                 did
                 not
                 
                   reveal
                   that
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   but
                   his
                   Father
                   who
                   is
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                
                 Matth.
                 16.
                 17.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 so
                 with
                 them
                 who
                 indeed
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 :
                 
                   Flesh
                   and
                   blood
                
                 hath
                 not
                 revealed
                 it
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 hath
                 not
                 been
                 furthered
                 by
                 any
                 thing
                 within
                 them
                 or
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 lyes
                 in
                 opposition
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   God
                   that
                   we
                   believe
                   ,
                
                 John
                 6.
                 29.
                 
                 A
                 great
                 work
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   work
                
                 that
                 God
                 requireth
                 of
                 us
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 great
                 thing
                 in
                 it self
                 (
                 the
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   believing
                
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 thing
                 ,
                 )
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 great
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 
                   its
                   Object
                
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 or
                 forgiveness
                 it self
                 .
                 The
                 great
                 honour
                 of
                 Abrahams
                 faith
                 lay
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 deaths
                 and
                 difficulties
                 lay
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 a
                 
                   dead
                   body
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   dead
                   womb
                
                 ,
                 to
                 an
                 accusing
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   killing
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 and
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 terrible
                 as
                 a
                 consuming
                 fire
                 ?
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 shewed
                 ,
                 oppose
                 themselves
                 unto
                 a
                 soul
                 called
                 to
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 now
                 have
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 confident
                 in
                 the
                 
                   profession
                   of
                   this
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 to
                 say
                 unto
                 this
                 thing
                 ?
                 Let
                 them
                 speak
                 clearly
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 must
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 indeed
                 they
                 never
                 found
                 the
                 
                   least
                   difficulty
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 they
                 never
                 doubted
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 they
                 never
                 questioned
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 know
                 any
                 reason
                 why
                 they
                 should
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 
                   so
                   taken
                   for
                   granted
                
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 that
                 it
                 never
                 cost
                 them
                 an
                 
                   hours
                   labour
                
                 prayer
                 or
                 meditation
                 about
                 it
                 .
                 Have
                 they
                 had
                 
                   secret
                   reasonings
                
                 and
                 contendings
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 about
                 it
                 ?
                 No
                 ;
                 Have
                 they
                 considered
                 how
                 the
                 Objections
                 that
                 lye
                 against
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 removed
                 ?
                 
                   Not
                   at
                   all
                
                 ;
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 indeed
                 that
                 this
                 perswasion
                 is
                 thus
                 bred
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 ?
                 Are
                 the
                 corrupted
                 Natures
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 so
                 suited
                 ,
                 so
                 complying
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 grown
                 so
                 connatural
                 to
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   secret
                
                 that
                 ever
                 was
                 revealed
                 from
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 become
                 so
                 familiar
                 and
                 easie
                 to
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ?
                 Is
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 folly
                 to
                 the
                 wise
                 Greeks
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 stumbling
                 block
                 to
                 the
                 Wondergazing
                 Jews
                 ,
                 become
                 on
                 a
                 suddain
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 plain
                 path
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 principles
                 that
                 were
                 in
                 them
                 ?
                 But
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 men
                 have
                 a
                 general
                 ,
                 useless
                 ,
                 barren
                 
                   notion
                   of
                   Pardon
                
                 ,
                 which
                 Satan
                 ,
                 Presumption
                 ,
                 Tradition
                 ,
                 Common
                 Reports
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Customary
                   hearing
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                
                 have
                 furnished
                 them
                 withal
                 ;
                 But
                 for
                 that
                 
                   Gospel
                   discovery
                
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 whereof
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 speaking
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 utterly
                 ignorant
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 To
                 convince
                 such
                 poor
                 creatures
                 of
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 their
                 presumption
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 but
                 desire
                 them
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 some
                 real
                 Believers
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 Let
                 them
                 be
                 asked
                 whether
                 they
                 came
                 so
                 easily
                 by
                 their
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 saith
                 One
                 ,
                 these
                 
                   twenty
                   years
                
                 have
                 I
                 been
                 following
                 after
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 arrived
                 unto
                 an
                 
                   abiding
                   Chearing
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 what
                 it
                 cost
                 me
                 ,
                 what
                 tryals
                 ,
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 temptations
                 I
                 wrestled
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 went
                 through
                 withal
                 before
                 I
                 obtained
                 it
                 ,
                 saith
                 another
                 .
                 What
                 I
                 have
                 attained
                 unto
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 of
                 unspeakable
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 my
                 daily
                 prayer
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 be
                 preserved
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 exceeding
                 greatness
                 of
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 continually
                 wrestle
                 with
                 storms
                 that
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 drive
                 me
                 from
                 my
                 Anchor
                 .
                 A
                 little
                 of
                 this
                 discourse
                 may
                 be
                 sufficient
                 to
                 convince
                 poor
                 ,
                 dark
                 ,
                 carnal
                 creatures
                 of
                 the
                 folly
                 and
                 vanity
                 of
                 their
                 confidence
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 
                   certain
                   Means
                
                 whereby
                 the
                 Revelation
                 and
                 discovery
                 of
                 this
                 Mysterie
                 is
                 made
                 unto
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 By
                 these
                 they
                 do
                 obtain
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 obtain
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 The
                 mysterie
                 it self
                 was
                 a
                 secret
                 ,
                 hidden
                 in
                 the
                 Counsel
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 Eternity
                 ;
                 
                 nor
                 was
                 there
                 any
                 way
                 whereby
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 revealed
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 If
                 then
                 you
                 say
                 
                   you
                   know
                   it
                
                 ;
                 Let
                 us
                 enquire
                 how
                 you
                 came
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ?
                 And
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 unto
                 you
                 ?
                 Hath
                 this
                 been
                 done
                 by
                 a
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Truth
                
                 ?
                 by
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 by
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 reading
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 meditating
                 upon
                 it
                 ?
                 Or
                 did
                 you
                 receive
                 it
                 from
                 and
                 by
                 some
                 
                   seasonable
                   word
                
                 ,
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 spoken
                 unto
                 you
                 ?
                 Or
                 hath
                 it
                 insensibly
                 gotten
                 ground
                 upon
                 your
                 hearts
                 and
                 minds
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 strivings
                 and
                 conflicts
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 about
                 sin
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 truth
                 wherein
                 you
                 had
                 been
                 instructed
                 in
                 General
                 ?
                 Or
                 by
                 what
                 other
                 wayes
                 or
                 means
                 have
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 that
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 whereof
                 you
                 boast
                 ?
                 You
                 can
                 tell
                 how
                 you
                 came
                 by
                 your
                 wealth
                 ,
                 your
                 Gold
                 ,
                 and
                 Silver
                 ;
                 you
                 know
                 how
                 you
                 became
                 learned
                 ,
                 or
                 obtained
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 
                   mysterie
                   of
                   your
                   trade
                
                 ,
                 who
                 taught
                 you
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 you
                 came
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 wherein
                 you
                 are
                 concerned
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 can
                 answer
                 these
                 Enquiries
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Think
                 it
                 then
                 no
                 great
                 matter
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 are
                 put
                 to
                 answer
                 this
                 Question
                 also
                 ;
                 by
                 
                   what
                   way
                
                 or
                 means
                 came
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 
                   knowledge
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 which
                 you
                 boast
                 of
                 ;
                 Was
                 it
                 by
                 any
                 of
                 those
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 other
                 ?
                 if
                 you
                 cannot
                 answer
                 distinctly
                 to
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 only
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 believed
                 it
                 ever
                 since
                 you
                 can
                 remember
                 ,
                 so
                 those
                 said
                 that
                 went
                 before
                 you
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 say
                 with
                 whom
                 you
                 do
                 converse
                 ;
                 you
                 never
                 
                   met
                   with
                   any
                   one
                
                 that
                 called
                 it
                 into
                 question
                 ,
                 nor
                 heard
                 of
                 any
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 were
                 one
                 or
                 
                   two
                   despairing
                   wretches
                
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 justly
                 questioned
                 ,
                 whether
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 portion
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 or
                 no.
                 If
                 uncertain
                 rumours
                 ,
                 reports
                 ,
                 general
                 notions
                 ,
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 your
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 suppose
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 Communion
                 with
                 Christ
                 therein
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Of
                 them
                 who
                 profess
                 to
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 how
                 few
                 are
                 there
                 who
                 indeed
                 know
                 
                   what
                   it
                   is
                
                 .
                 They
                 believe
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 Samaritans
                 Worshipped
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   know
                   not
                   what
                
                 .
                 With
                 some
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   bold
                   presumption
                
                 ,
                 and
                 crying
                 
                   peace
                   peace
                
                 ,
                 goes
                 for
                 the
                 belief
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 General
                 
                   Apprehension
                   of
                   impunity
                
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 sinners
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 punished
                 ,
                 passeth
                 with
                 others
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 rate
                 .
              
               
                 Some
                 think
                 they
                 shall
                 prevail
                 with
                 God
                 by
                 
                   their
                   prayers
                
                 and
                 desires
                 to
                 let
                 them
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 cast
                 them
                 into
                 Hell.
                 One
                 way
                 or
                 other
                 to
                 escape
                 the
                 
                   Vengeance
                   of
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 punished
                 in
                 another
                 world
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 men
                 fix
                 their
                 minds
                 upon
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 is
                 revealed
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 treating
                 about
                 ?
                 The
                 Rise
                 and
                 Spring
                 of
                 our
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 
                   heart
                   and
                   Gracious
                   Nature
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 declared
                 by
                 his
                 Name
                 ;
                 Have
                 you
                 enquired
                 seriously
                 into
                 this
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 stood
                 at
                 the
                 shore
                 of
                 that
                 
                   infinite
                   Ocean
                   of
                   Goodness
                
                 and
                 Love
                 ?
                 Have
                 your
                 souls
                 found
                 supportment
                 and
                 relief
                 from
                 that
                 Consideration
                 ?
                 And
                 have
                 your
                 hearts
                 leaped
                 within
                 you
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Or
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 never
                 been
                 affected
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 herewithal
                 ,
                 have
                 you
                 bowed
                 down
                 your
                 souls
                 under
                 the
                 Considerations
                 of
                 that
                 
                   Soveraign
                   Act
                   of
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 next
                 spring
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 that
                 glorious
                 acting
                 of
                 free
                 Grace
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 all
                 might
                 justly
                 have
                 perished
                 ,
                 all
                 
                   having
                   sinned
                   and
                   come
                   short
                   of
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                
                 God
                 would
                 yet
                 
                   have
                   mercy
                   on
                   some
                
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 given
                 up
                 your selves
                 to
                 this
                 Grace
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 believe
                 ?
                 Suppose
                 you
                 are
                 strangers
                 to
                 this
                 also
                 :
                 What
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 have
                 you
                 had
                 about
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ?
                 We
                 have
                 shewed
                 how
                 forgiveness
                 relates
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 how
                 way
                 is
                 made
                 thereby
                 for
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 consistency
                 with
                 the
                 Glory
                 and
                 Honour
                 of
                 the
                 Justice
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Law
                 ;
                 how
                 Pardon
                 is
                 procured
                 and
                 purchased
                 thereby
                 ;
                 with
                 the
                 mysterious
                 Reconciliation
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Law
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 new
                 disposal
                 of
                 Conscience
                 in
                 its
                 work
                 and
                 duty
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 have
                 you
                 to
                 say
                 to
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 seen
                 pardon
                 flowing
                 from
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 through
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 looked
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 the
                 
                   price
                   of
                   his
                   life
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 purchase
                 of
                 his
                 blood
                 ?
                 Or
                 have
                 you
                 general
                 thoughts
                 that
                 Christ
                 dyed
                 for
                 finners
                 ?
                 and
                 that
                 on
                 one
                 account
                 or
                 other
                 forgiveness
                 relates
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 strangers
                 to
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 .
                 Suppose
                 this
                 also
                 ;
                 Let
                 us
                 go
                 a
                 little
                 further
                 and
                 enquire
                 
                 whether
                 you
                 know
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 yet
                 remains
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 importance
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 Forgiveness
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 is
                 manifested
                 ,
                 tendred
                 ,
                 exhibited
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 and
                 Promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 The
                 Rule
                 of
                 the
                 Efficacy
                 of
                 these
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 he
                 
                   mixed
                   with
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 well
                 if
                 you
                 are
                 grown
                 up
                 hereunto
                 ;
                 but
                 you
                 that
                 are
                 strangers
                 to
                 the
                 things
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 are
                 no
                 less
                 to
                 this
                 also
                 .
                 Upon
                 the
                 matter
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 then
                 
                   what
                   forgiveness
                
                 is
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   wherein
                   it
                
                 consists
                 ,
                 nor
                 whence
                 it
                 comes
                 ,
                 nor
                 how
                 it
                 is
                 procured
                 ,
                 nor
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 given
                 out
                 unto
                 sinners
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 for
                 such
                 persons
                 to
                 pretend
                 that
                 they
                 believe
                 that
                 whereunto
                 either
                 notionally
                 ,
                 or
                 practically
                 ,
                 or
                 both
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 utter
                 strangers
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Another
                 Enquiry
                 into
                 this
                 matter
                 regards
                 the
                 
                   State
                   and
                   Condition
                   wherein
                   souls
                   must
                   be
                   ,
                
                 before
                 it
                 be
                 possible
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 
                   such
                   an
                   Estate
                
                 and
                 it
                 can
                 be
                 evinced
                 that
                 very
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Pretenders
                 concerning
                 whom
                 we
                 deal
                 ,
                 were
                 never
                 
                   brought
                   into
                
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 then
                 evident
                 that
                 they
                 neither
                 do
                 nor
                 can
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 however
                 they
                 do
                 and
                 may
                 delude
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 that
                 the
                 first
                 discovery
                 that
                 was
                 made
                 of
                 pardoning
                 Grace
                 was
                 unto
                 Adam
                 ,
                 presently
                 after
                 the
                 fall
                 .
                 What
                 was
                 then
                 his
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 ?
                 How
                 was
                 he
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 reception
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 mysterie
                 in
                 its
                 first
                 discovery
                 ?
                 that
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 considerable
                 Rule
                 of
                 proceeding
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 matter
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 first
                 in
                 any
                 kind
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 Rule
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 follows
                 .
                 Now
                 what
                 was
                 Adams
                 condition
                 when
                 the
                 Revelation
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 was
                 first
                 made
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 it
                 is
                 known
                 from
                 the
                 Story
                 ;
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 afraid
                 of
                 punishment
                 ,
                 he
                 lay
                 trembling
                 at
                 the
                 foot
                 of
                 God.
                 Then
                 was
                 forgiveness
                 revealed
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 So
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 states
                 it
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 130.
                 v.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   Lord
                   shouldst
                   mark
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   who
                   shall
                   stand
                   ?
                
                 Full
                 of
                 thoughts
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 inevitable
                 and
                 eternal
                 ruine
                 ,
                 in
                 case
                 God
                 should
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Exigence
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 In
                 that
                 state
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 support
                 of
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 suggested
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 We
                 know
                 what
                 work
                 our
                 Saviour
                 had
                 with
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 .
                 
                   Are
                   we
                
                 ,
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 
                   blind
                   also
                
                 ?
                 No
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   you
                   see
                   ,
                   therefore
                   your
                   sin
                   remaineth
                   ,
                
                 
                 John
                 9.
                 40
                 ,
                 41.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 to
                 talk
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 such
                 persons
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 of
                 necessity
                 abide
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 .
                 I
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 call
                 such
                 
                   righteous
                   persons
                
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   sinners
                   to
                   Repentance
                
                 ;
                 who
                 not
                 only
                 
                   are
                   so
                
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 also
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 the
                 purpose
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 being
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 undone
                 condition
                 thereby
                 .
                 
                   The
                   whole
                   have
                   no
                   need
                   of
                   the
                   Physitian
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   sick
                   .
                
                 Whilst
                 you
                 are
                 
                   seeming
                   Righteous
                
                 and
                 whole
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 End
                 to
                 tell
                 you
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 understand
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 receive
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 impossible
                 then
                 that
                 any
                 one
                 should
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 believe
                 
                   forgiveness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 unless
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 he
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 
                   sin
                   in
                   himself
                
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 
                   fallow
                   ground
                
                 be
                 not
                 broken
                 up
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 to
                 sow
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 neither
                 Life
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 nor
                 sweetness
                 in
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 unless
                 a
                 door
                 be
                 opened
                 for
                 its
                 Entrance
                 by
                 Conviction
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 on
                 this
                 ground
                 also
                 ,
                 continue
                 our
                 Enquiry
                 upon
                 the
                 ordinary
                 boasters
                 of
                 their
                 skill
                 in
                 this
                 mysterie
                 .
                 You
                 believe
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 Yes
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ?
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   you
                   know
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   sinners
                   well
                   enough
                   .
                
                 Answer
                 then
                 but
                 once
                 more
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   of
                   this
                   conviction
                
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 say
                 you
                 have
                 ;
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 ingredients
                 .
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 
                   A
                   general
                   notion
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   sinners
                
                 as
                 all
                 men
                 also
                 are
                 .
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 
                   Particular
                   troublesome
                   reflections
                   upon
                   your selves
                
                 ,
                 when
                 on
                 any
                 eruption
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 Conscience
                 accuses
                 ,
                 rebukes
                 ,
                 condemns
                 ?
                 You
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   yes
                   ,
                   what
                   would
                   you
                   require
                   more
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 Conviction
                 we
                 are
                 enquiring
                 after
                 ;
                 That
                 is
                 a
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 ;
                 this
                 you
                 speak
                 of
                 ,
                 a
                 meer
                 
                   Natural
                   work
                
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 be
                 without
                 than
                 you
                 can
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 men
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 give
                 no
                 Assistance
                 unto
                 the
                 receiving
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   you
                   have
                   proceeded
                   farther
                   than
                   so
                   ;
                   and
                   these
                   things
                   have
                   had
                   an
                   improvement
                   in
                   you
                   .
                
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 a
                 little
                 try
                 whether
                 your
                 process
                 have
                 been
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 so
                 whether
                 this
                 
                   invincible
                   barr
                
                 in
                 your
                 way
                 be
                 removed
                 or
                 no.
                 For
                 although
                 every
                 convinced
                 person
                 do
                 not
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 :
                 yet
                 no
                 one
                 
                   who
                   is
                   not
                   convinced
                
                 doth
                 so
                 .
                 Have
                 you
                 then
                 been
                 made
                 sensible
                 of
                 your
                 condition
                 by
                 Nature
                 ;
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 
                   alienated
                   from
                   the
                   life
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 obnoxious
                 to
                 
                 his
                 wrath
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 been
                 convinced
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Universal
                   Enmity
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 to
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 Enmity
                 against
                 God
                 ?
                 Hath
                 the
                 unspeakable
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 been
                 set
                 in
                 order
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 before
                 you
                 ?
                 And
                 have
                 you
                 considered
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 sinners
                 ,
                 
                   such
                   sinners
                
                 as
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 a
                 Righteous
                 and
                 a
                 holy
                 God
                 ?
                 Hath
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 wrought
                 a
                 serious
                 Recognition
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 caused
                 them
                 to
                 abide
                 with
                 you
                 and
                 upon
                 you
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 answer
                 truly
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 say
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 indeed
                 
                   you
                   have
                   not
                   been
                   so
                   exercised
                   .
                
                 You
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 many
                 times
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 say
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 gone
                 through
                 with
                 this
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 had
                 Experience
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 cannot
                 do
                 .
                 Then
                 I
                 say
                 you
                 are
                 strangers
                 to
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 because
                 you
                 are
                 strangers
                 unto
                 sin
                 :
                 But
                 and
                 if
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 
                   had
                   thoughts
                   to
                   this
                   purpose
                
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 perswaded
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 throughly
                 convinced
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 yet
                 ask
                 you
                 
                   one
                   Question
                
                 more
                 ;
                 what
                 Effects
                 hath
                 your
                 Conviction
                 produced
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 and
                 lives
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 been
                 filled
                 with
                 perplexities
                 and
                 consternation
                 of
                 Spirit
                 thereupon
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 had
                 
                   fears
                   dreads
                
                 or
                 terrors
                 to
                 wrestle
                 withall
                 ?
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 No
                 ;
                 Nor
                 will
                 I
                 insist
                 upon
                 that
                 enquiry
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 I
                 deal
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 .
                 Hath
                 it
                 filled
                 you
                 with
                 self-loathing
                 and
                 Abhorrency
                 ,
                 with
                 self-condemnation
                 ,
                 and
                 abasement
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 will
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 this
                 it
                 will
                 do
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 come
                 short
                 here
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 justly
                 to
                 be
                 feared
                 that
                 all
                 your
                 other
                 pretences
                 are
                 of
                 no
                 value
                 ;
                 Now
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   work
                   of
                   conviction
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 whatever
                 is
                 pretended
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 many
                 vain
                 boasters
                 this
                 sword
                 will
                 cut
                 off
                 is
                 evident
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 We
                 have
                 yet
                 a
                 greater
                 evidence
                 than
                 all
                 these
                 .
                 
                   Men
                   live
                   in
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   therefore
                   they
                   do
                   not
                   believe
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
                 Faith
                 in
                 general
                 
                   purifies
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 Acts
                 15.
                 19.
                 
                 Our
                 souls
                 are
                 purified
                 
                   in
                   obeying
                   the
                   Truth
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 22.
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 is
                 made
                 fruitful
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 James
                 2.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   Faith
                   worketh
                   by
                   works
                
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 it self
                 perfect
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 concerning
                 forgiveness
                 hath
                 a
                 special
                 influence
                 into
                 
                   all
                   Holiness
                
                 ,
                 Tit.
                 2.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   which
                   bringeth
                   salvation
                   ,
                   teacheth
                   us
                   to
                   deny
                   all
                   unrighteousness
                   and
                   worldly
                   lusts
                   ,
                   to
                   live
                   soberly
                   ,
                   righteously
                   ,
                   and
                   godly
                
                 
                 
                   in
                   this
                   present
                   world
                
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 Grace
                 whereof
                 we
                 speak
                 .
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 then
                 
                   believe
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 detestation
                 and
                 relinquishment
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 ground
                 of
                 this
                 might
                 be
                 farther
                 manifested
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Efficacy
                 of
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 unto
                 a
                 forsaking
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 if
                 need
                 were
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 that
                 own
                 the
                 Gospel
                 must
                 acknowledge
                 this
                 principle
                 .
                 The
                 real
                 belief
                 of
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 prevalent
                 with
                 men
                 
                   not
                   to
                   live
                
                 longer
                 in
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   number
                
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 pretend
                 to
                 receive
                 this
                 Truth
                 ?
                 Are
                 their
                 hearts
                 purified
                 by
                 it
                 ?
                 Are
                 their
                 consciences
                 purged
                 ?
                 Are
                 their
                 lives
                 changed
                 ?
                 Do
                 they
                 deny
                 all
                 ungodliness
                 and
                 worldly
                 lusts
                 ?
                 Doth
                 forgiveness
                 teach
                 them
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ?
                 Have
                 they
                 found
                 it
                 effectual
                 to
                 these
                 purposes
                 ?
                 Whence
                 is
                 it
                 then
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 bleating
                 and
                 bellowing
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 amongst
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Some
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 Drunkards
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 Swearers
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 unclean
                 persons
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 lyars
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 worldly
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 haters
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 concernments
                 upon
                 the
                 Earth
                 ;
                 proud
                 ,
                 covetous
                 ,
                 boasters
                 ,
                 self-seekers
                 ,
                 envious
                 ,
                 wrathful
                 ,
                 backbiters
                 ,
                 malitious
                 praters
                 ,
                 slanderers
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 think
                 that
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 
                   believe
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 Some
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 dark
                 ,
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 blind
                 ,
                 utterly
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 the
                 mysterie
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 at
                 all
                 make
                 it
                 your
                 business
                 to
                 enquire
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 Either
                 you
                 hear
                 it
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 negligently
                 ,
                 slothfully
                 ,
                 customarily
                 ,
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 such
                 persons
                 deceive
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 :
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 yet
                 to
                 believe
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 utterly
                 impossible
                 .
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 Minister
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 give
                 his
                 Gospel
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 licentiousness
                 for
                 your
                 sakes
                 .
                 Nor
                 shall
                 you
                 be
                 forgiven
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 delivered
                 to
                 do
                 more
                 Abominations
                 .
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 any
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 thank
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 such
                 Publicans
                 as
                 those
                 mentioned
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 drunkards
                 ,
                 no
                 swearers
                 ,
                 no
                 
                   unclean
                   persons
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 concerned
                 in
                 this
                 consideration
                 .
                 Their
                 lives
                 and
                 their
                 duties
                 give
                 another
                 account
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 then
                 yet
                 consider
                 further
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 were
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 say
                 of
                 your selves
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   despisers
                
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 ever
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 that
                 because
                 they
                 
                   hated
                   the
                   light
                
                 ,
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   their
                   deeds
                   were
                   evil
                
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 your
                 duties
                 you
                 mention
                 ,
                 what
                 I
                 pray
                 is
                 the
                 root
                 and
                 spring
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 are
                 they
                 influenced
                 from
                 this
                 
                   Faith
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 you
                 boast
                 of
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 May
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 feared
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 utterly
                 otherwise
                 ?
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 perform
                 them
                 because
                 you
                 
                   love
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 you
                 
                   fear
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 If
                 the
                 truth
                 were
                 known
                 ,
                 I
                 doubt
                 it
                 would
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 get
                 nothing
                 by
                 your
                 
                   believing
                   of
                   pardon
                
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 encouragement
                 unto
                 sin
                 .
                 Your
                 Goodness
                 such
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 springs
                 from
                 another
                 root
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 also
                 that
                 you
                 ward
                 your selves
                 by
                 it
                 against
                 the
                 
                   strokes
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 particular
                 sins
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 as
                 bad
                 as
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 good
                 be
                 encouraged
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   commit
                   it
                
                 ,
                 as
                 be
                 encouraged
                 under
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 from
                 humiliation
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 None
                 under
                 Heaven
                 are
                 more
                 remote
                 from
                 the
                 belief
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 than
                 such
                 persons
                 are
                 :
                 All
                 their
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Sin
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 measure
                 from
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 They
                 that
                 believe
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 ,
                 believe
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 Ends
                 and
                 Purposes
                 for
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 revealed
                 of
                 God.
                 This
                 will
                 further
                 improve
                 and
                 carry
                 on
                 the
                 former
                 consideration
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 reveals
                 any
                 thing
                 for
                 
                   one
                   end
                
                 and
                 purpose
                 ,
                 and
                 men
                 use
                 it
                 quite
                 unto
                 another
                 ;
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 receive
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 believe
                 the
                 thing
                 revealed
                 ,
                 but
                 steal
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 delude
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 weigh
                 to
                 what
                 Ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 was
                 first
                 revealed
                 by
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 which
                 also
                 its
                 manifestation
                 is
                 still
                 continued
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 who
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 whom
                 this
                 Revelation
                 was
                 first
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 condition
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 when
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 made
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 A
                 lost
                 ,
                 wretched
                 Creature
                 ,
                 without
                 hope
                 or
                 help
                 he
                 was
                 ;
                 how
                 he
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 obtain
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 .
                 God
                 reveals
                 forgiveness
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 Christ
                 to
                 
                   be
                   his
                   all
                
                 .
                 The
                 intention
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 
                   Sinners
                   All
                   should
                   be
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 If
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 added
                 unto
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 End
                 and
                 purpose
                 ,
                 then
                 
                   Grace
                   is
                   no
                   more
                   Grace
                
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 God
                 intended
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 new
                 foundation
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Thankfulness
                 .
                 That
                 men
                 should
                 Love
                 because
                 Forgiven
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 Holy
                 because
                 Pardoned
                 ;
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shewed
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 
                 might
                 be
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 a
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 spring
                 of
                 new
                 obedience
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 to
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 were
                 Gods
                 Ends
                 in
                 its
                 Revelation
                 .
              
               
                 Our
                 Enquiry
                 then
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 men
                 do
                 receive
                 this
                 Revelation
                 as
                 unto
                 
                   these
                   Ends
                
                 ,
                 and
                 use
                 it
                 for
                 these
                 purposes
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 only
                 .
                 I
                 might
                 evince
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 by
                 passing
                 through
                 the
                 
                   General
                   abuses
                
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 mentioned
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 common
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 needfull
                 .
                 Instead
                 of
                 Believing
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 men
                 seem
                 to
                 put
                 a
                 
                   studyed
                   despight
                
                 on
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 They
                 either
                 proclaim
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 unholy
                 and
                 
                   polluted
                   way
                
                 ,
                 by
                 turning
                 its
                 Grace
                 into
                 Lasciviousness
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 
                   weak
                   and
                   insufficient
                
                 way
                 ,
                 by
                 striving
                 to
                 twist
                 it
                 in
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 both
                 which
                 are
                 an
                 Abomination
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 From
                 these
                 and
                 such
                 other
                 Considerations
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 importance
                 as
                 might
                 be
                 added
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 that
                 our
                 Word
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 vain
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 Exhortation
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 built
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 
                   great
                   noyse
                
                 and
                 pretences
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 few
                 who
                 seriously
                 receive
                 this
                 
                   fundamental
                   truth
                
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 Namely
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Poor
                 Creatures
                 
                   sport
                   themselves
                   with
                   their
                   own
                   deceivings
                   ,
                
                 and
                 perish
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 delusions
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Exhortation
                   unto
                   the
                   Belief
                   of
                   the
                   Forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God.
                   Reasons
                   for
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Necessity
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 We
                 shall
                 now
                 proceed
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   direct
                   uses
                
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 Truth
                 .
                 For
                 having
                 laid
                 our
                 foundation
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 fail
                 ,
                 and
                 having
                 given
                 as
                 we
                 hope
                 ,
                 sufficient
                 Evidence
                 unto
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 our
                 last
                 work
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 improvement
                 of
                 it
                 unto
                 the
                 Good
                 of
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 along
                 was
                 aimed
                 at
                 .
                 The
                 persons
                 concerned
                 in
                 this
                 Truth
                 are
                 all
                 Sinners
                 whatever
                 .
                 
                   No
                   sort
                
                 of
                 sinners
                 are
                 unconcerned
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 none
                 are
                 excluded
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 may
                 cast
                 them
                 all
                 under
                 Two
                 heads
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Such
                 as
                 never
                 yet
                 
                   sincerely
                   closed
                   with
                   the
                   promise
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ;
                 Nor
                 have
                 ever
                 yet
                 received
                 forgiveness
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 believing
                 .
                 These
                 we
                 have
                 already
                 endeavoured
                 to
                 undeceive
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 discover
                 those
                 
                   false
                   presumptions
                
                 whereby
                 they
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 ruine
                 and
                 destroy
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
                 These
                 we
                 would
                 guide
                 now
                 into
                 safe
                 and
                 
                   pleasant
                   paths
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 may
                 find
                 assured
                 Rest
                 and
                 Peace
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Others
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 received
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 being
                 
                   again
                   entangled
                   by
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 or
                 clouded
                 by
                 darkness
                 and
                 temptations
                 ,
                 or
                 weakned
                 by
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 to
                 their
                 Peace
                 and
                 Comfort
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 represented
                 in
                 this
                 Psalm
                 :
                 And
                 which
                 we
                 shall
                 therefore
                 apply
                 our selves
                 unto
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 ,
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 place
                 .
              
               
                 Our
                 Exhortation
                 then
                 is
                 unto
                 both
                 ;
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 receive
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   have
                   life
                
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 
                   improve
                   it
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 peace
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 former
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 overlook
                 ,
                 disregard
                 ,
                 or
                 neglect
                 
                   so
                   great
                   salvation
                
                 as
                 is
                 tendred
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 to
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 
                   stir
                   up
                   the
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                
                 to
                 mix
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                
                 that
                 is
                 
                   declared
                   unto
                   them
                
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 
                   first
                   sort
                
                 ,
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 yet
                 
                   utter
                   strangers
                
                 from
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ;
                 who
                 never
                 yet
                 upon
                 saving
                 grounds
                 believed
                 
                   this
                   forgiveness
                
                 ;
                 who
                 never
                 yet
                 once
                 tasted
                 of
                 
                   Gospel
                   Pardon
                   .
                   Poor
                   sinners
                
                 !
                 this
                 word
                 is
                 unto
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 Be
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 or
                 read
                 the
                 
                   same
                   word
                
                 before
                 ,
                 or
                 others
                 like
                 unto
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 :
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 often
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 an
                 hundred
                 times
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 your
                 concernment
                 to
                 
                   hear
                   it
                   again
                
                 .
                 God
                 would
                 have
                 it
                 so
                 ;
                 The
                 
                   Testimony
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 is
                 thus
                 to
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
                 This
                 
                   Counsel
                   of
                   God
                   we
                   must
                   declare
                
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 Acts
                 20.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 not
                 once
                 or
                 twice
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 
                   preaching
                   the
                   Word
                
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 
                   instant
                   in
                   season
                   ,
                   out
                   of
                   season
                   ,
                   reproving
                   ,
                   rebuking
                   ,
                   exhorting
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   long-suffering
                   and
                   doctrine
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   wo
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 leaves
                 
                   thus
                   speaking
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 refuseth
                 to
                 Exhort
                 you
                 any
                 more
                 ,
                 
                   wo
                   unto
                   you
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 
                   Gods
                   departure
                
                 from
                 any
                 person
                 or
                 people
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 deal
                 with
                 them
                 no
                 more
                 about
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 and
                 faith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   Wo
                   unto
                   them
                   when
                   I
                   depart
                   from
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Hos.
                 9.
                 12.
                 
                 O
                 that
                 God
                 therefore
                 
                 would
                 give
                 unto
                 such
                 
                   persons
                   ,
                   seeing
                   Eyes
                   ,
                   and
                   hearing
                   Ears
                   ,
                
                 that
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 Grace
                 may
                 never
                 more
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 Now
                 in
                 our
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 such
                 persons
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 proceed
                 gradually
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 the
                 matter
                 will
                 bear
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 doth
                 require
                 .
                 Consider
                 therefore
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 
                   notwithstanding
                   all
                   your
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 evil
                 that
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 know
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 
                   hidden
                   Mass
                
                 or
                 
                   evil
                   treasure
                   of
                   sin
                
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 look
                 into
                 ;
                 notwithstanding
                 that
                 charge
                 that
                 lyes
                 upon
                 you
                 from
                 your
                 own
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 dreadful
                 sentence
                 and
                 curse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 obnoxious
                 unto
                 ;
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 the
                 just
                 grounds
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 to
                 apprehend
                 that
                 
                   God
                   is
                   your
                   Enemy
                
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 unto
                 eternity
                 ;
                 yet
                 there
                 are
                 
                   Terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 and
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 provided
                 and
                 proposed
                 between
                 him
                 and
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 This
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 is
                 spoken
                 out
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 we
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 Whatever
                 else
                 it
                 informs
                 us
                 of
                 ,
                 this
                 it
                 positively
                 asserts
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   way
                
                 whereby
                 sinners
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 be
                 accepted
                 with
                 God
                 :
                 For
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   feared
                   .
                
                 And
                 we
                 hope
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 confirmed
                 it
                 by
                 
                   so
                   many
                   Testimonies
                
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   so
                   many
                   Evidences
                
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 priviledge
                 this
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 much
                 your
                 concernment
                 lyes
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 Consider
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 
                   this
                   belongs
                   unto
                   you
                   in
                   an
                   especial
                   manner
                   ,
                
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 peculiar
                 advantage
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Angels
                   that
                   sinned
                
                 .
                 There
                 were
                 never
                 any
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                   or
                   Reconciliation
                
                 proposed
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 ever
                 shall
                 be
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 
                   way
                   of
                   escape
                
                 provided
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Having
                 
                   once
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   spared
                   them
                   not
                
                 ,
                 but
                 cast
                 them
                 down
                 to
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 delivered
                 them
                 unto
                 
                   Chains
                   of
                   darkness
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 reserved
                 unto
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   dead
                   in
                   their
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 if
                 but
                 
                   one
                   moment
                   past
                
                 .
                 Ah
                 how
                 would
                 many
                 souls
                 who
                 are
                 departed
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 not
                 
                   an
                   hour
                   since
                
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 rejoyce
                 for
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 this
                 priviledge
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   hearing
                   of
                   Terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 once
                 more
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 their
                 time
                 is
                 past
                 ,
                 their
                 house
                 is
                 left
                 unto
                 them
                 desolate
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 
                   tree
                   falleth
                
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 
                 must
                 lye
                 :
                 
                   It
                   is
                   appointed
                   unto
                   all
                   men
                   once
                   to
                   dye
                   ,
                   and
                   after
                   that
                   is
                   the
                   Judgement
                   ,
                
                 Heb
                 9.
                 27.
                 
                 After
                 death
                 there
                 are
                 
                   no
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 nothing
                 but
                 Judgement
                 .
                 The
                 Living
                 ,
                 the
                 living
                 ,
                 he
                 alone
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 this
                 Advantage
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 with
                 
                   them
                   to
                   whom
                   the
                   Gospel
                   is
                   not
                   preached
                   .
                
                 God
                 suffers
                 them
                 
                   to
                   walk
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   wayes
                   ,
                
                 and
                 calls
                 them
                 not
                 thus
                 to
                 repentance
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Terms
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                
                 which
                 some
                 fancy
                 to
                 be
                 offered
                 in
                 the
                 
                   shining
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   falling
                   of
                   the
                   rain
                
                 ,
                 never
                 brought
                 souls
                 to
                 peace
                 with
                 God.
                 
                   Life
                   and
                   Immortality
                
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 light
                 only
                 by
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 
                   your
                   priviledge
                
                 who
                 yet
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 have
                 the
                 Word
                 sounding
                 in
                 your
                 Ears
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 thus
                 with
                 
                   them
                   who
                   have
                   sinned
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 though
                 yet
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 living
                 where
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 preached
                 .
                 God
                 proposeth
                 unto
                 them
                 
                   no
                   terms
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                   .
                   Blasphemy
                   against
                   him
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   forgiven
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 31.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 
                   no
                   forgiveness
                
                 for
                 such
                 sinners
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 knew
                 them
                 ,
                 ought
                 not
                 
                   to
                   pray
                   for
                   them
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 5.
                 16.
                 
                 Their
                 
                   sin
                   is
                   unto
                   death
                
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 numbers
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 this
                 Condition
                 God
                 knows
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 Word
                 then
                 is
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 These
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   peace
                
                 are
                 proposed
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 
                   you
                   are
                   to
                   apply
                   your selves
                   unto
                   .
                
                 And
                 wo
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 found
                 to
                 have
                 neglected
                 it
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   By
                   whom
                   these
                   terms
                   are
                   proposed
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 and
                 by
                 whom
                 they
                 were
                 procured
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 
                   By
                   whom
                   are
                   they
                   proposed
                
                 ?
                 Who
                 shall
                 undertake
                 to
                 
                   umpire
                   the
                   business
                
                 ,
                 the
                 controversie
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 Sinners
                 ?
                 No
                 creature
                 doubtless
                 is
                 either
                 meet
                 or
                 worthy
                 to
                 interpose
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 I
                 mean
                 originally
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 account
                 .
                 For
                 
                   who
                   hath
                   known
                   the
                   mind
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   or
                   who
                   hath
                   been
                   his
                   counsellor
                   ?
                
                 Wherefore
                 it
                 is
                 
                   God
                   himself
                
                 who
                 proposeth
                 these
                 terms
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 only
                 proposeth
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   invites
                   ,
                   exhorts
                
                 ,
                 and
                 perswades
                 you
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 whole
                 Scriptures
                 testifie
                 unto
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 fully
                 expressed
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 He
                 hath
                 provided
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 proposed
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 use
                 only
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 of
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 to
                 act
                 in
                 his
                 Name
                 .
                 And
                 excuse
                 us
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 a
                 little
                 earnest
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 
                 Alas
                 ,
                 our
                 utmost
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 by
                 zeal
                 for
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 or
                 compassion
                 unto
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 raise
                 our
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 minds
                 ,
                 spirits
                 ,
                 words
                 unto
                 ,
                 comes
                 infinitly
                 short
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 
                   pressing
                   earnestness
                
                 herein
                 .
                 See
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Oh
                   infinite
                   condescention
                
                 !
                 O
                 blessed
                 Grace
                 !
                 Who
                 is
                 this
                 that
                 thus
                 bespeaks
                 you
                 ?
                 He
                 ,
                 
                   against
                   whom
                   you
                   have
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 you
                 are
                 justly
                 afraid
                 .
                 He
                 whose
                 Laws
                 you
                 have
                 broken
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 name
                 you
                 have
                 dishonoured
                 ;
                 He
                 who
                 
                   needs
                   not
                   you
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 your
                 Love
                 ,
                 nor
                 your
                 Friendship
                 ,
                 nor
                 your
                 Salvation
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 He
                 who
                 proposeth
                 unto
                 you
                 these
                 terms
                 of
                 Reconciliation
                 and
                 Peace
                 .
                 Consider
                 the
                 Exhortation
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 upon
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   See
                   that
                   you
                   refuse
                   not
                   him
                   that
                   speaketh
                   from
                   Heaven
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   God
                
                 that
                 speaks
                 unto
                 you
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 speaks
                 unto
                 you
                 
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 doth
                 therein
                 forego
                 all
                 the
                 Advantage
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 against
                 you
                 for
                 your
                 destruction
                 .
                 Wo
                 would
                 be
                 unto
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 should
                 refuse
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   By
                   whom
                
                 were
                 these
                 Terms
                 procured
                 for
                 you
                 ?
                 and
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 ?
                 Do
                 not
                 think
                 that
                 this
                 matter
                 was
                 brought
                 about
                 by
                 chance
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 an
                 ordinary
                 undertaking
                 .
                 Remember
                 that
                 the
                 proposal
                 made
                 unto
                 you
                 this
                 day
                 cost
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God.
                
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 
                   travail
                   of
                   his
                   soul.
                
                 For
                 this
                 he
                 prayed
                 ,
                 he
                 wept
                 ,
                 he
                 suffered
                 ,
                 he
                 dyed
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 it
                 now
                 be
                 neglected
                 or
                 despised
                 by
                 you
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 yet
                 account
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   common
                   thing
                
                 ?
                 Will
                 you
                 exclude
                 your selves
                 from
                 all
                 benefit
                 of
                 the
                 
                   purchase
                   of
                   these
                   terms
                
                 ,
                 and
                 only
                 leave
                 your
                 souls
                 to
                 answer
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Contempt
                   of
                   the
                   price
                
                 whereby
                 they
                 were
                 purchased
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Consider
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 great
                 sinners
                 ,
                 cursed
                 sinners
                 ;
                 Some
                 of
                 you
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 worse
                 than
                 innumerable
                 of
                 your
                 
                   fellow
                   sinners
                   were
                
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 now
                 in
                 Hell.
                 God
                 might
                 long
                 since
                 have
                 cast
                 you
                 off
                 everlastingly
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 expectation
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 caused
                 all
                 your
                 hopes
                 to
                 perish
                 .
                 Or
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 lest
                 you
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 have
                 refused
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 you
                 any
                 more
                 .
                 He
                 could
                 have
                 caused
                 your
                 Son
                 to
                 go
                 down
                 at
                 noon
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 given
                 you
                 darkness
                 instead
                 of
                 vision
                 .
                 He
                 could
                 
                   respite
                   your
                   lives
                
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 swear
                 
                 
                   in
                   his
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 should
                 never
                 enter
                 into
                 his
                 rest
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 now
                 otherwise
                 .
                 How
                 long
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 nor
                 you
                 ,
                 nor
                 I
                 know
                 any
                 thing
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 
                   God
                   only
                   knows
                
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 your
                 time
                 ,
                 what
                 your
                 continuance
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 to
                 speak
                 
                   whilst
                   it
                   is
                   called
                   to
                   day
                   .
                
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 offer
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 God
                 declares
                 that
                 there
                 
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 ;
                 that
                 your
                 condition
                 is
                 not
                 desperate
                 nor
                 helpless
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 yet
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 proposed
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 Methinks
                 it
                 cannot
                 but
                 seem
                 strange
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   poor
                   sinners
                
                 should
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 stir
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 enquire
                 after
                 them
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 poor
                 man
                 had
                 sold
                 himself
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Children
                 to
                 be
                 servants
                 ,
                 and
                 parted
                 with
                 the
                 
                   land
                   of
                   his
                   inheritance
                
                 unto
                 another
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 poverty
                 ;
                 with
                 what
                 heart
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 did
                 he
                 hear
                 the
                 
                   sound
                   of
                   the
                   Trumpet
                
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 began
                 to
                 proclaim
                 the
                 
                   year
                   of
                   Jubilee
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 were
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 at
                 liberty
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 return
                 unto
                 his
                 possession
                 and
                 Inheritance
                 ?
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 
                   poor
                   servants
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 slaves
                 unto
                 Satan
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 forfeited
                 all
                 their
                 Inheritance
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 attend
                 unto
                 any
                 Proclamation
                 of
                 the
                 year
                 of
                 Rest
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 acceptable
                 year
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 in
                 the
                 tender
                 of
                 terms
                 of
                 Peace
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 put
                 it
                 off
                 ;
                 this
                 thing
                 belongs
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 The
                 great
                 concernment
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 lyes
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 matter
                 ;
                 for
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 That
                 when
                 the
                 Angels
                 came
                 to
                 bring
                 the
                 news
                 of
                 the
                 Birth
                 of
                 our
                 
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 bring
                 
                   tydings
                   of
                   great
                   joy
                   to
                   the
                   whole
                   people
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 What
                 are
                 these
                 
                   joyful
                   tydings
                
                 ?
                 What
                 was
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 this
                 report
                 ?
                 Why
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   day
                   is
                   born
                   a
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   Christ
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 11.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 only
                 this
                 ;
                 
                   a
                   Saviour
                   is
                   born
                
                 ;
                 
                   a
                   way
                   of
                   escape
                
                 is
                 provided
                 ,
                 and
                 further
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 proceed
                 .
                 Yet
                 this
                 they
                 say
                 
                   is
                   a
                   matter
                   of
                   great
                   joy
                   ,
                
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 indeed
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 so
                 to
                 every
                 burdned
                 
                   convinced
                   sinner
                
                 ,
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 unspeakable
                 joy
                 and
                 rejoycing
                 .
                 Oh
                 blessed
                 words
                 !
                 
                   a
                   Saviour
                   is
                   born
                
                 .
                 This
                 gives
                 life
                 to
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 opens
                 
                   a
                   door
                   of
                   hope
                   in
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   Achor
                   .
                
                 The
                 first
                 rescue
                 of
                 a
                 sin
                 distressed
                 soul.
                 Upon
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 Saints
                 for
                 many
                 Ages
                 had
                 to
                 live
                 upon
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 the
                 expectation
                 .
                 They
                 lived
                 on
                 that
                 Word
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   seed
                   of
                   the
                   Woman
                   shall
                   break
                   the
                   Serpents
                   head
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 way
                 
                 
                   of
                   deliverance
                   is
                   provided
                
                 for
                 sinners
                 .
                 This
                 with
                 all
                 
                   diligence
                   they
                   enquired
                   into
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 and
                 improved
                 it
                 to
                 their
                 eternal
                 advantage
                 .
                 As
                 of
                 
                   old
                   ,
                   Jacob
                
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 the
                 Waggons
                 that
                 his
                 
                   Son
                   Joseph
                
                 had
                 sent
                 to
                 bring
                 him
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 
                   his
                   Spirit
                   revived
                
                 :
                 So
                 did
                 they
                 upon
                 their
                 
                   obscure
                   discovery
                   of
                   a
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
                 They
                 looked
                 upon
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 sent
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 saw
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoyced
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 have
                 Sinners
                 now
                 Reason
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   substance
                   of
                   the
                   Promise
                
                 is
                 exhibited
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 news
                 of
                 his
                 Comeing
                 proclaimed
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 then
                 is
                 a
                 
                   great
                   matter
                
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 and
                 Reconciliation
                 are
                 proposed
                 ;
                 in
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 made
                 known
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God.
                
                 Upon
                 these
                 Considerations
                 then
                 we
                 pursue
                 that
                 Exhortation
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 in
                 hand
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 were
                 justly
                 condemned
                 to
                 a
                 
                   cruel
                   and
                   shamefull
                   death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 trembling
                 in
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 the
                 execution
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 man
                 designed
                 for
                 that
                 purpose
                 should
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 him
                 that
                 
                   there
                   were
                   terms
                   propounded
                
                 on
                 which
                 his
                 life
                 might
                 be
                 spared
                 ,
                 only
                 he
                 came
                 away
                 like
                 Ahimaaz
                 before
                 he
                 heard
                 the
                 particulars
                 ;
                 would
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 reviving
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 would
                 he
                 not
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Pray
                   enquire
                   what
                   they
                   are
                
                 ,
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 so
                 difficult
                 which
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 undergoe
                 to
                 free
                 my self
                 from
                 this
                 miserable
                 condition
                 ?
                 Would
                 it
                 not
                 change
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 
                   put
                   new
                   life
                
                 into
                 him
                 ?
                 But
                 now
                 if
                 instead
                 hereof
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 froward
                 ,
                 stubborn
                 and
                 obstinate
                 ,
                 take
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 Messenger
                 ,
                 or
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   Judge
                   keep
                   his
                   terms
                   to
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 without
                 inquiring
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 nothing
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 would
                 not
                 such
                 a
                 person
                 be
                 deemed
                 to
                 
                   perish
                   deservedly
                
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 not
                 bring
                 a
                 double
                 destruction
                 upon
                 himself
                 ;
                 first
                 of
                 deserving
                 death
                 by
                 his
                 crimes
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 by
                 refusing
                 the
                 honest
                 and
                 good
                 way
                 of
                 delivery
                 tendred
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 I
                 confess
                 it
                 often
                 times
                 falls
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 enquire
                 after
                 these
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 revealed
                 ,
                 they
                 like
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 
                   young
                   man
                   in
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 they
                 go
                 away
                 sorrowfull
                 .
                 The
                 cursed
                 wickedness
                 and
                 misery
                 of
                 which
                 condition
                 ,
                 which
                 
                 befalls
                 many
                 
                   convinced
                   persons
                
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 afterwards
                 .
                 At
                 present
                 I
                 speak
                 unto
                 them
                 who
                 never
                 yet
                 
                   attended
                   in
                   sincerity
                
                 unto
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 nor
                 seriously
                 enquired
                 after
                 them
                 .
                 Think
                 you
                 what
                 you
                 please
                 of
                 your
                 Condition
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 your selves
                 ;
                 or
                 choose
                 whether
                 you
                 will
                 think
                 of
                 it
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 pass
                 your
                 time
                 in
                 a
                 
                   full
                   regardlesness
                
                 ,
                 of
                 your
                 present
                 and
                 future
                 Estate
                 .
                 Yet
                 indeed
                 thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 your
                 eternal
                 concerns
                 ;
                 you
                 lye
                 under
                 
                   the
                   sentence
                   of
                   a
                   bitter
                   ,
                   shamefull
                   ,
                   and
                   everlasting
                   death
                
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 jollity
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 you
                 came
                 into
                 this
                 world
                 :
                 And
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 
                   hand
                   of
                   him
                
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 in
                 the
                 twinkling
                 of
                 an
                 eye
                 destroy
                 both
                 
                   body
                   and
                   soul
                
                 in
                 Hell
                 fire
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 men
                 are
                 sent
                 on
                 purpose
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 you
                 know
                 that
                 there
                 
                   are
                   terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 yet
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 escape
                 for
                 you
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 not
                 avoid
                 the
                 issue
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 they
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   God
                   that
                   cannot
                   lye
                
                 ,
                 hath
                 commanded
                 them
                 to
                 tell
                 you
                 so
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 
                   question
                   the
                   truth
                
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 produce
                 their
                 warrant
                 under
                 Gods
                 own
                 hand
                 and
                 seal
                 ;
                 here
                 then
                 is
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 tergiversation
                 or
                 excuses
                 .
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 care
                 of
                 your
                 
                   eternal
                   estate
                
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 drop
                 of
                 tender
                 blood
                 running
                 in
                 your
                 veins
                 towards
                 your
                 own
                 souls
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 
                   rational
                   considerations
                
                 dwelling
                 in
                 your
                 minds
                 ,
                 if
                 all
                 be
                 not
                 defaced
                 and
                 obliterated
                 through
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   lust
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   love
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 but
                 take
                 your selves
                 to
                 be
                 unspeakably
                 concerned
                 in
                 this
                 proposal
                 ;
                 But
                 now
                 if
                 instead
                 hereof
                 ,
                 you
                 give
                 up
                 your selves
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   unbelief
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   will
                   of
                   Sathan
                
                 ,
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 your
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 present
                 world
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 take
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 this
                 errand
                 or
                 message
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 once
                 seriously
                 to
                 enquire
                 after
                 the
                 
                   nature
                   and
                   importance
                   of
                   the
                   terms
                   proposed
                   ,
                
                 Can
                 you
                 escape
                 ?
                 shall
                 you
                 be
                 delivered
                 ?
                 will
                 your
                 latter
                 end
                 be
                 peace
                 ?
                 The
                 Lord
                 knows
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 otherwise
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 the
                 Apostle
                 assures
                 us
                 :
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 
                   If
                   our
                   Gospel
                   be
                   hid
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   hid
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   lost
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   this
                   world
                   hath
                   blinded
                   the
                   minds
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   believe
                   not
                   ,
                   lest
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   the
                   Glorious
                   Gospel
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   should
                   shine
                   into
                   them
                   .
                
                 If
                 you
                 
                   receive
                   not
                
                 this
                 word
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 bid
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 efficacy
                 of
                 Sathan
                 
                 upon
                 your
                 minds
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 end
                 ?
                 Perish
                 you
                 must
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 Remember
                 the
                 Parable
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Luke
                 14.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 
                   What
                   King
                   ,
                   going
                   to
                   make
                   warre
                   ,
                   against
                   another
                   King
                   ,
                   sitteth
                   not
                   down
                   first
                   ,
                   and
                   consulteth
                   whether
                   he
                   be
                   able
                   with
                   Ten
                   Thousand
                   to
                   meet
                   him
                   that
                   cometh
                   against
                   him
                   with
                   Twenty
                   Thousand
                   ;
                   or
                   else
                   while
                   the
                   other
                   is
                   yet
                   a
                   great
                   way
                   off
                   ,
                   he
                   sendeth
                   an
                   Ambassage
                   and
                   desireth
                   conditions
                   of
                   Peace
                   .
                
                 That
                 which
                 he
                 teacheth
                 in
                 this
                 Parable
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 necessity
                 that
                 lyes
                 on
                 us
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   making
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 provoked
                 ,
                 and
                 justly
                 made
                 to
                 be
                 our
                 Enemy
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 our
                 
                   utter
                   impotency
                
                 to
                 resist
                 and
                 withstand
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 forth
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Judgement
                 and
                 Vengeance
                 against
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 here
                 lyes
                 a
                 difference
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 is
                 allowed
                 in
                 all
                 similitudes
                 ;
                 Amongst
                 men
                 at
                 variance
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 part
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 stronger
                 ,
                 and
                 secure
                 of
                 success
                 ,
                 to
                 send
                 to
                 the
                 weaker
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 terms
                 of
                 Peace
                 .
                 Here
                 it
                 is
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 God
                 who
                 is
                 
                   infinitely
                   powerfull
                
                 ,
                 justly
                 provoked
                 ,
                 and
                 able
                 to
                 destroy
                 poor
                 sinners
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 ;
                 when
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 
                   very
                   farre
                   off
                
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 
                   very
                   door
                
                 ,
                 sends
                 himself
                 an
                 Ambassage
                 with
                 Conditions
                 of
                 Peace
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 he
                 be
                 refused
                 by
                 you
                 ?
                 will
                 you
                 yet
                 neglect
                 his
                 offers
                 ?
                 How
                 great
                 then
                 will
                 be
                 your
                 destruction
                 ?
              
               
                 Hear
                 then
                 once
                 more
                 poor
                 
                   sin-hardened
                   sensless
                   souls
                   ,
                   ye
                   stout-hearted
                   ,
                
                 that
                 are
                 far
                 from
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 nothing
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   great
                   and
                   holy
                   God
                
                 whom
                 ye
                 have
                 provoked
                 all
                 your
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 you
                 yet
                 continue
                 to
                 provoke
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 
                   need
                   of
                   you
                
                 or
                 your
                 salvation
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 when
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 eternally
                 glorifie
                 himself
                 in
                 your
                 destruction
                 ,
                 should
                 of
                 his
                 
                   own
                   accord
                
                 send
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 you
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 willing
                 to
                 
                   be
                   at
                   peace
                
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 terms
                 he
                 had
                 prepared
                 ?
                 The
                 Enmity
                 began
                 on
                 your
                 part
                 ,
                 the
                 danger
                 is
                 on
                 your
                 part
                 only
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 might
                 justly
                 expect
                 that
                 the
                 
                   message
                   for
                   peace
                
                 should
                 begin
                 on
                 your
                 part
                 also
                 ;
                 But
                 he
                 begins
                 with
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 he
                 be
                 rejected
                 ?
                 The
                 Prophet
                 well
                 expresseth
                 this
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 30.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   holy
                   One
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   in
                   returning
                   and
                   rest
                   shall
                   ye
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   in
                   quietness
                   and
                   confidence
                   shall
                   be
                   your
                   strength
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   would
                   not
                   .
                
                 The
                 Love
                 and
                 Condescention
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 
                   one
                   hand
                
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 
                 part
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 folly
                 and
                 ingratitude
                 mentioned
                 in
                 them
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 hand
                 is
                 inexpressible
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 fearfull
                 words
                 ;
                 
                   But
                   you
                   would
                   not
                
                 .
                 Remember
                 this
                 against
                 another
                 day
                 .
                 As
                 our
                 Saviour
                 sayes
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 manner
                 to
                 the
                 Jewes
                 ;
                 
                   You
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   may
                   have
                   life
                   .
                
                 Whatever
                 is
                 pretended
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 will
                 and
                 stubbornness
                 that
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 this
                 refusal
                 .
              
               
                 Wherefore
                 ,
                 that
                 either
                 
                   You
                   may
                   obtain
                   Advantage
                
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 may
                 be
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 Glorifying
                 of
                 himself
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 leave
                 this
                 word
                 before
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 hear
                 ,
                 or
                 read
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Testimony
                 which
                 God
                 requires
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 unto
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 
                   terms
                   of
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                
                 provided
                 for
                 you
                 and
                 tendred
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 yet
                 
                   called
                   to
                   day
                
                 ,
                 harden
                 not
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 like
                 them
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 who
                 could
                 not
                 
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Rest
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 Some
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   old
                   in
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 and
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 great
                 sinners
                 ,
                 scandalous
                 sinners
                 ;
                 and
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 have
                 reason
                 to
                 apprehend
                 your selves
                 neer
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 also
                 to
                 hell
                 ;
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 have
                 your
                 Consciences
                 disquieted
                 and
                 galled
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 under
                 some
                 outward
                 Troubles
                 ,
                 and
                 Perplexities
                 ,
                 that
                 cause
                 you
                 a
                 little
                 to
                 look
                 about
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 madness
                 of
                 your
                 natural
                 strength
                 and
                 lusts
                 ;
                 
                   your
                   breasts
                   are
                   full
                   of
                   milk
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   bones
                   of
                   marrow
                   ,
                
                 and
                 your
                 hearts
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 pride
                 and
                 contempt
                 of
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 All
                 is
                 one
                 ;
                 This
                 word
                 is
                 
                   unto
                   you
                   all
                
                 ;
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 mind
                 you
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   fearfull
                   thing
                   to
                   fall
                   into
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   God.
                
                 You
                 hear
                 the
                 voyce
                 ,
                 or
                 read
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 a
                 
                   poor
                   worm
                
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Message
                 is
                 the
                 Message
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 shaketh
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 .
                 Consider
                 then
                 well
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 answer
                 you
                 will
                 return
                 unto
                 him
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 mocked
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ;
                 Why
                 ,
                 what
                 great
                 matter
                 is
                 there
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 in
                 hand
                 ?
                 why
                 is
                 it
                 urged
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 earnestness
                 ?
                 We
                 have
                 heard
                 the
                 same
                 words
                 
                   an
                   hundred
                   times
                   over
                
                 .
                 The
                 last
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 
                   such
                   a
                   one
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   such
                   a
                   one
                
                 preached
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 ;
                 And
                 what
                 need
                 it
                 be
                 insisted
                 on
                 now
                 again
                 ,
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 importunity
                 ?
              
               
               
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 indeed
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 thus
                 frequently
                 been
                 dealt
                 withall
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 yet
                 continue
                 in
                 an
                 Estate
                 of
                 irreconciliation
                 ;
                 
                   my
                   heart
                   is
                   pained
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 your
                 wofull
                 and
                 almost
                 remediless
                 condition
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 that
                 
                   being
                   often
                   reproved
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   stiffeneth
                   his
                   neck
                   ,
                   shall
                   perish
                   suddenly
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   without
                   remedy
                   ,
                   Prov.
                
                 29.
                 1.
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 will
                 he
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 often
                 
                   invited
                   unto
                   Peace
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                   hardeneth
                   his
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 and
                 refuseth
                 to
                 treat
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 Methinks
                 I
                 hear
                 his
                 voyce
                 concerning
                 you
                 ;
                 
                   Those
                   mine
                   enemies
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   taste
                   of
                   the
                   Supper
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   prepared
                   .
                
                 Be
                 it
                 then
                 that
                 the
                 word
                 in
                 hand
                 is
                 a
                 
                   common
                   word
                
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 set
                 no
                 value
                 upon
                 it
                 ;
                 then
                 take
                 your
                 way
                 and
                 course
                 in
                 sin
                 ;
                 stumble
                 ,
                 fall
                 ,
                 and
                 perish
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 slight
                 a
                 matter
                 to
                 poor
                 
                   convinced
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 that
                 tremble
                 at
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God.
                 These
                 will
                 
                   prize
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 improve
                 it
                 .
                 We
                 shall
                 follow
                 then
                 that
                 counsel
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 31.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Give
                   strong
                   drink
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   ready
                   to
                   perish
                   ,
                   and
                   wine
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   be
                   of
                   an
                   heavy
                   heart
                   .
                
                 We
                 shall
                 tender
                 this
                 
                   New
                   Wine
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 to
                 poor
                 sad
                 hearted
                 ,
                 conscience
                 distressed
                 sinners
                 ;
                 sinners
                 that
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 perish
                 ;
                 to
                 them
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 
                   drink
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   forget
                   their
                   poverty
                
                 ,
                 and
                 remember
                 their
                 misery
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 It
                 shall
                 take
                 away
                 all
                 their
                 sorrow
                 and
                 sadness
                 ;
                 when
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 
                   drunk
                   with
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   your
                   lusts
                   ,
                
                 and
                 spue
                 ,
                 and
                 lie
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 rise
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 shall
                 begin
                 to
                 say
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   you
                   would
                   willingly
                   treat
                   with
                   God
                
                 ;
                 oh
                 that
                 the
                 day
                 were
                 come
                 wherein
                 we
                 might
                 approach
                 unto
                 him
                 !
                 let
                 him
                 speak
                 what
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 ,
                 and
                 propose
                 
                   what
                   terms
                
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 hear
                 .
                 Then
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   the
                   Terms
                
                 provided
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 proposed
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   equal
                   ,
                   holy
                   ,
                   righteous
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 and
                 easie
                 .
                 This
                 being
                 another
                 General
                 Head
                 of
                 our
                 work
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 before
                 I
                 proceed
                 to
                 the
                 further
                 explication
                 and
                 confirmation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 educe
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 Observations
                 from
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 delivered
                 on
                 the
                 first
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 See
                 here
                 on
                 what
                 foundation
                 we
                 preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Many
                 disputes
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 whether
                 
                   Christ
                   died
                   for
                   all
                   individuals
                   of
                   Mankinde
                   or
                   no
                
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 say
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 Elect
                 who
                 are
                 
                   some
                   of
                   all
                   sorts
                
                 ;
                 some
                 then
                 tell
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 invite
                 all
                 
                 men
                 promiscuously
                 to
                 believe
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 so
                 ;
                 we
                 invite
                 not
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   all
                   men
                
                 ;
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   one
                   of
                   all
                   men
                
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 men
                 
                   as
                   Sinners
                
                 :
                 And
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 
                   Christ
                   died
                   for
                   Sinners
                
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 this
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 to
                 propose
                 to
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 That
                 
                   Christ
                   dyed
                   for
                   him
                   in
                   particular
                   .
                
                 Is
                 that
                 the
                 
                   beginning
                   of
                   our
                   Message
                
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 were
                 not
                 this
                 a
                 ready
                 way
                 to
                 induce
                 him
                 to
                 conclude
                 ,
                 Let
                 me
                 then
                 continue
                 in
                 sin
                 that
                 Grace
                 may
                 abound
                 ;
                 No
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 in
                 
                   order
                   of
                   Nature
                
                 our
                 first
                 work
                 ;
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 had
                 in
                 hand
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   voyce
                   of
                   one
                   crying
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                   ,
                   prepare
                   ye
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 
                   way
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                   provided
                
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 reconciling
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 acceptance
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 Forgiveness
                 with
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 obtained
                 .
                 At
                 this
                 
                   Threshold
                   of
                   the
                   Lords
                   house
                
                 ,
                 doth
                 the
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 men
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 preached
                 fall
                 and
                 perish
                 ,
                 never
                 looking
                 in
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Treasures
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 it self
                 ;
                 never
                 coming
                 into
                 any
                 such
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 have
                 any
                 ground
                 or
                 bottom
                 to
                 enquire
                 ,
                 
                   whether
                   Christ
                   dyed
                   for
                   them
                   in
                   particular
                   or
                   no.
                
                 They
                 believe
                 not
                 
                   this
                   report
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 take
                 any
                 serious
                 notice
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Baptist
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 who
                 received
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 rejected
                 the
                 
                   counsel
                   of
                   God
                   concerning
                   their
                   salvation
                   ,
                   Luke
                
                 7.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 perished
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 summe
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 invitation
                 given
                 by
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 9.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 here
                 men
                 stumble
                 ,
                 fall
                 ,
                 and
                 perish
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 You
                 that
                 have
                 found
                 grace
                 and
                 favour
                 to
                 
                   accept
                   of
                   these
                   terms
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 to
                 obtain
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 Learn
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 an
                 holy
                 Admiration
                 of
                 his
                 condescension
                 and
                 love
                 therein
                 .
                 That
                 he
                 would
                 provide
                 such
                 terms
                 ;
                 That
                 he
                 would
                 reveal
                 them
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 enable
                 you
                 to
                 receive
                 them
                 .
                 Unspeakable
                 Love
                 and
                 Grace
                 lyes
                 in
                 it
                 all
                 .
                 Many
                 have
                 not
                 these
                 terms
                 revealed
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 few
                 find
                 favour
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 whom
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 obtained
                 this
                 peculiar
                 mercy
                 ?
              
               
                 Do
                 you
                 aright
                 consider
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 ?
                 The
                 Scripture
                 proposeth
                 it
                 as
                 an
                 object
                 of
                 eternal
                 admiration
                 ,
                 So
                 
                 
                   God
                   loved
                   the
                   World
                   ;
                   herein
                   is
                   love
                   ,
                
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 loved
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 loved
                 us
                 first
                 .
                 Live
                 in
                 this
                 Admiration
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 your
                 utmost
                 in
                 your
                 several
                 capacities
                 to
                 prevail
                 with
                 your
                 Friends
                 ,
                 Relations
                 ,
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 to
                 hearken
                 after
                 this
                 great
                 treaty
                 of
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 terms
                 we
                 shall
                 nextly
                 consider
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 in
                 generall
                 they
                 were
                 expressed
                 .
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 terms
                 provided
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 proposed
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   equal
                   ,
                   holy
                   ,
                   righteous
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 pleasant
                 and
                 
                   easie
                   ,
                   Hes.
                
                 2.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   cursed
                   guilty
                   sinner
                
                 might
                 justly
                 expect
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 meet
                 for
                 an
                 infinitely
                 Good
                 and
                 
                   Gracious
                   God
                
                 to
                 propose
                 ;
                 not
                 suited
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Wisdom
                   of
                   man
                
                 ,
                 but
                 full
                 of
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 poor
                 
                   convinced
                   wretch
                
                 ,
                 thinking
                 of
                 dealing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 Micah
                 6.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 rolls
                 in
                 his
                 mind
                 what
                 terms
                 he
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 meet
                 withall
                 ;
                 and
                 fixes
                 on
                 the
                 most
                 
                   dreadfull
                   ,
                   difficult
                
                 ,
                 and
                 impossible
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 imagined
                 .
                 If
                 saith
                 he
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 done
                 with
                 this
                 Great
                 and
                 most
                 high
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 by
                 
                   Rivers
                   ,
                   Thousands
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Ten
                   Thousands
                   ,
                   Children
                   ,
                   first
                   born
                
                 ;
                 whatever
                 is
                 dreadfull
                 and
                 terrible
                 to
                 Nature
                 ,
                 whatever
                 is
                 impossible
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 perform
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 it
                 which
                 he
                 
                   looks
                   for
                
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 matter
                 is
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 .
                 The
                 terms
                 are
                 wholly
                 of
                 another
                 nature
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 
                   meer
                   mercy
                
                 ,
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 free
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 lays
                 it
                 down
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 propitiation
                 ,
                 of
                 pardon
                 ,
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 the
                 Terms
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Acceptance
                   of
                   the
                   forgiveness
                
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 described
                 .
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 think
                 now
                 that
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   world
                
                 would
                 run
                 in
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 willingly
                 accepting
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 proves
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 .
                 Men
                 
                   like
                   not
                   this
                   way
                
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 It
                 had
                 been
                 something
                 ,
                 says
                 Naaman
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Prophet
                 had
                 come
                 and
                 done
                 so
                 and
                 so
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   Go
                   ,
                   wash
                   and
                   be
                   clean
                   ,
                
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 like
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 but
                 deluded
                 .
                 Men
                 think
                 within
                 themselves
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 
                   some
                   great
                   thing
                
                 that
                 was
                 required
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 with
                 all
                 speed
                 address
                 themselves
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 come
                 
                   to
                   God
                   by
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 freely
                 forgiven
                 without
                 more
                 adoe
                 ,
                 they
                 like
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 Some
                 
                   rigid
                   austere
                   penances
                
                 ,
                 some
                 
                   compensatory
                   obedience
                
                 ,
                 some
                 
                   satisfactory
                   mortification
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Purgatory
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 more
                 likely
                 
                 way
                 .
                 This
                 of
                 
                   meer
                   pardon
                
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 folly
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 18.
                 20.
                 
                 I
                 had
                 rather
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Jew
                 ,
                 have
                 
                   it
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   by
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 32.
                 and
                 Chap.
                 10.
                 3.
                 
                 This
                 way
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 I
                 like
                 not
                 .
                 So
                 say
                 others
                 also
                 .
                 So
                 practise
                 others
                 every
                 day
                 ;
                 either
                 this
                 way
                 is
                 wholly
                 rejected
                 ,
                 or
                 it
                 is
                 mended
                 by
                 some
                 additions
                 ;
                 which
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 with
                 the
                 rejection
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 multitudes
                 of
                 Souls
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 and
                 perish
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 whether
                 be
                 more
                 difficult
                 ,
                 to
                 perswade
                 an
                 
                   unconvinced
                   person
                
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 
                   any
                   terms
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 
                   convinced
                   Person
                
                 to
                 
                   accept
                   of
                   these
                
                 .
                 Let
                 men
                 say
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 pretend
                 what
                 they
                 please
                 ;
                 yet
                 practically
                 they
                 
                   like
                   not
                   this
                   way
                
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 offer
                 some
                 subservient
                 Considerations
                 ,
                 tending
                 to
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 your
                 Souls
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 the
                 Terms
                 proposed
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 Terms
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   own
                   choosing
                
                 ;
                 He
                 found
                 out
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 he
                 established
                 it
                 himself
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 it
                 when
                 all
                 was
                 lost
                 ,
                 and
                 undone
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 it
                 not
                 upon
                 our
                 desire
                 ,
                 request
                 ,
                 or
                 proposal
                 ,
                 but
                 meerly
                 of
                 his
                 
                   own
                   Accord
                
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 should
                 we
                 contend
                 with
                 him
                 about
                 it
                 ?
                 If
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 us
                 saved
                 in
                 a
                 
                   way
                   of
                   meer
                   mercy
                
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 If
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Soveraignty
                 be
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 oppose
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 we
                 like
                 it
                 not
                 ?
                 Yet
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Many
                 poor
                 Creatures
                 have
                 disputed
                 it
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 untill
                 at
                 length
                 being
                 over-powered
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 If
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 will
                 save
                 us
                 by
                 
                   Mercy
                   and
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 we
                 yield
                 our selves
                 to
                 his
                 will
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 throughout
                 their
                 disputes
                 dreamed
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 that
                 their
                 own
                 unworthiness
                 only
                 kept
                 them
                 from
                 closing
                 with
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 Of
                 this
                 nature
                 was
                 that
                 
                   way
                   of
                   Sathan
                
                 whereby
                 he
                 deceived
                 our
                 
                   first
                   Parents
                
                 of
                 their
                 Interest
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   works
                
                 ;
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 as
                 apprehended
                 by
                 you
                 ,
                 are
                 unequal
                 .
                 
                   Yea
                   ,
                   hath
                   God
                   said
                   ,
                   ye
                   shall
                   eat
                   of
                   every
                   Tree
                   of
                   the
                   Garden
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   the
                   Tree
                   of
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   good
                   and
                   evil
                   ,
                   ye
                   shall
                   not
                   eat
                   ,
                   lest
                   ye
                   die
                
                 ;
                 come
                 ,
                 you
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   dye
                   ,
                   for
                   God
                   doth
                   know
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   you
                   eat
                   thereof
                   your
                   eyes
                   shall
                   be
                   opened
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 proportion
                 between
                 the
                 disobedience
                 and
                 the
                 threatning
                 .
                 The
                 Issue
                 
                 cannot
                 be
                 such
                 as
                 is
                 feared
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 these
                 means
                 he
                 ruined
                 them
                 .
                 Thus
                 also
                 he
                 proceeds
                 to
                 deprive
                 Souls
                 of
                 their
                 Interest
                 in
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 they
                 are
                 invited
                 .
                 The
                 Terms
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 unequall
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 any
                 man
                 believe
                 them
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 proportion
                 between
                 the
                 Obedience
                 and
                 the
                 Promise
                 .
                 To
                 have
                 pardon
                 ,
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 blessed
                 Eternity
                 on
                 believing
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 rest
                 in
                 it
                 ?
                 And
                 here
                 lyes
                 a
                 conspiracy
                 between
                 Sathan
                 and
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Love
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Soveraignty
                 of
                 God.
                 The
                 poyson
                 of
                 this
                 deceit
                 lyes
                 in
                 this
                 ;
                 that
                 neither
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Mercy
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 of
                 that
                 infiniteness
                 ,
                 as
                 indeed
                 they
                 are
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 to
                 remove
                 this
                 fond
                 imagination
                 ,
                 calls
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 27.
                 
                 
                   It
                   pleased
                   God
                   by
                   the
                   foolishness
                   of
                   Preaching
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 Gospel
                 preached
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 esteemed
                 foolishness
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   save
                   Believers
                
                 .
                 He
                 suffered
                 men
                 indeed
                 to
                 
                   make
                   tryall
                
                 of
                 other
                 wayes
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 their
                 insufficiency
                 for
                 the
                 Ends
                 men
                 proposed
                 to
                 themselves
                 was
                 sufficiently
                 manifested
                 ,
                 it
                 pleased
                 him
                 to
                 reveal
                 his
                 way
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 contend
                 about
                 it
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 This
                 Rejection
                 of
                 the
                 
                   way
                   of
                   personal
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 choosing
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 God
                 asserts
                 ,
                 Jerem.
                 31.
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 
                   Behold
                   ,
                   the
                   dayes
                   come
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   a
                   new
                   Covenant
                   with
                   the
                   house
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 
                   and
                   the
                   house
                   of
                
                 Judah
                 .
                 
                   Not
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Covenant
                   which
                   I
                   made
                   with
                   their
                   Fathers
                
                 :
                 (
                 in
                 which
                 Administration
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 it
                 had
                 respect
                 unto
                 Typical
                 mercies
                 ,
                 much
                 depended
                 on
                 their
                 personal
                 obedience
                 )
                 
                   But
                   this
                   shall
                   be
                   the
                   Covenant
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   with
                   the
                   house
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   these
                   dayes
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   —
                   I
                   will
                   put
                   my
                   Laws
                   ,
                   &c.
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   forgive
                   their
                   iniquities
                   ,
                   and
                   remember
                   their
                   sins
                   no
                   more
                   .
                
                 Let
                 then
                 this
                 way
                 stand
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 mans
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 self
                 Righteousness
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 
                   is
                   the
                   way
                   that
                   above
                   all
                   others
                   atends
                   directly
                   and
                   immediately
                   to
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God.
                
                 God
                 hath
                 managed
                 and
                 ordered
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 
                   no
                   flesh
                   should
                   glory
                   in
                   his
                   presence
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   he
                   that
                   glorieth
                   should
                   glory
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 29.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   Where
                   then
                   is
                   Boasting
                   ?
                   it
                   is
                   excluded
                   ;
                   by
                   what
                   Law
                   ?
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Works
                   ;
                   nay
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                
                 
                 Faith
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 27.
                 
                 It
                 might
                 be
                 easily
                 manifested
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 so
                 
                   laid
                   the
                   design
                
                 of
                 saving
                 Sinners
                 by
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 utterly
                 impossible
                 that
                 any
                 Soul
                 should
                 on
                 any
                 account
                 whatever
                 have
                 the
                 least
                 Ground
                 of
                 Glorying
                 ,
                 or
                 boasting
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 either
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 perish
                 .
                 If
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 same
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   were
                   justified
                   by
                   works
                   ,
                   he
                   had
                   whereof
                   to
                   glory
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   before
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Chap.
                 4.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Obedience
                   of
                   works
                
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 infinitely
                 disproportionate
                 to
                 the
                 Reward
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 had
                 been
                 no
                 glorying
                 before
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 therein
                 his
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 must
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 
                   comparison
                   with
                   others
                
                 who
                 yielded
                 not
                 the
                 
                   Obedience
                   required
                
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 
                   have
                   had
                   wherein
                   to
                   glory
                
                 ;
                 But
                 now
                 this
                 also
                 is
                 cast
                 off
                 by
                 the
                 
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 pretence
                 is
                 left
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 claim
                 the
                 least
                 share
                 in
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 it
                 but
                 God
                 alone
                 ;
                 and
                 herein
                 lyes
                 the
                 
                   excellency
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 
                   gives
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 20.
                 the
                 denyal
                 whereof
                 under
                 various
                 pretences
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 
                   proud
                   unbelief
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 will
                 bring
                 all
                 unto
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 shall
                 perish
                 ;
                 Namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   shame
                   be
                   ours
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   Glory
                
                 of
                 our
                 salvation
                 be
                 his
                 alone
                 .
                 So
                 he
                 expresseth
                 his
                 design
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 45.
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 v.
                 22.
                 he
                 proposeth
                 himself
                 as
                 the
                 
                   only
                   relief
                
                 for
                 Sinners
                 ;
                 
                   Look
                   unto
                   me
                
                 ,
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   and
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   all
                   ye
                   ends
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 ;
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 men
                 take
                 some
                 other
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   look
                   well
                   to
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 decline
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 meer
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 wh●
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 v.
                 23.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sworn
                   by
                   my self
                   ,
                   the
                   Word
                   is
                   gone
                   out
                   of
                   my
                   mouth
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   not
                   return
                   ,
                   that
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   every
                   Knee
                   shall
                   bow
                   ,
                   and
                   every
                   Tongue
                   shall
                   swear
                   .
                
                 Look
                 you
                 unto
                 that
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 sworn
                 that
                 you
                 shall
                 either
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 or
                 answer
                 your
                 disobedience
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 ;
                 whereunto
                 Paul
                 applyes
                 those
                 words
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 11.
                 what
                 do
                 the
                 Saints
                 hereupon
                 ?
                 v.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 
                   Surely
                   shall
                   one
                   say
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   have
                   I
                   Righteousness
                   and
                   strength
                   .
                   In
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   all
                   the
                   seed
                   of
                   Israel
                   be
                   justified
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   glory
                   .
                
                 They
                 bring
                 their
                 hearts
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 
                   all
                   Righteousness
                
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 
                   all
                   Glory
                
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 at
                 first
                 placed
                 Man
                 in
                 a
                 blessed
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 dependance
                 on
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 
                   wrought
                   out
                
                 his
                 Eternal
                 happiness
                 with
                 a
                 great
                 Reputation
                 of
                 Glory
                 
                 unto
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   Man
                   being
                
                 in
                 this
                 honour
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   abode
                   not
                
                 .
                 God
                 now
                 fixes
                 
                   on
                   another
                   way
                
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 wherein
                 all
                 
                   the
                   Glory
                
                 shall
                 be
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 at
                 large
                 sets
                 it
                 forth
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 Now
                 neither
                 the
                 way
                 from
                 which
                 Adam
                 fell
                 ,
                 nor
                 that
                 wherein
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Angels
                 continued
                 ,
                 which
                 for
                 the
                 substance
                 were
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 this
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 bringing
                 Glory
                 unto
                 God.
                 I
                 hate
                 curiosities
                 and
                 conjectures
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 Yet
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 interposition
                 of
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 may
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 there
                 comes
                 more
                 glory
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 saving
                 
                   one
                   sinner
                
                 in
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 giving
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 blessedness
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Angels
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 So
                 seems
                 it
                 to
                 appear
                 ,
                 from
                 that
                 solemn
                 Representation
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 the
                 Ascription
                 of
                 Glory
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 whole
                 Creation
                 ,
                 Revel
                 .
                 5.
                 9.
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 All
                 centers
                 in
                 the
                 bringing
                 forth
                 Forgiveness
                 by
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Lamb.
                
                 
              
               
                 I
                 insist
                 the
                 more
                 on
                 this
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 lyes
                 so
                 directly
                 against
                 that
                 cursed
                 Principle
                 of
                 Unbelief
                 ,
                 which
                 reigns
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 and
                 often
                 disquiets
                 the
                 best
                 .
                 That
                 a
                 poor
                 ungodly
                 sinner
                 ,
                 going
                 to
                 God
                 with
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 sins
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 receive
                 Forgiveness
                 at
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 doth
                 bring
                 more
                 Glory
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 
                   obedience
                   of
                   an
                   Angel
                
                 ,
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 over-ready
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 be
                 prepared
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 it self
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 
                   formal
                   nature
                
                 of
                 that
                 unbelief
                 which
                 worketh
                 in
                 Convinced
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 lyes
                 in
                 a
                 refusal
                 to
                 give
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 whole
                 glory
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 many
                 
                   hurtfull
                   Controversies
                
                 in
                 Religion
                 that
                 are
                 managed
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 with
                 great
                 noyse
                 and
                 clamour
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 most
                 pernicious
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 silently
                 transacted
                 in
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 although
                 under
                 various
                 forms
                 and
                 pretences
                 .
                 It
                 hath
                 also
                 broken
                 forth
                 in
                 writings
                 and
                 disputations
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Whether
                   God
                   or
                   man
                   shall
                   have
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   Salvation
                
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 it
                 shall
                 wholly
                 be
                 ascribed
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 man
                 also
                 on
                 one
                 account
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 may
                 come
                 in
                 for
                 a
                 share
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 with
                 any
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 will
                 rather
                 perish
                 ,
                 than
                 God
                 should
                 have
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   Go
                   ye
                   cursed
                   souls
                
                 ,
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 compassion
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 Angels
                 or
                 Men.
                 
              
               
               
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 for
                 your
                 parts
                 you
                 are
                 contented
                 with
                 this
                 course
                 ,
                 let
                 
                   God
                   have
                   the
                   glory
                
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 
                   forgiven
                   and
                   saved
                
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 yet
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 suspect
                 ,
                 lest
                 this
                 be
                 
                   a
                   selfish
                   contempt
                
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 
                   great
                   thing
                   to
                   give
                   Glory
                   unto
                   God
                   by
                   believing
                   ,
                
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 .
                 Such
                 slight
                 returns
                 seem
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 least
                 relation
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Take
                 heed
                 that
                 instead
                 of
                 believing
                 ,
                 you
                 be
                 not
                 found
                 mockers
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 your
                 bands
                 be
                 made
                 strong
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 a
                 
                   poor
                   Convinced
                   Sinner
                
                 may
                 here
                 finde
                 encouragement
                 ,
                 Thou
                 wouldst
                 willingly
                 come
                 to
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 attain
                 Salvation
                 ;
                 
                   Oh
                   my
                   soul
                   longeth
                   for
                   it
                
                 ;
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 willingly
                 take
                 that
                 course
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 those
                 ends
                 which
                 will
                 bring
                 most
                 Glory
                 unto
                 God
                 ?
                 
                   Surely
                   it
                   is
                   meet
                   and
                   most
                   equal
                   that
                   I
                   should
                   do
                   so
                
                 ;
                 What
                 now
                 if
                 one
                 should
                 come
                 and
                 tell
                 thee
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 a
                 way
                 ,
                 whereby
                 thou
                 poor
                 ,
                 sinfull
                 ,
                 self
                 condemned
                 creature
                 ,
                 mightst
                 bring
                 as
                 much
                 Glory
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 Angel
                 in
                 Heaven
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 doe
                 ?
                 
                   Oh
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   might
                   bring
                   the
                   least
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   should
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   it
                   .
                
                 Behold
                 then
                 the
                 way
                 which
                 himself
                 hath
                 fixed
                 on
                 for
                 the
                 exaltation
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 :
                 Even
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 
                   meerly
                   upon
                   the
                   account
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 strengthen
                 thee
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 thy self
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Consider
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   if
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   salvation
                   be
                   refused
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   other
                   way
                   for
                   you
                   .
                
                 We
                 do
                 not
                 propose
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 as
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 
                   most
                   pleasant
                
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 
                   no
                   other
                   Name
                
                 given
                 but
                 that
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 no
                 
                   other
                   way
                
                 but
                 this
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 Here
                 lyes
                 your
                 choice
                 ;
                 take
                 this
                 path
                 ,
                 or
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 shame
                 indeed
                 unto
                 our
                 
                   cursed
                   nature
                
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 any
                 need
                 to
                 use
                 this
                 Argument
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 will
                 neither
                 submit
                 to
                 
                   Gods
                   Soveraignty
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   delight
                   in
                   his
                   Glory
                
                 .
                 But
                 seeing
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 used
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 I
                 intend
                 neither
                 to
                 
                   flatter
                   men
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 frighten
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 tell
                 them
                 the
                 truth
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 continue
                 in
                 your
                 
                   present
                   state
                
                 ,
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 rest
                 on
                 
                   what
                   you
                   do
                
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 
                   you
                   hope
                   to
                   do
                
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 support
                 your selves
                 with
                 general
                 hopes
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 mixed
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 endeavours
                 and
                 obedience
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 come
                 not
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 
                   through
                   Gospel-closure
                
                 with
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 
                 make
                 it
                 not
                 your
                 All
                 ,
                 giving
                 Glory
                 to
                 God
                 therein
                 ;
                 perish
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 Eternity
                 .
                 There
                 remains
                 
                   no
                   more
                   sacrifice
                
                 for
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   way
                   of
                   escape
                
                 for
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
                 You
                 have
                 not
                 then
                 only
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 this
                 way
                 to
                 invite
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 absolute
                 indispensable
                 necessity
                 of
                 this
                 way
                 to
                 enforce
                 you
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 let
                 me
                 adde
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 glad
                 this
                 Word
                 is
                 spoken
                 ,
                 is
                 written
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 You
                 and
                 I
                 must
                 one
                 day
                 be
                 accountable
                 for
                 this
                 discourse
                 .
                 That
                 word
                 that
                 hath
                 already
                 been
                 spoken
                 ,
                 if
                 neglected
                 ,
                 will
                 prove
                 a
                 sore
                 Testimony
                 against
                 you
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 fare
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 other
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 not
                 heard
                 the
                 Joyfull
                 sound
                 .
                 All
                 these
                 words
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 found
                 
                   consonant
                   to
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 turned
                 to
                 Grace
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 here
                 ,
                 will
                 turn
                 into
                 Torment
                 unto
                 your
                 Souls
                 hereafter
                 .
                 Choose
                 not
                 
                   any
                   other
                   way
                
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 vain
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 profit
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 you
                 suppose
                 you
                 
                   Embrace
                   this
                   way
                
                 ,
                 when
                 indeed
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 Caution
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   This
                   way
                   is
                   free
                   and
                   open
                   for
                   and
                   unto
                   sinners
                   .
                
                 He
                 that
                 fled
                 to
                 the
                 
                   City
                   of
                   Refuge
                
                 ,
                 might
                 well
                 have
                 many
                 perplexed
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 should
                 finde
                 the
                 Gates
                 of
                 it
                 opened
                 unto
                 him
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 and
                 whether
                 the
                 Avenger
                 of
                 blood
                 might
                 not
                 overtake
                 and
                 slay
                 him
                 ,
                 whilest
                 he
                 was
                 calling
                 for
                 entrance
                 .
                 Or
                 if
                 the
                 Gates
                 were
                 alwayes
                 open
                 ,
                 yet
                 some
                 crimes
                 excluded
                 men
                 thence
                 .
                 Numb
                 .
                 35.
                 24.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 here
                 .
                 Acts
                 13.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   voyce
                   of
                   God
                   even
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ;
                 come
                 saith
                 he
                 to
                 the
                 Marriage
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 prepared
                 ,
                 no
                 fear
                 of
                 want
                 of
                 entertainment
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 22.
                 4.
                 whence
                 the
                 Preachers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 said
                 in
                 
                   his
                   stead
                
                 to
                 beseech
                 men
                 to
                 be
                 reconciled
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 18.
                 And
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 
                   voyce
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   ;
                   whosoever
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   cometh
                   to
                   God
                   by
                   me
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   in
                   no
                   wise
                   cast
                   out
                   ,
                   John
                
                 6.
                 37.
                 
                 Who
                 ere
                 he
                 be
                 
                   that
                   comes
                
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 find
                 entertainment
                 ;
                 the
                 same
                 is
                 his
                 call
                 and
                 invitation
                 in
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 as
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 28.
                 
                 John
                 7.
                 37.
                 and
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   voyce
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 Believers
                 ,
                 Revel
                 .
                 22.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Spirit
                   and
                   the
                   Bride
                   say
                   ,
                   Come
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   that
                   heareth
                   say
                   Come
                   ;
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   athirst
                
                 
                 
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   whosoever
                   will
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   take
                   of
                   the
                   water
                   of
                   life
                   freely
                
                 ;
                 All
                 center
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 sinners
                 may
                 
                   come
                   freely
                
                 to
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 And
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 
                   known
                   voyce
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 it self
                 ,
                 as
                 Isa.
                 55.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 Prov.
                 9.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 they
                 all
                 testifie
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 received
                 it
                 freely
                 .
              
               
                 Some
                 indeed
                 endeavour
                 to
                 abuse
                 this
                 
                   concurrent
                   Testimony
                
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Man.
                 What
                 is
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 
                   freedom
                   of
                   the
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 they
                 would
                 wrest
                 to
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   man
                
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 riches
                 and
                 
                   freedom
                   of
                   Gods
                   mercy
                
                 do
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 enterfere
                 with
                 the
                 
                   efficacy
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 .
                 Though
                 he
                 
                   proclaim
                   pardon
                
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 indefinitely
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 fullness
                 and
                 excellency
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 
                   giveth
                   out
                   his
                   quickening
                   Grace
                
                 to
                 enable
                 men
                 to
                 receive
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 mercy
                 on
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   way
                   is
                   open
                
                 and
                 prepared
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 because
                 men
                 
                   cannot
                   enter
                
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 they
                 
                   will
                   not
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 enter
                 .
                 As
                 our
                 
                   Saviour
                   Christ
                
                 tells
                 the
                 
                   Pharisees
                   ,
                   Ye
                   therefore
                   hear
                   not
                   Gods
                   Word
                   ,
                   because
                   ye
                   are
                   not
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Joh.
                 8.
                 47.
                 and
                 Joh.
                 6.
                 44.
                 
                 So
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 
                   Ye
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   unto
                   me
                   that
                   you
                   may
                   have
                   life
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 40.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 neglect
                 ,
                 and
                 inadvertency
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 excusable
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   positive
                   Act
                
                 of
                 their
                 Will
                 put
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 refusing
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 Grace
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 men
                 under
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 every
                 day
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 will
                 tend
                 more
                 immediately
                 to
                 the
                 advancement
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 inexcusableness
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 obey
                 not
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 than
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Terms
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 in
                 the
                 blessed
                 way
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 were
                 freely
                 tendred
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 Some
                 that
                 hear
                 or
                 read
                 this
                 Word
                 ,
                 may
                 perhaps
                 have
                 lived
                 long
                 under
                 the
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 have
                 never
                 once
                 
                   seriously
                   pondered
                
                 on
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 comeing
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 Forgiveness
                 through
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 but
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 going
                 to
                 Heaven
                 is
                 a
                 
                   thing
                   of
                   course
                
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 need
                 not
                 much
                 trouble
                 themselves
                 about
                 ;
                 do
                 they
                 know
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 ?
                 hitherto
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 they
                 have
                 
                   positively
                   refused
                
                 the
                 salvation
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 freely
                 tendred
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Not
                 they
                 ,
                 they
                 'l
                 say
                 ,
                 they
                 never
                 had
                 
                   such
                   a
                
                 
                 thought
                 ,
                 nor
                 would
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 World.
                 But
                 be
                 it
                 known
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 in
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 
                   effectually
                   received
                
                 him
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 
                   refused
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 whether
                 your
                 day
                 and
                 season
                 be
                 past
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 only
                 knows
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   This
                   Way
                   is
                   safe
                
                 .
                 No
                 soul
                 ever
                 miscarried
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 none
                 in
                 Heaven
                 but
                 will
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   safe
                   way
                
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 none
                 in
                 Hell
                 can
                 say
                 otherwise
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 safe
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 venture
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 
                   old
                   way
                
                 we
                 were
                 to
                 preserve
                 
                   our selves
                   and
                   the
                   way
                
                 .
                 This
                 preserves
                 it self
                 and
                 us
                 ;
                 This
                 will
                 be
                 made
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 ensuing
                 considerations
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Way
                   which
                   in
                   the
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   Care
                   ,
                   and
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   in
                   Christ
                   ,
                   was
                   provided
                   in
                   the
                   room
                   of
                   another
                   ,
                   removed
                   and
                   taken
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   way
                   for
                   this
                   cause
                   and
                   reason
                   ,
                   because
                   it
                   was
                   not
                   safe
                   ,
                
                 nor
                 could
                 bring
                 us
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 
                   For
                   if
                   the
                   First
                   Covenant
                   had
                   been
                   faultless
                   ,
                   then
                   should
                   no
                   place
                   have
                   been
                   sought
                   for
                   the
                   Second
                   ;
                   but
                   finding
                   fault
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                
                 he
                 saith
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   first
                   Covenant
                   was
                   not
                   faultless
                
                 ,
                 for
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 ,
                 there
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 a
                 Second
                 .
                 The
                 Commandement
                 indeed
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 that
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Apostle
                 informs
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 
                   holy
                   ,
                   just
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   good
                   ,
                   Rom.
                
                 7.
                 12.
                 
                 But
                 it
                 was
                 faulty
                 as
                 to
                 all
                 ends
                 of
                 a
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 considering
                 our
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 as
                 sinners
                 ;
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 bring
                 us
                 unto
                 God.
                 So
                 he
                 acquaints
                 us
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   It
                   was
                   made
                   weak
                   through
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 became
                 unusefull
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 souls
                 .
                 Be
                 it
                 so
                 then
                 ;
                 through
                 our
                 sin
                 and
                 default
                 this
                 good
                 and
                 holy
                 Law
                 ,
                 this
                 Covenant
                 was
                 made
                 unprofitable
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 But
                 what
                 was
                 that
                 unto
                 God
                 ?
                 was
                 he
                 bound
                 to
                 desert
                 his
                 
                   own
                   Institution
                
                 and
                 Appointment
                 ,
                 because
                 through
                 our
                 
                   own
                   default
                
                 it
                 ceased
                 to
                 be
                 profitable
                 unto
                 us
                 ?
                 Not
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 He
                 might
                 righteously
                 have
                 tyed
                 us
                 all
                 unto
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 that
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 to
                 stand
                 or
                 fall
                 by
                 them
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 But
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 In
                 his
                 Love
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   finds
                   fault
                   with
                   it
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 8.
                 not
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 ,
                 and
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 
                   so
                   farre
                
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 provide
                 
                   another
                   way
                
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 supply
                 all
                 its
                 defects
                 and
                 wants
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 aimed
                 at
                 .
                 What
                 way
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostle
                 declares
                 in
                 the
                 following
                 Verses
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 that
                 Chapter
                 .
                 The
                 summe
                 is
                 ,
                 v.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   mercifull
                
                 
                 
                   to
                   their
                   unrighteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   sins
                   and
                   their
                   Iniquities
                   will
                   I
                   remember
                   no
                   more
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 substituted
                 in
                 the
                 room
                 of
                 that
                 
                   insufficient
                   way
                
                 that
                 was
                 removed
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 consider
                 then
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 infinitely
                 Wise
                 and
                 Holy
                 God
                 ,
                 pursuing
                 his
                 purpose
                 of
                 
                   bringing
                   souls
                   unto
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 laying
                 aside
                 one
                 way
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 appointment
                 as
                 useless
                 ,
                 and
                 infirm
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 coming
                 in
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 against
                 which
                 there
                 was
                 
                   no
                   relief
                
                 found
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 substituting
                 another
                 way
                 in
                 the
                 room
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 would
                 not
                 provide
                 such
                 an
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 should
                 be
                 
                   absolutely
                   free
                
                 from
                 the
                 faults
                 and
                 inconveniencies
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 charged
                 upon
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 did
                 remove
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 alone
                 rendred
                 the
                 former
                 way
                 faulty
                 was
                 sin
                 ;
                 it
                 could
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 but
                 
                   save
                   a
                   sinner
                
                 ;
                 this
                 then
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 principally
                 provided
                 against
                 in
                 
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 see
                 here
                 ,
                 how
                 clearly
                 God
                 hath
                 severed
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 opposed
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 ,
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 Namely
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   way
                   of
                   personal
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 He
                 finds
                 fault
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 ;
                 what
                 then
                 doth
                 he
                 do
                 ?
                 what
                 course
                 doth
                 he
                 take
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 mend
                 it
                 ,
                 take
                 from
                 it
                 what
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 redundant
                 ,
                 mitigate
                 its
                 severity
                 ,
                 and
                 supply
                 it
                 where
                 it
                 was
                 wanting
                 ,
                 by
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 set
                 it
                 up
                 anew
                 ?
                 This
                 indeed
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 that
                 many
                 proceed
                 in
                 in
                 their
                 notions
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 in
                 their
                 practice
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 God.
                 He
                 takes
                 the
                 
                   one
                   utterly
                   away
                
                 ,
                 and
                 establishes
                 the
                 other
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 .
                 And
                 mens
                 endeavours
                 to
                 
                   mix
                   them
                
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 of
                 
                   little
                   use
                
                 to
                 them
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 great
                 expectation
                 from
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 pronounced
                 faulty
                 .
              
               
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 The
                 unchangeable
                 Principles
                 and
                 Foundations
                 that
                 this
                 Way
                 is
                 built
                 upon
                 ,
                 render
                 it
                 secure
                 and
                 safe
                 for
                 sinners
                 ,
                 for
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 founded
                 on
                 the
                 Purpose
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Scripture
                   foreseeing
                   that
                   God
                   would
                   justifie
                   the
                   Heathen
                   through
                   Faith.
                
                 God
                 
                   would
                   do
                   so
                
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 purposed
                 and
                 determined
                 to
                 proceed
                 this
                 way
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 purposes
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 attended
                 with
                 immutability
                 ;
                 and
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 Promise
                 also
                 is
                 engaged
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 given
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 a
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 already
                 declared
                 ;
                 and
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 This
                 Promise
                 is
                 confirmed
                 by
                 an
                 Oath
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 in
                 any
                 thing
                 
                   interpose
                   with
                   an
                   Oath
                
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 relates
                 to
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 coming
                 to
                 himself
                 by
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Oath
                 of
                 God
                 wherever
                 it
                 is
                 used
                 ,
                 respecteth
                 either
                 
                   Christ
                   Typically
                
                 ,
                 or
                 personally
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Covenant
                 established
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 This
                 Way
                 is
                 confirmed
                 and
                 ratified
                 in
                 
                   his
                   Blood
                
                 ;
                 from
                 whence
                 the
                 Apostle
                 at
                 large
                 evinceth
                 its
                 absolute
                 security
                 and
                 
                   safety
                   ,
                   Heb.
                
                 9.
                 
                 Whatever
                 soul
                 then
                 on
                 the
                 invitation
                 under
                 consideration
                 ,
                 shall
                 give
                 up
                 himself
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 proposed
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 find
                 
                   absolute
                   peace
                   ,
                   and
                   security
                
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 Neither
                 our
                 own
                 weakness
                 ,
                 or
                 folly
                 from
                 within
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 opposition
                 of
                 any
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Enemies
                 from
                 without
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 turn
                 us
                 out
                 of
                 
                   this
                   Way
                
                 .
                 See
                 Isa.
                 35.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 other
                 way
                 ,
                 
                   every
                   individual
                   person
                   stands
                   upon
                   his
                   own
                   bottom
                   ,
                
                 and
                 must
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 utmost
                 of
                 his
                 continuance
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 You
                 are
                 desirous
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 obtain
                 his
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 to
                 an
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 What
                 will
                 you
                 doe
                 ?
                 What
                 course
                 will
                 you
                 fix
                 upon
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 of
                 these
                 Ends
                 ?
                 if
                 you
                 were
                 so
                 holy
                 ,
                 so
                 perfect
                 ,
                 so
                 righteous
                 ,
                 so
                 free
                 from
                 sin
                 as
                 you
                 could
                 desire
                 ,
                 you
                 should
                 have
                 some
                 boldness
                 in
                 going
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 why
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 the
                 way
                 you
                 fix
                 upon
                 ,
                 take
                 this
                 along
                 with
                 you
                 :
                 You
                 stand
                 upon
                 your
                 
                   own
                   personal
                   Account
                
                 all
                 your
                 dayes
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 you
                 fail
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 you
                 are
                 gone
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 For
                 
                   whosoever
                   shall
                   keep
                   the
                   whole
                   Law
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   offend
                   in
                   one
                   point
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   guilty
                   of
                   all
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 peace
                 can
                 you
                 possibly
                 obtain
                 ,
                 were
                 you
                 
                   as
                   holy
                
                 as
                 ever
                 you
                 aimed
                 or
                 desired
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 whilest
                 this
                 is
                 your
                 Condition
                 ?
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 ,
                 we
                 all
                 stand
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Account
                   of
                   one
                   common
                   Mediator
                
                 in
                 whom
                 
                   we
                   are
                   compleat
                
                 .
                 Col.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 a
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 due
                 improvement
                 of
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 principle
                 of
                 disconsolation
                 to
                 many
                 Souls
                 .
                 Suppose
                 a
                 man
                 look
                 upon
                 himself
                 as
                 loosed
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   Works
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 exact
                 and
                 perfect
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 rigidly
                 required
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 unto
                 Gospel
                 Evangelical
                 Obedience
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 in
                 the
                 room
                 thereof
                 ,
                 in
                 sincerity
                 and
                 integrity
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 not
                 cleared
                 in
                 this
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 stands
                 not
                 in
                 this
                 
                 way
                 
                   purely
                   on
                   his
                   own
                   account
                
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 never
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 Comforts
                 hold
                 out
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 Journey
                 .
                 There
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 
                   best
                   of
                   men
                
                 so
                 many
                 particular
                 failings
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 seem
                 in
                 difficult
                 seasons
                 to
                 impeach
                 their
                 integrity
                 ;
                 And
                 so
                 many
                 questionings
                 will
                 after
                 arise
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 
                   darkness
                   of
                   their
                   minds
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Power
                 of
                 their
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 give
                 but
                 little
                 rest
                 unto
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
                 Here
                 lyes
                 the
                 great
                 security
                 of
                 
                   this
                   way
                
                 ;
                 We
                 abide
                 in
                 it
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   faithfulness
                   and
                   Ability
                
                 of
                 our
                 Common
                 Mediator
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 another
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 strengthening
                 our
                 invitation
                 to
                 a
                 closure
                 with
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 coming
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 under
                 proposal
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 wanting
                 that
                 is
                 needfull
                 to
                 give
                 
                   infallible
                   Security
                
                 to
                 any
                 Soul
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 venture
                 himself
                 into
                 it
                 and
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 
                   Terms
                   of
                   peace
                
                 proposed
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 .
                 These
                 terms
                 are
                 excellent
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 chosen
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   tending
                   to
                   the
                   interest
                   of
                   his
                   Glory
                
                 ;
                 
                   free
                   ,
                   safe
                
                 ,
                 and
                 secure
                 unto
                 sinners
                 .
                 What
                 hath
                 any
                 soul
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 object
                 against
                 them
                 ?
                 or
                 wherein
                 do
                 men
                 repose
                 their
                 Trust
                 and
                 Confidence
                 in
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 this
                 so
                 great
                 Salvation
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 yield
                 them
                 as
                 much
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 contentment
                 as
                 they
                 shall
                 need
                 to
                 desire
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 ruine
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 forth
                 nothing
                 but
                 death
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 it
                 will
                 deceive
                 them
                 ;
                 
                   the
                   figure
                   of
                   it
                   passeth
                   away
                   .
                
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 Duties
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteousness
                 ?
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 relieve
                 them
                 ;
                 for
                 did
                 they
                 
                   follow
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   obtain
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 shadow
                 ,
                 
                   a
                   vapour
                   that
                   appeareth
                   for
                   a
                   little
                   while
                   .
                
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 future
                 Amendment
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ?
                 Hell
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 souls
                 perishing
                 under
                 such
                 Resolutions
                 .
                 Only
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   pardon
                   remains
                
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 is
                 most
                 despised
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 I
                 have
                 one
                 consideration
                 more
                 to
                 adde
                 before
                 I
                 further
                 enforce
                 the
                 Exhortation
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Consider
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                   only
                   Way
                   and
                   means
                   to
                   enable
                   you
                   unto
                   obedience
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   render
                   what
                   you
                   do
                   therein
                   acceptable
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 that
                 some
                 of
                 you
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   Convictions
                
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 made
                 Engagements
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   live
                   unto
                   him
                
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 your selves
                 from
                 fin
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 follow
                 after
                 holiness
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 so
                 in
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 
                 dangers
                 ,
                 sicknesses
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 the
                 receipt
                 of
                 mercies
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 you
                 find
                 that
                 you
                 cannot
                 come
                 unto
                 stability
                 or
                 constancy
                 in
                 your
                 course
                 ;
                 you
                 
                   break
                   with
                   God
                
                 and
                 your
                 own
                 Souls
                 ,
                 which
                 fills
                 you
                 with
                 new
                 disquietments
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 hardens
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 you
                 secure
                 and
                 negligent
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 you
                 return
                 unto
                 your
                 purposes
                 no
                 oftner
                 ,
                 than
                 your
                 Convictions
                 or
                 Afflictions
                 befall
                 you
                 anew
                 .
                 This
                 condition
                 is
                 ruinous
                 and
                 pernitious
                 ,
                 which
                 nothing
                 can
                 deliver
                 you
                 from
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   this
                   closing
                   with
                   forgiveness
                
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 All
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 without
                 this
                 ,
                 however
                 it
                 may
                 please
                 your
                 minds
                 or
                 ease
                 your
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 accepted
                 with
                 God.
                 Unless
                 this
                 foundation
                 be
                 laid
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 is
                 lost
                 .
                 All
                 your
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 all
                 your
                 Duties
                 ,
                 all
                 your
                 amendments
                 are
                 an
                 abomination
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Untill
                 peace
                 is
                 made
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 despiseth
                 and
                 abhorreth
                 .
                 You
                 run
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 
                   run
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   way
                
                 ;
                 you
                 strive
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 lawfully
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 never
                 receive
                 the
                 Crown
                 .
                 True
                 Gospel-obedience
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 Whatever
                 you
                 do
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 building
                 without
                 a
                 foundation
                 ,
                 a
                 Castle
                 in
                 the
                 ayre
                 .
                 You
                 may
                 see
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 The
                 foundation
                 must
                 be
                 laid
                 in
                 Grace
                 ;
                 
                   Riches
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 free
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 From
                 hence
                 must
                 the
                 
                   works
                   of
                   obedience
                
                 proceed
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 would
                 have
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 Gods
                 appointment
                 ,
                 or
                 finde
                 acceptance
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Without
                 this
                 God
                 will
                 say
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 Services
                 ,
                 Worship
                 ,
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 Amos
                 5.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 
                   I
                   despise
                   all
                   ,
                   reject
                   it
                   all
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 his
                 Glory
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 you
                 are
                 under
                 convictions
                 of
                 any
                 sort
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 you
                 more
                 value
                 ,
                 nothing
                 you
                 more
                 place
                 your
                 confidence
                 in
                 ,
                 than
                 your
                 Duties
                 ;
                 your
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 your
                 Amendment
                 ,
                 what
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 in
                 good
                 time
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 nothing
                 unto
                 you
                 to
                 lose
                 all
                 your
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 your
                 Expectations
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 from
                 hence
                 ?
                 To
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 
                   Reception
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 than
                 if
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 you
                 had
                 been
                 wallowing
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 and
                 lusts
                 ?
                 Yet
                 thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 begun
                 with
                 God
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 Terms
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 
                   received
                   the
                   Atonement
                   in
                   the
                   Blood
                   of
                   his
                   Son
                
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 made
                 partakers
                 
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 if
                 your
                 persons
                 are
                 not
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 all
                 your
                 Duties
                 are
                 accursed
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 This
                 alone
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 such
                 
                   Motives
                   and
                   Encouragements
                   unto
                   Obedience
                
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 Life
                 ,
                 Alacrity
                 ,
                 and
                 Delight
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 You
                 perform
                 Duties
                 ,
                 abstain
                 from
                 sins
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 heaviness
                 ,
                 fear
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 bondage
                 .
                 Could
                 you
                 do
                 as
                 well
                 
                   without
                   them
                
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 would
                 Conscience
                 be
                 quiet
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 of
                 Eternity
                 hold
                 out
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 omit
                 them
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 all
                 your
                 Obedience
                 burdensome
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 cry
                 out
                 in
                 your
                 thoughts
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   behold
                   what
                   a
                   weariness
                   it
                   is
                   !
                
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 drudgery
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 dare
                 not
                 omit
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 not
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 From
                 this
                 wretched
                 and
                 cursed
                 frame
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 can
                 deliver
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 closing
                 with
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 such
                 motives
                 ,
                 such
                 encouragements
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 greatly
                 influence
                 your
                 hearts
                 and
                 souls
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 freedom
                 ,
                 liberty
                 ,
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 chearfulness
                 in
                 all
                 duties
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Obedience
                 .
                 You
                 will
                 finde
                 a
                 
                   constraining
                   power
                
                 in
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 Christ
                 therein
                 ;
                 a
                 freedom
                 from
                 bondage
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Son
                 truely
                 hath
                 made
                 you
                 free
                 .
                 Faith
                 and
                 love
                 will
                 work
                 genuinely
                 and
                 naturally
                 in
                 your
                 spirits
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 
                   your
                   greatest
                   burden
                
                 ,
                 will
                 become
                 your
                 
                   chiefest
                   joy
                
                 :
                 2
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 1.
                 
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 sence
                 of
                 pardon
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 enlarge
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 sweeten
                 all
                 your
                 duties
                 .
                 You
                 will
                 find
                 a
                 
                   new
                   life
                
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 doe
                 .
                 Have
                 you
                 yet
                 ever
                 understood
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Wiseman
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   The
                   wayes
                   of
                   Wisdom
                   are
                   pleasantness
                   ,
                   and
                   her
                   paths
                   are
                   peace
                   ?
                
                 Have
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 Holyness
                 ,
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 of
                 Duties
                 been
                 so
                 unto
                 you
                 ?
                 Whatever
                 you
                 pretend
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 whilst
                 you
                 are
                 strangers
                 unto
                 that
                 which
                 alone
                 can
                 render
                 them
                 so
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 speak
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 Would
                 you
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 that
                 bondage
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   galling
                   yoke
                
                 in
                 dutyes
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ?
                 Would
                 you
                 have
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 a
                 delight
                 and
                 pleasantness
                 unto
                 you
                 ?
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 alone
                 will
                 effect
                 it
                 for
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   This
                   will
                   place
                   all
                   your
                   Obedience
                   upon
                   a
                   sure
                   foot
                   of
                   account
                   in
                   your
                   own
                   Souls
                   and
                   Consciences
                
                 ;
                 even
                 the
                 same
                 that
                 
                 is
                 fixed
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 Gospell
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 present
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 indeed
                 but
                 to
                 
                   compound
                   with
                   God
                
                 for
                 your
                 sin
                 ;
                 you
                 hope
                 by
                 what
                 you
                 do
                 
                   for
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 to
                 buy
                 off
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 
                   against
                   him
                
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 not
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 his
                 Wrath
                 and
                 Vengeance
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 all
                 you
                 doe
                 to
                 be
                 irksom
                 .
                 As
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 labours
                 all
                 his
                 dayes
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   pay
                   an
                   old
                   debt
                
                 ,
                 and
                 brings
                 in
                 nothing
                 to
                 lay
                 up
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 how
                 tedious
                 and
                 wearisome
                 is
                 his
                 work
                 and
                 labour
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 odds
                 but
                 that
                 at
                 one
                 time
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 
                   give
                   over
                
                 ,
                 and
                 run
                 away
                 from
                 his
                 Creditor
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 
                   secret
                   reserves
                
                 of
                 
                   recompensing
                   God
                
                 by
                 their
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 every
                 day
                 find
                 their
                 debt
                 growing
                 upon
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 have
                 every
                 day
                 less
                 hopes
                 of
                 making
                 a
                 satisfactory
                 payment
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 them
                 weary
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 they
                 faint
                 under
                 their
                 discouragements
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 length
                 they
                 fly
                 wholly
                 from
                 God.
                 This
                 way
                 alone
                 will
                 state
                 things
                 otherwise
                 in
                 your
                 Consciences
                 ;
                 It
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 to
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 your
                 debts
                 are
                 paid
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 freely
                 forgiven
                 unto
                 you
                 by
                 God.
                 So
                 that
                 what
                 you
                 doe
                 is
                 of
                 Gratitude
                 or
                 thankfulness
                 ,
                 hath
                 an
                 influence
                 into
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 leads
                 to
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 own
                 comfortable
                 account
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 .
                 This
                 encourageth
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 labour
                 ,
                 to
                 Trade
                 ,
                 to
                 endeavour
                 ;
                 all
                 things
                 now
                 looking
                 forward
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 his
                 advantage
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Find
                 you
                 not
                 in
                 your selves
                 an
                 
                   impotency
                   ,
                   a
                   disability
                
                 unto
                 the
                 dutyes
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 performance
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 an
                 acceptable
                 manner
                 ?
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 sensible
                 hereof
                 as
                 you
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 .
                 For
                 respecting
                 only
                 or
                 principally
                 the
                 outward
                 part
                 and
                 performance
                 of
                 dutyes
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 Experience
                 of
                 your
                 own
                 Weakness
                 .
                 How
                 to
                 enliven
                 and
                 fill
                 up
                 Duties
                 with
                 
                   Faith
                   ,
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Delight
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 therefore
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 insufficiency
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 you
                 have
                 any
                 Light
                 ,
                 any
                 Convictions
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 to
                 such
                 I
                 speak
                 at
                 present
                 )
                 you
                 cannot
                 but
                 perceive
                 and
                 understand
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 
                   able
                   in
                   your
                   Obedience
                
                 to
                 answer
                 what
                 you
                 aim
                 at
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 strength
                 or
                 power
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 this
                 
                   faith
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                   alone
                
                 that
                 will
                 furnish
                 you
                 with
                 the
                 Ability
                 ,
                 whereof
                 you
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 .
                 
                   Pardon
                   comes
                   not
                   to
                   the
                   Soul
                   alone
                
                 ;
                 or
                 rather
                 Christ
                 comes
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 
                 Soul
                 with
                 pardon
                 only
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 opens
                 the
                 door
                 ,
                 and
                 enters
                 by
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 comes
                 with
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 Power
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 
                   without
                   him
                   we
                   can
                   do
                   nothing
                   ,
                
                 so
                 through
                 his
                 
                   enabling
                   us
                   we
                   may
                   do
                   all
                   things
                   .
                
                 Receiving
                 of
                 Gospel
                 Forgiveness
                 engageth
                 all
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 unto
                 our
                 assistance
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 summe
                 of
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 ,
                 the
                 :
                 obedience
                 that
                 you
                 perform
                 under
                 your
                 convictions
                 is
                 burdensome
                 and
                 unpleasant
                 unto
                 you
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 altogether
                 unacceptable
                 to
                 God.
                 You
                 lose
                 all
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 hope
                 to
                 do
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 foundation
                 be
                 not
                 layd
                 in
                 the
                 receiving
                 of
                 pardon
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 It
                 is
                 high
                 time
                 to
                 
                   cast
                   down
                
                 all
                 that
                 vain
                 and
                 
                   Imaginary
                   fabrick
                
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 erecting
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 laying
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 may
                 safely
                 and
                 chearfully
                 build
                 upon
                 ;
                 a
                 building
                 that
                 will
                 abide
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 
                 Again
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 
                   such
                   a
                   way
                
                 ,
                 so
                 excellent
                 ,
                 so
                 pretious
                 ,
                 so
                 neer
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   relating
                   to
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 that
                 the
                 
                   neglect
                   of
                   it
                
                 will
                 assuredly
                 be
                 sorely
                 revenged
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Let
                 not
                 men
                 think
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 despise
                 the
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Love
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Promises
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 ,
                 at
                 an
                 easie
                 rate
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 in
                 a
                 very
                 few
                 words
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 of
                 what
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 speaks
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 
                   Three
                   wayes
                
                 whereby
                 the
                 Vengeance
                 due
                 to
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 closing
                 with
                 forgiveness
                 or
                 Gospel
                 Grace
                 is
                 expressed
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 done
                 
                   Positively
                   ,
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   not
                   shall
                   be
                   DAMNED
                   ,
                
                 Mark.
                 16.
                 16.
                 
                 That
                 's
                 a
                 
                   hard
                   word
                
                 ;
                 many
                 men
                 cannot
                 endure
                 to
                 hear
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 They
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 it
                 named
                 by
                 their
                 good
                 wills
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 fly
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 him
                 from
                 whose
                 mouth
                 it
                 proceeds
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 not
                 men
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                   softest
                   word
                
                 ,
                 that
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 Love
                 it self
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Gospel
                 speaks
                 to
                 despisers
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 Christ
                 who
                 is
                 this
                 
                   legal
                   terrifying
                   Preacher
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 cryes
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   you
                   believe
                   not
                   ,
                   you
                   shall
                   be
                   Damned
                
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 come
                 himself
                 
                   in
                   flaming
                   fire
                   to
                   take
                   vengeance
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   obey
                   not
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 8.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 disobedient
                 ;
                 if
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 Christ
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Gospel
                 may
                 be
                 believed
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Comparatively
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 Vengeance
                 due
                 to
                 the
                 
                   breach
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   We
                   are
                   in
                
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 
                   perish
                   ,
                   a
                   savour
                   of
                   death
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                
                 a
                 deep
                 death
                 ,
                 a
                 sore
                 Condemnation
                 ,
                 so
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 29.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   how
                   much
                   sorer
                   punishment
                   suppose
                   ye
                   he
                   shall
                   be
                   thought
                   worthy
                
                 :
                 Sorer
                 than
                 ever
                 was
                 threatned
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 inflicted
                 for
                 the
                 breach
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 not
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Kind
                 of
                 punishment
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 degrees
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 Hence
                 ariseth
                 the
                 addition
                 of
                 
                   many
                   stripes
                
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Admiration
                 at
                 the
                 unexpressibleness
                 ,
                 and
                 unavoidableness
                 of
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 such
                 sinners
                 .
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   How
                   shall
                   we
                   escape
                   if
                   we
                   neglect
                   so
                   great
                   salvation
                   ?
                
                 Surely
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 for
                 men
                 to
                 escape
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 unavoidably
                 perish
                 who
                 neglect
                 
                   so
                   great
                   salvation
                
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 sayes
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   be
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   obey
                   not
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ?
                
                 What
                 understanding
                 can
                 reach
                 to
                 an
                 apprehension
                 of
                 their
                 miserable
                 and
                 wofull
                 condition
                 ?
                 
                   None
                   can
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 nor
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 spoken
                 to
                 their
                 capacity
                 ;
                 ah
                 what
                 shall
                 their
                 end
                 be
                 ?
                 There
                 remains
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 
                   certain
                   fearfull
                   looking
                   for
                   of
                   Judgement
                   ,
                   and
                   fiery
                   indignation
                   that
                   shall
                   consume
                   the
                   Adversaries
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 27.
                 
                 A
                 certain
                 fearfull
                 expectation
                 of
                 
                   astonishable
                   things
                
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 comprehended
                 .
              
               
                 
                 And
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 Enforcements
                 of
                 the
                 Exhortation
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 insist
                 upon
                 .
                 On
                 these
                 foundations
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 Principles
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 now
                 a
                 little
                 conferre
                 together
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Truth
                 and
                 Sobriety
                 .
                 I
                 speak
                 to
                 such
                 poor
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 
                   deceived
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 or
                 neglected
                 utterly
                 their
                 Eternal
                 Condition
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 as
                 yet
                 really
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Truth
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 Your
                 
                   present
                   state
                
                 is
                 sad
                 ,
                 and
                 deplorable
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 wofull
                 uncertainty
                 of
                 a
                 
                   dying
                   life
                
                 between
                 you
                 and
                 Eternal
                 ruine
                 .
                 That
                 perswasion
                 you
                 have
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 is
                 Good
                 for
                 nothing
                 but
                 to
                 harden
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 destroy
                 you
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 Forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God.
                 Nor
                 have
                 you
                 taken
                 it
                 up
                 on
                 Gospel
                 grounds
                 or
                 Evidences
                 .
                 You
                 have
                 
                   stollen
                   painted
                   beads
                
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 your selves
                 to
                 be
                 lawfull
                 possessors
                 of
                 Pearls
                 and
                 Jewels
                 .
                 As
                 you
                 are
                 then
                 any
                 way
                 concerned
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 
                   Eternal
                   Condition
                
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 entring
                 into
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 how
                 soon
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 ingaged
                 in
                 it
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 )
                 prevail
                 with
                 your selves
                 to
                 attend
                 a
                 little
                 unto
                 the
                 Exhortation
                 that
                 lyes
                 before
                 you
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 your
                 
                   own
                   business
                
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 entreated
                 to
                 have
                 regard
                 unto
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Consider
                 seriously
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 
                   you
                   bottom
                   your
                   hopes
                   and
                   expectation
                   upon
                   as
                   to
                   Eternity
                   .
                
                 Great
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 other
                 things
                 wise
                 ,
                 are
                 here
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 deceive
                 themselves
                 .
                 They
                 suppose
                 they
                 think
                 and
                 believe
                 much
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 than
                 indeed
                 they
                 think
                 and
                 believe
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 cry
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 will
                 manifest
                 .
                 Put
                 your
                 souls
                 a
                 little
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Do
                 you
                 at
                 all
                 
                   seriously
                   think
                
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 Or
                 are
                 you
                 so
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 your
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 neglect
                 and
                 despise
                 them
                 ?
                 Or
                 do
                 you
                 rise
                 up
                 and
                 lye
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   perform
                   some
                   duties
                
                 ,
                 or
                 neglect
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 great
                 Coldness
                 ,
                 Remisness
                 ,
                 and
                 Indifferency
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 like
                 Gallio
                 not
                 much
                 caring
                 for
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 Or
                 do
                 you
                 relieve
                 your selves
                 with
                 
                   hopes
                   of
                   future
                   amendment
                
                 ,
                 purposing
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 you
                 live
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 other
                 persons
                 than
                 you
                 are
                 ,
                 when
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 things
                 are
                 brought
                 about
                 and
                 accomplished
                 ?
                 Or
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 
                   hope
                   well
                   in
                   Generall
                
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 doe
                 ?
                 If
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 express
                 
                   your
                   condition
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 unspeakably
                 miserable
                 .
                 You
                 lye
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 rise
                 up
                 under
                 the
                 
                   wrath
                   of
                   the
                   Great
                   God
                
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 prevail
                 at
                 last
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 none
                 to
                 deliver
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 Nay
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 not
                 our
                 state
                 ;
                 we
                 rely
                 on
                 
                   Mercy
                   and
                   Forgiveness
                
                 ;
                 then
                 let
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 Great
                 God
                 entreat
                 a
                 few
                 things
                 ,
                 yet
                 further
                 of
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 seriously
                 consider
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 you
                 rest
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 in
                 ,
                 be
                 that
                 
                   Gospel
                   Forgiveness
                
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 before
                 described
                 ?
                 or
                 is
                 it
                 only
                 a
                 General
                 Apprehension
                 of
                 Impunity
                 ,
                 though
                 you
                 are
                 Sinners
                 ?
                 That
                 God
                 is
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 hope
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 shall
                 escape
                 the
                 Vengeance
                 of
                 Hell-fire
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   forgiveness
                   it self
                
                 will
                 not
                 relieve
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 presumptuous
                 man
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 29.
                 19.
                 
                 Gospel-pardon
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 of
                 another
                 nature
                 ;
                 It
                 hath
                 its
                 spring
                 in
                 the
                 Gracious
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   made
                   out
                
                 by
                 a
                 Soveraign
                 Act
                 of
                 his
                 Will
                 ;
                 rendred
                 consistent
                 with
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 and
                 Holyness
                 by
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 purchased
                 in
                 a
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 ;
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   is
                   the
                   forgiveness
                
                 we
                 rely
                 upon
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 described
                 .
                 Then
                 I
                 desire
                 further
                 that
                 you
                 would
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Examine
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 ,
                 
                   how
                   you
                   came
                   to
                   have
                   an
                   interest
                   in
                   this
                   Forgiveness
                   ,
                
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 right
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 deceive
                 himself
                 as
                 effectually
                 by
                 supposing
                 that
                 
                   True
                   Riches
                
                 are
                 his
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 supposing
                 his
                 
                   false
                   and
                   counterfeit
                   ware
                
                 to
                 be
                 good
                 and
                 currant
                 ;
                 how
                 then
                 come
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 interested
                 in
                 this
                 .
                 Gospel-forgiveness
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 hath
                 
                   befallen
                   you
                
                 you
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 ,
                 if
                 a
                 lifeless
                 ,
                 barren
                 ,
                 
                   inoperative
                   perswasion
                
                 of
                 it
                 hath
                 crept
                 upon
                 your
                 minds
                 ;
                 be
                 not
                 mistaken
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 come
                 and
                 
                   require
                   his
                   forgiveness
                
                 at
                 your
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 had
                 no
                 part
                 ,
                 nor
                 portion
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 Nay
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 were
                 
                   convinced
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 rendred
                 exceeding
                 unquiet
                 in
                 our
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 that
                 account
                 looked
                 out
                 after
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 Rest.
                 Then
                 I
                 desire
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 diligently
                 consider
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   what
                   ends
                   and
                   purposes
                   you
                   have
                   received
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   make
                   use
                   of
                   this
                   Gospel-forgiveness
                   .
                
                 Hath
                 it
                 been
                 to
                 
                   make
                   up
                   what
                   was
                   wanting
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 piece
                 up
                 a
                 peace
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 Consciences
                 ?
                 that
                 whereas
                 you
                 could
                 not
                 
                   answer
                   your
                   Convictions
                
                 with
                 your
                 dutyes
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 seek
                 for
                 relief
                 from
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   innumerable
                   other
                   wayes
                
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 whereby
                 men
                 may
                 
                   lose
                   their
                   souls
                
                 when
                 they
                 think
                 all
                 is
                 well
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 even
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Pardon
                 and
                 Mercy
                 .
                 Whence
                 is
                 that
                 caution
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Looking
                   diligently
                   lest
                   any
                   one
                   should
                   seem
                   to
                   fail
                   ,
                   or
                   come
                   short
                   of
                   the
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 15.
                 men
                 miss
                 it
                 and
                 
                   come
                   short
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 pretend
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 yea
                 to
                 have
                 overtaken
                 and
                 possessed
                 it
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 should
                 prove
                 to
                 be
                 your
                 Condition
                 ,
                 I
                 desire
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 consider
                 seriously
                 ,
                 
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   not
                   high
                   time
                   for
                   you
                   to
                   look
                   out
                   for
                   a
                   way
                   of
                   deliverance
                   ,
                   and
                   escape
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   may
                   save
                   your selves
                   from
                   this
                   evil
                   World
                   ,
                   and
                   fly
                   from
                   the
                   wrath
                   to
                   come
                   .
                
                 The
                 Judge
                 stands
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 .
                 Before
                 he
                 deal
                 with
                 you
                 
                   as
                   a
                   Judge
                
                 ,
                 he
                 knocks
                 with
                 a
                 tender
                 of
                 mercy
                 .
                 Who
                 knows
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 last
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 dealing
                 thus
                 with
                 you
                 .
                 Be
                 you
                 old
                 or
                 young
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 but
                 your
                 season
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 your
                 day
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 perhaps
                 be
                 night
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 
                   is
                   day
                
                 with
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Your
                 Sun
                 may
                 go
                 down
                 at
                 Noon
                 ;
                 And
                 God
                 may
                 swear
                 that
                 
                   you
                   shall
                   not
                   enter
                   into
                   his
                   Rest.
                
                 If
                 you
                 are
                 then
                 resolved
                 to
                 continue
                 in
                 your
                 present
                 condition
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 
                   I
                   am
                   pure
                   from
                   your
                   blood
                   ,
                
                 in
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 declared
                 unto
                 you
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 I
                 must
                 leave
                 you
                 to
                 a
                 naked
                 Tryal
                 between
                 the
                 
                   Great
                   God
                
                 and
                 
                   your
                   Souls
                
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ;
                 poor
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 I
                 even
                 tremble
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 
                   will
                   tear
                   you
                   in
                   pieces
                
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 none
                 to
                 deliver
                 .
                 Me
                 thinks
                 I
                 see
                 your
                 poor
                 
                   destitute
                   forlorn
                   souls
                
                 ,
                 forsaken
                 of
                 lusts
                 ,
                 sins
                 ,
                 world
                 ,
                 friends
                 ,
                 Angels
                 ,
                 Men
                 ,
                 Trembling
                 before
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 horror
                 ,
                 and
                 fearfull
                 expectation
                 of
                 the
                 dreadfull
                 sentence
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 
                   I
                   could
                   mourn
                   over
                   you
                
                 ,
                 whilest
                 you
                 are
                 
                   joyned
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   living
                
                 ;
                 whilest
                 there
                 is
                 yet
                 hope
                 ,
                 oh
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 your
                 day
                 ,
                 you
                 knew
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 your
                 peace
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 of
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 Nay
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 will
                 
                   seek
                   the
                   Lord
                   whilest
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   found
                   ,
                
                 we
                 will
                 draw
                 nigh
                 unto
                 him
                 before
                 he
                 cause
                 darkness
                 ;
                 then
                 consider
                 ,
                 I
                 pray
                 ,
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 What
                 Joshua
                 told
                 the
                 
                   children
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 put
                 themselves
                 upon
                 such
                 a
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 and
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 24.
                 v.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   cannot
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   is
                   an
                   holy
                   God
                   ,
                   a
                   jealous
                   God
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   not
                   forgive
                   your
                   transgressions
                   ,
                   nor
                   your
                   sins
                   .
                
                 Go
                 to
                 him
                 upon
                 your
                 
                   own
                   Account
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 best
                 endeavours
                 and
                 dutyes
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 finde
                 him
                 
                   too
                   great
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   too
                   holy
                
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 deal
                 withall
                 .
                 You
                 will
                 obtain
                 neither
                 Acceptance
                 of
                 your
                 persons
                 ,
                 nor
                 Pardon
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 .
                 But
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 
                   heavy
                   tidings
                
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 sit
                 still
                 you
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 you
                 rise
                 to
                 be
                 doing
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 better
                 ;
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 hope
                 left
                 for
                 our
                 Souls
                 ?
                 must
                 we
                 pine
                 away
                 under
                 our
                 sins
                 and
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 yet
                 other
                 directions
                 remaining
                 to
                 guide
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 these
                 entanglements
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 ,
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Ponder
                 seriously
                 on
                 what
                 
                   hath
                   been
                   spoken
                   of
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   approaching
                   unto
                   God.
                
                 Consider
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 for
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 proposed
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 Consider
                 ,
                 whether
                 you
                 Approve
                 of
                 it
                 or
                 no
                 ;
                 do
                 you
                 judge
                 it
                 a
                 way
                 suited
                 
                 and
                 fitted
                 
                   to
                   bring
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ?
                 doth
                 it
                 answer
                 all
                 the
                 wants
                 and
                 distresses
                 of
                 your
                 souls
                 ?
                 Do
                 you
                 think
                 it
                 excellent
                 ,
                 safe
                 ,
                 and
                 Glorious
                 unto
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 entred
                 unto
                 it
                 ?
                 or
                 have
                 you
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 object
                 against
                 it
                 ?
                 Return
                 your
                 Answer
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 whose
                 Name
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 whose
                 Appointment
                 these
                 words
                 are
                 spoken
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 convinced
                 that
                 this
                 
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 is
                 the
                 
                   only
                   way
                
                 for
                 the
                 relief
                 and
                 deliverance
                 of
                 our
                 Souls
                 ;
                 Then
                 ,
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Abhorr
                   your selves
                   for
                   all
                   your
                   blindness
                   and
                   obstinacy
                
                 whereby
                 you
                 have
                 hither
                 to
                 
                   despised
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Tenders
                 of
                 Pardon
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Be
                 abased
                 and
                 humbled
                 to
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 your
                 vileness
                 ,
                 Pollutions
                 ,
                 and
                 Abominations
                 ;
                 which
                 things
                 are
                 every
                 day
                 spoken
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 need
                 not
                 here
                 be
                 repeated
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 Labour
                 to
                 
                   exercise
                   your
                   hearts
                   greatly
                   with
                   thoughts
                   of
                   that
                   abundant
                   Grace
                   that
                   is
                   manifested
                   in
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   sinners
                   comeing
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 Excellency
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 unfolded
                 .
                 Consider
                 the
                 
                   Eternal
                   Love
                
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Fountain
                 and
                 Spring
                 of
                 this
                 whole
                 dispensation
                 ;
                 the
                 inexpressible
                 
                   Love
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 in
                 establishing
                 and
                 confirming
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 removing
                 all
                 hindrances
                 and
                 obstructions
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 blood
                 ,
                 bringing
                 forth
                 unto
                 beauty
                 and
                 Glory
                 this
                 Redemption
                 or
                 Forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 let
                 the
                 
                   Glory
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 which
                 
                   alone
                   makes
                   this
                   discovery
                   of
                   Forgiveness
                
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 dwell
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 .
                 Let
                 your
                 minds
                 be
                 exercised
                 about
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 You
                 will
                 find
                 effects
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 as
                 yet
                 been
                 brought
                 forth
                 in
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 What
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 have
                 you
                 hitherto
                 been
                 conversant
                 about
                 ?
                 when
                 you
                 have
                 risen
                 above
                 the
                 turmoyling
                 of
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 in
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 the
                 entanglements
                 of
                 your
                 Callings
                 ,
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 affairs
                 ,
                 what
                 have
                 you
                 been
                 able
                 to
                 raise
                 your
                 hearts
                 unto
                 ?
                 
                   perplexing
                   fears
                
                 about
                 your
                 Condition
                 ,
                 
                   General
                   hopes
                
                 without
                 savour
                 or
                 relish
                 ,
                 yielding
                 you
                 no
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 
                   Legal
                   Commands
                   ,
                   Bondage-duties
                   ,
                   distracted
                   Consciences
                   ,
                   broken
                   Purposes
                
                 and
                 Promises
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 tossed
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 withall
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 certain
                 rest
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 Effects
                 have
                 these
                 thoughts
                 produced
                 ?
                 have
                 they
                 made
                 you
                 
                   more
                   holy
                
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 humble
                 ?
                 have
                 they
                 given
                 you
                 
                   delight
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 unto
                 new
                 
                 obedience
                 ?
                 Not
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 Where
                 you
                 were
                 ,
                 there
                 you
                 still
                 are
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 progress
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 bring
                 your
                 Souls
                 unto
                 these
                 Springs
                 ;
                 and
                 try
                 the
                 Lord
                 if
                 from
                 that
                 day
                 you
                 be
                 not
                 blessed
                 with
                 spiritual
                 stores
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 carry
                 on
                 your
                 Souls
                 thus
                 far
                 ,
                 then
                 
                   stirr
                   up
                   your selves
                   ,
                   to
                   choose
                   and
                   close
                   with
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   forgiveness
                
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 revealed
                 .
                 Choose
                 it
                 only
                 ,
                 choose
                 it
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 opposition
                 unto
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 Say
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 for
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 so
                 accordingly
                 .
                 Here
                 venture
                 ,
                 here
                 repose
                 ,
                 here
                 rest
                 your
                 Souls
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 
                   peace
                   ,
                   safety
                   ,
                   Holyness
                
                 ,
                 beauty
                 ,
                 strength
                 ,
                 power
                 ,
                 liberty
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 the
                 Nature
                 ,
                 the
                 Name
                 ,
                 the
                 Love
                 ,
                 the
                 Purposes
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 the
                 Oath
                 
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 the
                 Love
                 ,
                 Life
                 ,
                 Death
                 ,
                 or
                 Blood
                 ,
                 the
                 Mediation
                 ,
                 or
                 Oblation
                 and
                 Intercession
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 The
                 Power
                 and
                 Efficacy
                 of
                 
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Gospel
                   Grace
                
                 by
                 him
                 administred
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 you
                 Assurance
                 of
                 the
                 excellency
                 ,
                 the
                 oneness
                 ,
                 the
                 safety
                 of
                 the
                 Way
                 ,
                 whereunto
                 you
                 are
                 engaging
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 now
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 perswade
                 your
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 souls
                 ,
                 to
                 enter
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   path
                   marked
                   out
                   before
                   you
                
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 carry
                 you
                 on
                 through
                 the
                 
                   various
                   exercises
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 unto
                 this
                 closure
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 the
                 Glory
                 ,
                 the
                 Gospel
                 will
                 be
                 Exalted
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 own
                 Souls
                 shall
                 reap
                 the
                 Eternal
                 benefit
                 of
                 this
                 Exhortation
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 now
                 if
                 not
                 withstanding
                 
                   all
                   that
                   hath
                   been
                   spoken
                
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Invitations
                 you
                 have
                 had
                 ,
                 and
                 Incouragements
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 held
                 out
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 continue
                 to
                 despise
                 this
                 
                   so
                   great
                   salvation
                
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 
                   live
                   and
                   dye
                
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 wherein
                 you
                 are
                 ;
                 why
                 then
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Wife
                   of
                   Jeroboam
                
                 ,
                 Come
                 neer
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 sent
                 unto
                 you
                 with
                 
                   heavy
                   Tydings
                
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 then
                 ,
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 resolve
                 to
                 
                   continue
                   in
                   the
                   neglect
                   of
                   this
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   do
                   so
                   accordingly
                   ,
                
                 Then
                 Cursed
                 be
                 you
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 Curses
                 that
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Curses
                 that
                 are
                 denounced
                 against
                 Despisers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 be
                 you
                 
                   Anathema
                   Maranatha
                
                 ;
                 Cursed
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 untill
                 the
                 comeing
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 comes
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 cursed
                 from
                 his
                 presence
                 into
                 Everlasting
                 destruction
                 .
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 Curse
                 them
                 all
                 ye
                 holy
                 Angels
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 obstinate
                 Enemies
                 of
                 your
                 King
                 and
                 Head
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Curse
                 them
                 all
                 ye
                 Churches
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 despisers
                 of
                 that
                 Love
                 and
                 Mercy
                 which
                 is
                 your
                 portion
                 ,
                 your
                 Life
                 ,
                 your
                 Inheritance
                 ;
                 Let
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 curse
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoyce
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 Lord
                 comeing
                 forth
                 mightily
                 ,
                 and
                 prevailing
                 against
                 them
                 to
                 their
                 everlasting
                 ruine
                 .
                 Why
                 should
                 any
                 one
                 have
                 a
                 
                   thought
                   of
                   compassion
                
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   despise
                   the
                   compassion
                   of
                   God
                
                 ?
                 or
                 of
                 mercy
                 towards
                 them
                 who
                 trample
                 on
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Whilest
                 there
                 is
                 yet
                 hope
                 ,
                 we
                 desire
                 to
                 have
                 continual
                 sorrow
                 for
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 
                   travail
                   in
                   soul
                
                 for
                 your
                 conversion
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 hardened
                 in
                 your
                 way
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 joyn
                 with
                 you
                 against
                 him
                 ?
                 shall
                 we
                 preferre
                 you
                 above
                 his
                 Glory
                 ?
                 shall
                 we
                 desire
                 your
                 salvation
                 with
                 the
                 despoyling
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 honour
                 ?
                 Nay
                 ,
                 God
                 forbid
                 ,
                 We
                 hope
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 in
                 seeing
                 all
                 
                   that
                   vengeance
                   and
                   indignation
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 poured
                 out
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 upon
                 your
                 Souls
                 :
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 28
                 ,
                 29
                 ,
                 30
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 33.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Rules
                   to
                   be
                   observed
                   by
                   them
                   who
                   would
                   come
                   to
                   stability
                   in
                   Obedience
                   .
                   The
                   first
                   Rule
                   .
                   Christ
                   the
                   only
                   infallible
                   Judge
                   of
                   our
                   spiritual
                   condition
                   .
                   How
                   he
                   judgeth
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   Word
                   and
                   Spirit
                   .
                
              
               
                 That
                 which
                 remaineth
                 to
                 be
                 further
                 carried
                 on
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 Principles
                 laid
                 down
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 perswade
                 with
                 Souls
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 intangled
                 in
                 the
                 depths
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   close
                   with
                   this
                   Forgiveness
                   by
                   Believing
                   ,
                
                 unto
                 their
                 Peace
                 and
                 Consolation
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 such
                 persons
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 pleas
                 and
                 objections
                 against
                 themselves
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 chiefly
                 in
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 endeavour
                 to
                 obviate
                 these
                 Objections
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 encourage
                 them
                 unto
                 believing
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 them
                 unto
                 settlement
                 .
                 And
                 herein
                 whatever
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 offer
                 ,
                 flowes
                 naturally
                 from
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 at
                 large
                 laid
                 down
                 and
                 asserted
                 .
                 Yet
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 particulars
                 apply
                 my self
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   in
                   Generall
                
                 fix
                 on
                 those
                 things
                 that
                 may
                 tend
                 to
                 the
                 Establishment
                 and
                 Consolation
                 of
                 both
                 distressed
                 and
                 doubting
                 Souls
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 do
                 what
                 I
                 purpose
                 these
                 two
                 wayes
                 .
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 lay
                 down
                 such
                 
                   General
                   Rules
                
                 as
                 are
                 necessary
                 
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 by
                 all
                 those
                 who
                 intend
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Gospel
                 peace
                 and
                 Comfort
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 shall
                 consider
                 some
                 such
                 Objections
                 as
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 comprehensive
                 of
                 those
                 special
                 reasonings
                 where
                 with
                 
                   distressed
                   persons
                
                 do
                 usually
                 intangle
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 begin
                 with
                 
                   General
                   Rules
                
                 ,
                 which
                 through
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Supplyes
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 of
                 use
                 unto
                 Believers
                 in
                 the
                 condition
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
              
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         I.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Be
                           not
                           Judges
                           of
                           your
                           own
                           Condition
                           ,
                           but
                           let
                           Christ
                           judge
                           .
                        
                         You
                         are
                         invited
                         to
                         take
                         the
                         comfort
                         of
                         this
                         Gospel
                         Truth
                         ,
                         That
                         there
                         is
                         
                           Forgiveness
                           with
                           God.
                        
                         You
                         say
                         not
                         for
                         you
                         ;
                         so
                         said
                         Jacob
                         ;
                         
                           My
                           way
                           is
                           hid
                           from
                           the
                           Lord
                           ,
                        
                         Isa.
                         40.
                         27.
                         and
                         Sion
                         said
                         so
                         too
                         ,
                         chap.
                         49.
                         14.
                         
                         
                           The
                           Lord
                           hath
                           forsaken
                           me
                           ,
                           and
                           my
                           Lord
                           hath
                           forgotten
                           me
                           .
                        
                         But
                         did
                         they
                         make
                         a
                         
                           right
                           Judgement
                        
                         of
                         themselves
                         ?
                         We
                         find
                         in
                         those
                         places
                         that
                         God
                         was
                         otherwise
                         minded
                         .
                         This
                         
                           false
                           Judgement
                        
                         made
                         by
                         Souls
                         in
                         their
                         intanglements
                         ,
                         of
                         their
                         own
                         Condition
                         ,
                         is
                         oft-times
                         a
                         most
                         unconquerable
                         hinderance
                         unto
                         the
                         bettering
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         They
                         fill
                         themselves
                         with
                         thoughts
                         of
                         their
                         own
                         about
                         it
                         ,
                         and
                         on
                         them
                         they
                         dwell
                         ,
                         instead
                         of
                         looking
                         out
                         after
                         a
                         Remedy
                         .
                         
                           Misgiving
                           thoughts
                        
                         of
                         their
                         distempers
                         ,
                         are
                         commonly
                         a
                         great
                         part
                         of
                         some
                         mens
                         sickness
                         .
                         
                           Many
                           diseases
                        
                         are
                         apt
                         to
                         cloud
                         the
                         thoughts
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         cause
                         misapprehensions
                         concerning
                         their
                         own
                         nature
                         ,
                         and
                         danger
                         .
                         And
                         these
                         delusions
                         are
                         a
                         real
                         part
                         of
                         the
                         persons
                         sickness
                         .
                         Nature
                         is
                         no
                         less
                         impaired
                         and
                         weakened
                         by
                         them
                         ,
                         the
                         Efficacy
                         of
                         Remedies
                         no
                         less
                         obstructed
                         ,
                         than
                         by
                         any
                         other
                         reall
                         distemper
                         .
                         In
                         such
                         cases
                         we
                         perswade
                         men
                         to
                         acquiesce
                         in
                         the
                         Judgement
                         of
                         their
                         
                           skilfull
                           Physitian
                        
                         ,
                         not
                         alwayes
                         to
                         be
                         wasting
                         themselves
                         in
                         and
                         by
                         their
                         own
                         tainted
                         imaginations
                         ,
                         and
                         so
                         despond
                         upon
                         their
                         own
                         mistakes
                         ;
                         but
                         to
                         rest
                         in
                         what
                         is
                         informed
                         them
                         by
                         him
                         ,
                         who
                         is
                         acquainted
                         with
                         the
                         causes
                         and
                         tendency
                         of
                         their
                         indisposition
                         better
                         than
                         themselves
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         oft-times
                         one
                         part
                         of
                         the
                         
                           Souls
                           depths
                        
                         ,
                         to
                         have
                         false
                         apprehensions
                         of
                         its
                         Condition
                         .
                         
                           Sin
                           is
                           a
                           madness
                        
                         ;
                         Eccles.
                         9.
                         3.
                         so
                         far
                         as
                         any
                         one
                         is
                         under
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         he
                         is
                         under
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         
                           madness
                           .
                           Madness
                        
                         doth
                         not
                         sooner
                         ,
                         nor
                         
                         more
                         effectually
                         discover
                         it self
                         in
                         any
                         way
                         or
                         thing
                         ,
                         than
                         in
                         possessing
                         them
                         in
                         whom
                         it
                         is
                         ,
                         with
                         
                           strange
                           conceits
                        
                         and
                         apprehensions
                         of
                         themselves
                         .
                         So
                         doth
                         this
                         
                           madness
                           of
                           sin
                        
                         ,
                         according
                         unto
                         its
                         degrees
                         ,
                         and
                         prevalency
                         .
                         Hence
                         some
                         cry
                         
                           Peace
                           ,
                           peace
                        
                         ,
                         when
                         
                           suddain
                           destruction
                           is
                           at
                           hand
                        
                         ,
                         1
                         Thess.
                         5.
                         3.
                         
                         It
                         is
                         that
                         madness
                         ,
                         under
                         whose
                         power
                         they
                         are
                         ,
                         which
                         gives
                         them
                         such
                         groundless
                         Imaginations
                         of
                         themselves
                         and
                         their
                         own
                         Condition
                         .
                         And
                         some
                         say
                         they
                         
                           are
                           lost
                        
                         for
                         ever
                         ,
                         when
                         God
                         is
                         with
                         them
                         .
                      
                       
                         Do
                         you
                         then
                         your
                         duty
                         ,
                         and
                         let
                         Christ
                         judge
                         of
                         your
                         state
                         .
                         Your
                         Concernment
                         is
                         too
                         great
                         ,
                         to
                         make
                         it
                         a
                         reasonable
                         demand
                         ,
                         to
                         commit
                         the
                         Judgement
                         of
                         your
                         condition
                         to
                         any
                         other
                         .
                         When
                         
                           Eternal
                           welfare
                        
                         or
                         woe
                         are
                         at
                         the
                         stake
                         ,
                         for
                         a
                         man
                         to
                         renounce
                         his
                         own
                         thoughts
                         ,
                         to
                         give
                         up
                         himself
                         implicitly
                         ,
                         to
                         the
                         Judgement
                         of
                         men
                         fallible
                         and
                         lyars
                         like
                         himself
                         ,
                         is
                         stupidity
                         ;
                         But
                         there
                         is
                         no
                         danger
                         of
                         being
                         deceived
                         by
                         the
                         sentence
                         of
                         Christ.
                         The
                         truth
                         is
                         ,
                         whether
                         we
                         will
                         or
                         no
                         ,
                         he
                         will
                         Judge
                         ;
                         and
                         according
                         as
                         
                           he
                           determines
                        
                         so
                         shall
                         things
                         be
                         found
                         at
                         the
                         last
                         day
                         ,
                         Joh.
                         5.
                         22.
                         
                         
                           The
                           Father
                           judgeth
                           no
                           man
                        
                         ,
                         (
                         that
                         is
                         ,
                         immediately
                         and
                         in
                         his
                         own
                         Person
                         )
                         
                           but
                           hath
                           committed
                           all
                           judgement
                           unto
                           the
                           Son.
                           All
                           Judgment
                        
                         that
                         respects
                         Eternity
                         ,
                         whether
                         it
                         be
                         to
                         be
                         passed
                         in
                         this
                         World
                         or
                         in
                         that
                         to
                         come
                         ,
                         is
                         committed
                         unto
                         him
                         .
                         Accordingly
                         in
                         that
                         place
                         〈◊〉
                         judgeth
                         both
                         of
                         Things
                         and
                         Persons
                         .
                         Things
                         he
                         determines
                         upon
                         ,
                         v.
                         24.
                         
                         
                           He
                           that
                           heareth
                           my
                           Word
                           ,
                           and
                           believeth
                           on
                           him
                           that
                           sent
                           me
                           ,
                           hath
                           everlasting
                           life
                           ,
                           and
                           shall
                           not
                           come
                           into
                           condemnation
                           ,
                           but
                           is
                           passed
                           from
                           death
                           unto
                           life
                           .
                        
                         Let
                         men
                         say
                         what
                         they
                         please
                         ,
                         
                           This
                           sentence
                        
                         shall
                         stand
                         ;
                         
                           Faith
                           and
                           eternal
                           life
                           are
                           inseparably
                           conjoyned
                           .
                        
                         And
                         so
                         of
                         Persons
                         ,
                         v.
                         38.
                         
                         
                           You
                           have
                           not
                        
                         ,
                         (
                         saith
                         he
                         to
                         the
                         Pharisees
                         ,
                         who
                         were
                         much
                         otherwise
                         minded
                         )
                         
                           the
                           Word
                           of
                           God
                           abiding
                           in
                           you
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         Take
                         not
                         then
                         the
                         Office
                         and
                         Prerogative
                         of
                         Christ
                         out
                         of
                         his
                         hand
                         ,
                         by
                         making
                         a
                         Judgement
                         upon
                         your
                         own
                         Reasonings
                         ,
                         and
                         Conclusions
                         ,
                         and
                         Deductions
                         of
                         your
                         state
                         and
                         Condition
                         .
                         You
                         will
                         find
                         that
                         he
                         often-times
                         both
                         on
                         the
                         one
                         hand
                         ,
                         and
                         on
                         the
                         other
                         ,
                         determines
                         
                           quite
                           contrary
                        
                         to
                         what
                         men
                         
                           judge
                           of
                           themselves
                        
                         ;
                         As
                         also
                         to
                         what
                         
                           others
                           judge
                           of
                           them
                        
                         .
                         Some
                         he
                         judgeth
                         to
                         be
                         in
                         an
                         
                           evil
                           condition
                        
                         ,
                         who
                         are
                         very
                         confident
                         that
                         
                         it
                         is
                         well
                         with
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         who
                         please
                         themselves
                         in
                         the
                         thoughts
                         of
                         many
                         to
                         the
                         same
                         purpose
                         .
                         And
                         he
                         judgeth
                         the
                         state
                         of
                         some
                         to
                         be
                         Good
                         ,
                         who
                         are
                         diffident
                         in
                         themselves
                         ,
                         and
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         despised
                         by
                         others
                         .
                         We
                         may
                         single
                         out
                         
                           an
                           Example
                        
                         or
                         two
                         in
                         each
                         kind
                         .
                      
                       
                         1.
                         
                         Laodicea's
                         Judgement
                         of
                         her self
                         ,
                         and
                         her
                         spiritual
                         state
                         we
                         have
                         ,
                         Revel
                         .
                         3.
                         17.
                         
                         
                           I
                           am
                           rich
                           ,
                           and
                           increased
                           with
                           Goods
                           ,
                           and
                           have
                           need
                           of
                           nothing
                           .
                        
                         A
                         fair
                         state
                         it
                         seems
                         ,
                         a
                         blessed
                         Condition
                         .
                         She
                         
                           wants
                           nothing
                        
                         that
                         may
                         contribute
                         to
                         her
                         rest
                         ,
                         peace
                         and
                         reputation
                         ;
                         she
                         is
                         Orthodox
                         ,
                         and
                         Numerous
                         ,
                         and
                         Flourishing
                         ;
                         makes
                         a
                         fair
                         profession
                         ,
                         and
                         all
                         is
                         well
                         within
                         .
                         So
                         
                           she
                           belives
                        
                         ,
                         so
                         she
                         reports
                         of
                         her self
                         ;
                         wherein
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         secret
                         reflexion
                         also
                         upon
                         others
                         whom
                         she
                         despiseth
                         .
                         Let
                         them
                         shift
                         as
                         they
                         list
                         ,
                         I
                         am
                         thus
                         as
                         I
                         say
                         .
                         But
                         was
                         it
                         so
                         with
                         her
                         indeed
                         ?
                         was
                         that
                         her
                         
                           true
                           Condition
                        
                         whereof
                         she
                         was
                         so
                         perswaded
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         profess
                         it
                         unto
                         all
                         ?
                         Let
                         
                           Jesus
                           Christ
                        
                         be
                         heard
                         to
                         speak
                         in
                         this
                         cause
                         ,
                         let
                         him
                         come
                         and
                         judge
                         ?
                         I
                         will
                         do
                         so
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         v.
                         14.
                         
                         
                           Thus
                           saith
                           the
                           Amen
                           ,
                           the
                           faithfull
                           and
                           true
                           Witness
                           .
                        
                         Coming
                         to
                         give
                         sentence
                         in
                         a
                         case
                         of
                         this
                         importance
                         ,
                         he
                         gives
                         himself
                         
                           this
                           Title
                        
                         that
                         we
                         may
                         know
                         his
                         Word
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         
                           acquiesced
                           in
                        
                         .
                         Every
                         man
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         is
                         a
                         Lyar
                         ;
                         Their
                         Testimony
                         is
                         of
                         no
                         value
                         ,
                         let
                         them
                         pronounce
                         what
                         they
                         will
                         of
                         themselves
                         ,
                         or
                         of
                         one
                         another
                         ;
                         
                           I
                           am
                           the
                           Amen
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         I
                         will
                         see
                         whose
                         Word
                         shall
                         stand
                         ,
                         mine
                         or
                         theirs
                         .
                         What
                         then
                         saith
                         he
                         of
                         Laodicea
                         ?
                         
                           Thou
                           art
                           wretched
                           ,
                           and
                           miserable
                           and
                           poor
                           ,
                           and
                           blind
                           ,
                           and
                           naked
                           .
                        
                         O
                         wofull
                         and
                         sad
                         disappointment
                         !
                         O
                         dreadfull
                         surprizall
                         !
                         Ah
                         how
                         many
                         
                           Laodicean
                           Churches
                        
                         have
                         we
                         in
                         the
                         World
                         ?
                         How
                         many
                         Professors
                         are
                         
                           members
                           of
                           these
                           Chruches
                        
                         ?
                         Not
                         to
                         mention
                         the
                         generality
                         of
                         men
                         that
                         live
                         under
                         the
                         means
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         all
                         which
                         have
                         
                           Good
                           hopes
                        
                         of
                         their
                         Eternal
                         Condition
                         whilest
                         they
                         are
                         despised
                         and
                         abhorred
                         by
                         the
                         
                           only
                           Judge
                        
                         .
                         Among
                         Professors
                         themselves
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         dreadfull
                         to
                         think
                         how
                         many
                         will
                         be
                         found
                         light
                         when
                         they
                         come
                         to
                         be
                         weighed
                         in
                         this
                         ballance
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         Again
                         ,
                         he
                         
                           Judgeth
                           some
                           to
                           be
                           in
                           a
                           good
                           condition
                           ,
                        
                         be
                         they
                         themselves
                         never
                         so
                         diffident
                         ;
                         Revel
                         .
                         2.
                         9.
                         saith
                         he
                         to
                         the
                         Church
                         of
                         Smyrna
                         ;
                         
                           I
                           know
                           thy
                           poverty
                        
                         ;
                         Smyrna
                         was
                         complaining
                         that
                         she
                         was
                         a
                         poor
                         
                           contemptible
                           Congregation
                        
                         ,
                         not
                         fit
                         for
                         
                         him
                         to
                         take
                         any
                         notice
                         of
                         .
                         Well
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         fear
                         not
                         ;
                         I
                         know
                         
                           thy
                           poverty
                        
                         whereof
                         thou
                         complainest
                         ;
                         but
                         thou
                         art
                         Rich
                         ;
                         That
                         is
                         
                           my
                           Judgement
                        
                         ,
                         Testimony
                         ,
                         and
                         Sentence
                         concerning
                         thee
                         and
                         thy
                         condition
                         .
                         Such
                         will
                         be
                         his
                         Judgement
                         at
                         the
                         last
                         day
                         ,
                         when
                         both
                         those
                         ,
                         on
                         the
                         one
                         hand
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         other
                         ,
                         shall
                         be
                         suprized
                         with
                         his
                         sentence
                         ,
                         the
                         one
                         with
                         Joy
                         ,
                         at
                         the
                         riches
                         of
                         his
                         Grace
                         ;
                         The
                         other
                         with
                         terror
                         at
                         the
                         severity
                         of
                         
                           his
                           Justice
                           ,
                           Math.
                        
                         25
                         37
                         ,
                         38
                         ,
                         39.
                         and
                         44
                         ,
                         45.
                         
                         This
                         case
                         is
                         directly
                         stated
                         in
                         
                           both
                           the
                           places
                        
                         mentioned
                         in
                         the
                         entrance
                         of
                         this
                         discourse
                         ;
                         as
                         in
                         that
                         for
                         instance
                         ,
                         Isa.
                         49.
                         14.
                         
                         
                           Zion
                           said
                           ,
                           the
                           Lord
                           hath
                           forsaken
                           me
                           .
                        
                         That
                         is
                         
                           Zions
                           judgement
                        
                         of
                         her self
                         ,
                         and
                         her
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         ;
                         a
                         sad
                         report
                         and
                         conclusion
                         .
                         But
                         doth
                         Christ
                         agree
                         with
                         Zion
                         in
                         this
                         sentence
                         ?
                         The
                         next
                         verse
                         gives
                         us
                         his
                         Resolution
                         of
                         this
                         matter
                         ;
                         Can
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         
                           a
                           Woman
                           forget
                           her
                           sucking
                           Childe
                           ,
                           that
                           she
                           should
                           not
                           have
                           compassion
                           on
                           the
                           Son
                           of
                           her
                           wombe
                           ;
                           Yea
                           they
                           may
                           forget
                           ,
                           yet
                           will
                           not
                           I
                           forget
                           thee
                           .
                        
                         The
                         state
                         of
                         things
                         in
                         Truth
                         ,
                         is
                         as
                         much
                         otherwise
                         as
                         can
                         possibly
                         be
                         thought
                         or
                         imagined
                         .
                      
                       
                         To
                         what
                         purpose
                         is
                         it
                         for
                         men
                         to
                         be
                         
                           passing
                           a
                           Judgement
                        
                         upon
                         themselves
                         ,
                         when
                         there
                         is
                         no
                         manner
                         of
                         certainty
                         in
                         their
                         determinations
                         ;
                         and
                         when
                         their
                         proceeding
                         thereon
                         will
                         probably
                         lead
                         them
                         to
                         further
                         entanglements
                         ,
                         if
                         not
                         to
                         eternal
                         ruine
                         .
                         The
                         
                           Judging
                           of
                           Souls
                        
                         as
                         to
                         their
                         spiritual
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         is
                         the
                         work
                         of
                         Jesus
                         Christ
                         ;
                         especially
                         as
                         to
                         the
                         End
                         now
                         under
                         Enquiry
                         .
                         Men
                         may
                         ,
                         men
                         
                           do
                           take
                        
                         many
                         wayes
                         to
                         make
                         a
                         Judgement
                         of
                         themselves
                         .
                         Some
                         do
                         it
                         on
                         
                           slight
                           and
                           trivial
                           conjectures
                        
                         ;
                         some
                         on
                         
                           bold
                           and
                           wicked
                           presumptions
                        
                         ;
                         some
                         on
                         desperate
                         
                           Atheistical
                           notions
                        
                         ;
                         as
                         Deut.
                         29.
                         17.
                         some
                         with
                         more
                         sobriety
                         and
                         sence
                         of
                         Eternity
                         ,
                         lay
                         
                           down
                           principles
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         good
                         and
                         true
                         in
                         themselves
                         ;
                         from
                         them
                         they
                         
                           draw
                           conclusions
                        
                         ,
                         arguing
                         from
                         one
                         thing
                         unto
                         another
                         ;
                         and
                         in
                         the
                         end
                         oft-times
                         either
                         
                           deceive
                           themselves
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         sit
                         down
                         no
                         less
                         in
                         the
                         dark
                         ,
                         than
                         they
                         were
                         at
                         the
                         entrance
                         of
                         their
                         self-debate
                         and
                         Examination
                         .
                         A
                         mans
                         judgement
                         upon
                         his
                         own
                         reasonings
                         is
                         
                           seldom
                           true
                        
                         ,
                         more
                         
                           seldom
                           permanent
                        
                         .
                         I
                         speak
                         not
                         of
                         self-examination
                         ,
                         with
                         a
                         due
                         discussion
                         of
                         Graces
                         and
                         Actions
                         ,
                         but
                         of
                         the
                         
                           final
                           sentence
                           as
                           to
                           state
                           and
                           condition
                           ,
                        
                         wherein
                         the
                         soul
                         is
                         to
                         acquiesce
                         .
                         This
                         belongs
                         unto
                         Christ.
                         
                      
                       
                       
                         Now
                         there
                         are
                         
                           Two
                           wayes
                        
                         whereby
                         the
                         Lord
                         Jesus
                         Christ
                         gives
                         forth
                         his
                         
                           decretory
                           sentence
                        
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         .
                      
                       
                         1.
                         
                         
                           By
                           his
                           Word
                        
                         .
                         He
                         determines
                         in
                         the
                         
                           Word
                           of
                           the
                           Gospel
                        
                         of
                         the
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         of
                         all
                         men
                         indefinitely
                         .
                         Each
                         Individual
                         coming
                         to
                         that
                         Word
                         ,
                         receives
                         his
                         own
                         sentence
                         and
                         doom
                         .
                         He
                         told
                         the
                         Jews
                         that
                         Moses
                         accused
                         them
                         ,
                         John
                         5.
                         45.
                         
                         His
                         
                           Law
                           accused
                        
                         and
                         condemned
                         the
                         transgressors
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         And
                         so
                         doth
                         the
                         
                           acquit
                           every
                           one
                        
                         that
                         is
                         discharged
                         ,
                         by
                         the
                         Word
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         .
                         And
                         our
                         self-judging
                         ,
                         is
                         but
                         our
                         
                           receiving
                           by
                           faith
                        
                         his
                         Sentence
                         in
                         the
                         Word
                         .
                         His
                         process
                         herein
                         we
                         have
                         recorded
                         ,
                         Joh
                         33.
                         22
                         ,
                         23.
                         
                         
                           His
                           soul
                        
                         (
                         that
                         is
                         of
                         the
                         sinner
                         )
                         
                           draweth
                           neer
                           to
                           the
                           grave
                           ,
                           and
                           his
                           life
                           to
                           the
                           destroyers
                        
                         ;
                         This
                         seems
                         to
                         be
                         his
                         state
                         ;
                         it
                         is
                         so
                         indeed
                         ;
                         he
                         is
                         at
                         the
                         very
                         brink
                         of
                         the
                         grave
                         and
                         hell
                         .
                         What
                         then
                         ;
                         why
                         
                           if
                           there
                           be
                           with
                           him
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         stand
                         over
                         him
                         ,
                         
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                        
                         the
                         
                           Angel
                           interpreting
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         the
                         Angel
                         of
                         the
                         Covenant
                         ,
                         who
                         alone
                         is
                         
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                        
                         the
                         
                           one
                           of
                           a
                           thousand
                        
                         ;
                         what
                         shall
                         he
                         doe
                         ?
                         
                           He
                           shall
                           shew
                           unto
                           him
                           his
                           uprightness
                           .
                        
                         He
                         shall
                         give
                         in
                         unto
                         him
                         a
                         right
                         determination
                         of
                         his
                         interest
                         in
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         of
                         the
                         state
                         and
                         frame
                         of
                         his
                         heart
                         towards
                         God
                         ;
                         whereupon
                         God
                         shall
                         speak
                         peace
                         unto
                         his
                         Soul
                         ,
                         and
                         deliver
                         him
                         from
                         his
                         entanglements
                         ,
                         v.
                         24.
                         
                         Jesus
                         Christ
                         hath
                         in
                         the
                         
                           Word
                           of
                           the
                           Gospel
                        
                         stated
                         the
                         condition
                         of
                         every
                         man.
                         He
                         tells
                         us
                         ,
                         that
                         sinners
                         ,
                         of
                         what
                         sort
                         soever
                         they
                         are
                         ,
                         that
                         believe
                         ,
                         are
                         accepted
                         with
                         him
                         ;
                         and
                         shall
                         receive
                         forgiveness
                         from
                         God
                         ;
                         that
                         
                           none
                           shall
                        
                         be
                         refused
                         or
                         cast
                         off
                         that
                         
                           come
                           unto
                           God
                        
                         by
                         him
                         .
                         The
                         Soul
                         of
                         whom
                         we
                         are
                         treating
                         is
                         now
                         upon
                         the
                         work
                         of
                         
                           coming
                           unto
                           God
                        
                         for
                         forgiveness
                         by
                         Jesus
                         Christ.
                         Many
                         and
                         weighty
                         Objections
                         it
                         hath
                         in
                         and
                         against
                         its
                         self
                         ,
                         why
                         it
                         should
                         not
                         come
                         ,
                         why
                         it
                         shall
                         not
                         be
                         accepted
                         .
                         Our
                         
                           Lord
                           Jesus
                        
                         the
                         Wisdom
                         of
                         God
                         foresaw
                         all
                         these
                         Objections
                         ;
                         he
                         foreknew
                         what
                         could
                         be
                         said
                         in
                         the
                         case
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         he
                         hath
                         determined
                         the
                         matter
                         ,
                         as
                         hath
                         been
                         declared
                         .
                         In
                         General
                         ,
                         mens
                         arguings
                         against
                         themselves
                         arise
                         from
                         Sin
                         and
                         the
                         Law.
                         Christ
                         knowes
                         what
                         is
                         in
                         them
                         both
                         .
                         He
                         tryed
                         them
                         to
                         the
                         uttermost
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         their
                         penalties
                         ;
                         and
                         yet
                         he
                         hath
                         so
                         determined
                         as
                         we
                         have
                         shewed
                         .
                         Their
                         
                           particular
                           Objections
                        
                         ,
                         are
                         from
                         particular
                         considerations
                         of
                         sin
                         ;
                         their
                         Greatness
                         ,
                         their
                         Number
                         ,
                         their
                         Aggravations
                         .
                         Christ
                         knows
                         all
                         these
                         also
                         ;
                         
                         And
                         yet
                         
                           stands
                           to
                           his
                           firmer
                           determination
                        
                         .
                         Upon
                         the
                         whole
                         matter
                         then
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         meet
                         his
                         Word
                         should
                         stand
                         .
                         I
                         know
                         when
                         a
                         Soul
                         brings
                         it self
                         to
                         be
                         judged
                         by
                         the
                         Word
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ,
                         it
                         doth
                         not
                         alwayes
                         in
                         a
                         like
                         manner
                         receive
                         and
                         rest
                         in
                         the
                         sentence
                         given
                         .
                         But
                         when
                         Christ
                         is
                         pleased
                         to
                         
                           speak
                           the
                           word
                           with
                           power
                        
                         to
                         men
                         ,
                         they
                         shall
                         
                           hear
                           the
                           voyce
                           of
                           the
                           Son
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         be
                         concluded
                         by
                         it
                         .
                         Let
                         the
                         Soul
                         then
                         that
                         is
                         rising
                         
                           out
                           of
                           depths
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         pressing
                         towards
                         a
                         sence
                         of
                         forgiveness
                         ,
                         lay
                         it self
                         down
                         before
                         the
                         
                           Word
                           of
                           Christ
                        
                         in
                         the
                         Gospel
                         .
                         Let
                         him
                         attend
                         to
                         what
                         he
                         speaks
                         ;
                         and
                         if
                         for
                         a
                         while
                         it
                         hath
                         not
                         power
                         upon
                         him
                         to
                         quiet
                         his
                         heart
                         ,
                         let
                         him
                         wait
                         a
                         season
                         ,
                         and
                         light
                         shall
                         arise
                         unto
                         him
                         out
                         of
                         darkness
                         .
                         Christ
                         will
                         give
                         in
                         his
                         sentence
                         into
                         his
                         Conscience
                         with
                         that
                         power
                         and
                         efficacy
                         ,
                         as
                         he
                         shall
                         finde
                         rest
                         and
                         peace
                         in
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Christ
                           also
                           judgeth
                           by
                           his
                           Spirit
                        
                         ;
                         not
                         only
                         in
                         making
                         this
                         sentence
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         to
                         be
                         received
                         effectually
                         in
                         the
                         Soul
                         ,
                         but
                         in
                         and
                         by
                         
                           peculiar
                           Actings
                        
                         of
                         his
                         upon
                         the
                         heart
                         and
                         soul
                         of
                         a
                         Believer
                         :
                         1.
                         
                         Cor.
                         2.
                         11.
                         
                         
                           We
                           have
                           received
                           the
                           Spirit
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                           that
                           we
                           may
                           know
                           the
                           things
                           that
                           are
                           freely
                           given
                           us
                           of
                           God.
                        
                         The
                         Spirit
                         of
                         Christ
                         acquaints
                         the
                         Soul
                         ,
                         that
                         this
                         and
                         that
                         Grace
                         is
                         from
                         him
                         ,
                         that
                         this
                         or
                         that
                         duty
                         was
                         performed
                         in
                         his
                         strength
                         .
                         He
                         brings
                         to
                         mind
                         ,
                         what
                         at
                         such
                         and
                         such
                         times
                         was
                         wrought
                         in
                         men
                         by
                         himself
                         ,
                         to
                         give
                         them
                         supportment
                         and
                         relief
                         in
                         the
                         times
                         of
                         depths
                         and
                         darkness
                         .
                         And
                         when
                         it
                         hath
                         been
                         clearly
                         discovered
                         unto
                         the
                         Soul
                         at
                         any
                         time
                         by
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ,
                         that
                         any
                         thing
                         wrought
                         in
                         it
                         ,
                         or
                         done
                         by
                         it
                         hath
                         been
                         truely
                         saving
                         ;
                         The
                         Comfort
                         of
                         it
                         will
                         abide
                         in
                         the
                         midst
                         of
                         many
                         shakings
                         and
                         Temptations
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         He
                         also
                         by
                         his
                         Spirit
                         
                           bears
                           witness
                           with
                           our
                           Spirits
                        
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         our
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         .
                         Of
                         this
                         I
                         have
                         spoken
                         largely
                         elsewhere
                         ,
                         and
                         therefore
                         shall
                         now
                         pass
                         it
                         by
                         .
                      
                       
                         This
                         then
                         is
                         our
                         
                           first
                           General
                           Rule
                        
                         and
                         Direction
                         .
                         Selfdeterminations
                         concerning
                         mens
                         spiritual
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         ,
                         because
                         their
                         minds
                         are
                         usually
                         influenced
                         by
                         their
                         distempers
                         ,
                         are
                         seldom
                         right
                         and
                         according
                         to
                         Rule
                         .
                         Mistakes
                         in
                         such
                         determinations
                         are
                         exceedingly
                         prejudicial
                         to
                         a
                         Soul
                         seeking
                         out
                         after
                         relief
                         ,
                         and
                         sence
                         of
                         Forgiveness
                         ;
                         let
                         Christ
                         then
                         be
                         the
                         Judge
                         in
                         this
                         Case
                         by
                         his
                         Word
                         and
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         as
                         hath
                         been
                         directed
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         II.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           Self-condemnation
                           and
                           abhorrency
                           for
                           sin
                           consistent
                           with
                           Gospel
                           Justification
                           and
                           Peace
                           .
                           The
                           nature
                           of
                           Gospel-Assurance
                           ;
                           what
                           is
                           consistent
                           with
                           it
                           .
                           What
                           are
                           the
                           Effects
                           of
                           it
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Self-Condemnation
                           and
                           Abhorrency
                           do
                           very
                           well
                           consist
                           with
                           Gospel-Justification
                           and
                           Peace
                           .
                        
                         Some
                         men
                         have
                         
                           no
                           peace
                        
                         ,
                         because
                         they
                         have
                         that
                         ,
                         without
                         which
                         it
                         is
                         impossible
                         they
                         
                           should
                           have
                           peace
                        
                         .
                         Because
                         they
                         cannot
                         
                           but
                           condemn
                           themselves
                        
                         ,
                         they
                         cannot
                         entertain
                         a
                         sence
                         ,
                         that
                         God
                         doth
                         
                           acquit
                           them
                        
                         .
                         But
                         this
                         is
                         the
                         mystery
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ,
                         which
                         unbelief
                         is
                         a
                         stranger
                         unto
                         ;
                         Nothing
                         but
                         faith
                         can
                         give
                         a
                         real
                         subsistence
                         unto
                         these
                         things
                         ,
                         in
                         the
                         same
                         Soul
                         ,
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         easie
                         to
                         learn
                         the
                         notion
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         but
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         easie
                         to
                         experience
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         For
                         a
                         man
                         to
                         have
                         a
                         sight
                         of
                         that
                         
                           within
                           him
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         would
                         condemn
                         him
                         for
                         which
                         he
                         is
                         troubled
                         ,
                         and
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         to
                         have
                         a
                         discovery
                         of
                         that
                         
                           without
                           him
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         will
                         justifie
                         him
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         rejoyce
                         therein
                         ,
                         is
                         that
                         which
                         he
                         is
                         not
                         lead
                         unto
                         ,
                         but
                         by
                         
                           Faith
                           in
                           the
                           mystery
                           of
                           the
                           Gospel
                           .
                        
                         We
                         are
                         now
                         under
                         a
                         
                           Law
                           for
                           Justification
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         excludes
                         all
                         
                           boasting
                           ,
                           Rom.
                        
                         3.
                         27.
                         
                         So
                         that
                         though
                         we
                         have
                         joy
                         enough
                         in
                         another
                         ,
                         yet
                         we
                         may
                         have
                         ,
                         we
                         alwayes
                         have
                         
                           sufficient
                           cause
                        
                         of
                         humiliation
                         in
                         our selves
                         .
                         The
                         Gospel
                         will
                         teach
                         a
                         man
                         to
                         
                           feel
                           sin
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         believe
                         Righteousness
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         .
                         Faith
                         will
                         carry
                         Heaven
                         in
                         one
                         hand
                         ,
                         and
                         Hell
                         in
                         the
                         other
                         ;
                         shewing
                         the
                         
                           one
                           deserved
                        
                         ,
                         the
                         
                           other
                           purchased
                        
                         .
                         A
                         man
                         may
                         see
                         enough
                         of
                         his
                         
                           own
                           sin
                        
                         and
                         folly
                         to
                         bring
                         
                           Gehennam
                           è
                           Coelo
                        
                         ,
                         a
                         Hell
                         of
                         wrath
                         out
                         of
                         Heaven
                         ;
                         and
                         yet
                         see
                         Christ
                         bring
                         
                           Coelum
                           ex
                           inferno
                        
                         ,
                         a
                         Heaven
                         of
                         blessedness
                         out
                         of
                         an
                         Hell
                         of
                         punishment
                         .
                         And
                         these
                         must
                         needs
                         produce
                         very
                         divers
                         ,
                         yea
                         contrary
                         effects
                         and
                         operations
                         in
                         the
                         Soul.
                         And
                         he
                         who
                         knows
                         not
                         how
                         to
                         assign
                         them
                         their
                         
                           proper
                           duties
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         seasons
                         ,
                         must
                         needs
                         be
                         perplexed
                         .
                         The
                         work
                         of
                         self-condemnation
                         then
                         ,
                         which
                         men
                         in
                         these
                         depths
                         cannot
                         but
                         abound
                         with
                         ,
                         is
                         in
                         the
                         disposition
                         of
                         the
                         
                           Covenant
                           of
                           Grace
                        
                         ,
                         no
                         way
                         inconsistent
                         with
                         ,
                         nor
                         unsuited
                         unto
                         Justification
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         enjoyment
                         of
                         Peace
                         in
                         the
                         sence
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         There
                         may
                         be
                         a
                         
                           deep
                           sence
                        
                         of
                         sin
                         on
                         other
                         considerations
                         besides
                         
                           Hell.
                           David
                        
                         
                         was
                         never
                         more
                         
                           humbled
                           for
                           sin
                        
                         ,
                         than
                         when
                         Nathan
                         told
                         him
                         
                           it
                           was
                           forgiven
                        
                         .
                         And
                         there
                         may
                         be
                         a
                         
                           view
                           of
                           Hell
                        
                         as
                         deserved
                         ,
                         which
                         yet
                         the
                         Soul
                         may
                         know
                         it self
                         freed
                         from
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         the
                         issue
                         .
                      
                       
                         To
                         evidence
                         our
                         intendment
                         in
                         this
                         discourse
                         ,
                         I
                         shall
                         briefly
                         consider
                         what
                         we
                         intend
                         by
                         
                           Gospel
                           Assurance
                           of
                           Forgiveness
                        
                         ,
                         that
                         the
                         Soul
                         may
                         not
                         be
                         solicitous
                         and
                         perplexed
                         ,
                         about
                         the
                         
                           utter
                           want
                        
                         of
                         that
                         ,
                         which
                         perhaps
                         it
                         is
                         already
                         in
                         some
                         enjoyment
                         of
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         Some
                         men
                         seem
                         to
                         place
                         
                           Gospel
                           Assurance
                        
                         in
                         an
                         
                           high
                           unassaulted
                           Confidence
                        
                         of
                         Acceptance
                         with
                         God.
                         They
                         think
                         it
                         is
                         in
                         none
                         but
                         such
                         ,
                         as
                         if
                         a
                         man
                         should
                         go
                         to
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         ask
                         them
                         ,
                         are
                         
                           you
                           certain
                           you
                           shall
                           be
                           saved
                           ,
                        
                         have
                         boldness
                         ,
                         and
                         confidence
                         ,
                         and
                         ostentation
                         to
                         answer
                         presently
                         ,
                         
                           yea
                           they
                           are
                           certain
                        
                         they
                         shall
                         be
                         saved
                         .
                         But
                         as
                         the
                         blessed
                         
                           Truth
                           of
                           Assurance
                        
                         hath
                         been
                         reproached
                         in
                         the
                         World
                         
                           under
                           such
                           a
                           notion
                        
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         so
                         such
                         expressions
                         become
                         not
                         them
                         who
                         know
                         what
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         have
                         to
                         do
                         with
                         the
                         Holy
                         God
                         who
                         
                           is
                           a
                           consuming
                           fire
                        
                         .
                         Hence
                         some
                         conclude
                         ,
                         that
                         there
                         are
                         
                           very
                           few
                        
                         Believers
                         who
                         have
                         any
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         because
                         they
                         have
                         not
                         this
                         confidence
                         ,
                         or
                         are
                         more
                         free
                         to
                         mention
                         the
                         oppasition
                         they
                         meet
                         with
                         ,
                         than
                         the
                         supportment
                         they
                         enjoy
                         .
                         And
                         thus
                         is
                         it
                         rendred
                         a
                         matter
                         
                           not
                           greatly
                           to
                           be
                           desired
                        
                         ,
                         because
                         it
                         is
                         so
                         rarely
                         to
                         be
                         obtained
                         ;
                         
                           most
                           of
                           the
                           Saints
                        
                         serving
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         going
                         to
                         Heaven
                         well
                         enough
                         without
                         it
                         ;
                         But
                         the
                         matter
                         is
                         otherwise
                         .
                         The
                         importance
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         not
                         only
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         our
                         
                           life
                           of
                           comfort
                        
                         and
                         joy
                         ,
                         but
                         also
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         the
                         principal
                         means
                         of
                         the
                         
                           flourishing
                           of
                           our
                           Life
                           of
                           Holiness
                           ,
                        
                         hath
                         been
                         declared
                         before
                         ;
                         and
                         might
                         be
                         further
                         manifested
                         ,
                         were
                         that
                         our
                         present
                         business
                         ;
                         Yea
                         and
                         in
                         
                           times
                           of
                           tryall
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         are
                         the
                         proper
                         seasons
                         for
                         the
                         Effectual
                         working
                         and
                         manifestation
                         
                           of
                           Assurance
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         will
                         and
                         doth
                         appear
                         ,
                         that
                         many
                         ,
                         yea
                         that
                         most
                         of
                         the
                         Saints
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         are
                         made
                         partakers
                         of
                         this
                         Grace
                         and
                         Priviledge
                         .
                      
                       
                         I
                         shall
                         then
                         in
                         the
                         pursuit
                         of
                         
                           the
                           Rule
                        
                         laid
                         down
                         ,
                         do
                         these
                         two
                         things
                         .
                         (
                         1.
                         )
                         Shew
                         what
                         things
                         they
                         are
                         which
                         are
                         not
                         only
                         consistent
                         with
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         but
                         are
                         even
                         
                           necessary
                           concomitants
                        
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         which
                         yet
                         if
                         not
                         duely
                         weighed
                         and
                         considered
                         ,
                         may
                         
                         seem
                         so
                         far
                         to
                         impeach
                         a
                         mans
                         
                           comfortable
                           perswasion
                        
                         of
                         his
                         condition
                         before
                         God
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         leave
                         him
                         
                           beneath
                           the
                           Assurance
                        
                         sought
                         after
                         .
                         And
                         ,
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         I
                         shall
                         speak
                         somewhat
                         of
                         
                           its
                           nature
                        
                         :
                         Especially
                         as
                         manifesting
                         its
                         self
                         by
                         its
                         Effects
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         1.
                         
                         
                           A
                           deep
                           sense
                           of
                           the
                           evil
                           of
                           sin
                           ,
                           of
                           the
                           guilt
                           of
                           mans
                           own
                           sin
                           ,
                           is
                           no
                           way
                           inconsistent
                           with
                           Gospel
                           assurance
                           of
                           Acceptance
                           with
                           God
                           through
                           Christ
                           ,
                           and
                           of
                           Forgiveness
                           in
                           him
                           .
                        
                         By
                         a
                         
                           sense
                           of
                           the
                           guilt
                           of
                           sin
                        
                         ;
                         I
                         understand
                         two
                         things
                         .
                         (
                         1.
                         )
                         A
                         clear
                         
                           conviction
                           of
                           sin
                        
                         by
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ,
                         saying
                         unto
                         the
                         Soul
                         ,
                         
                           Thou
                           art
                           the
                           man
                        
                         ;
                         and
                         (
                         2.
                         )
                         A
                         
                           sense
                           of
                           the
                           displeasure
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         or
                         the
                         wrath
                         due
                         to
                         sin
                         ,
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         sentence
                         of
                         the
                         Law.
                         Both
                         these
                         David
                         expresseth
                         in
                         that
                         complaint
                         ,
                         Psal.
                         31.
                         10.
                         
                         
                           My
                           life
                           is
                           spent
                           with
                           grief
                           ,
                           and
                           my
                           years
                           with
                           sighing
                           ,
                           my
                           strength
                           faileth
                           because
                           of
                           mine
                           Iniquity
                           ,
                           and
                           my
                           bones
                           are
                           consumed
                           .
                        
                         His
                         Iniquity
                         was
                         before
                         him
                         ,
                         and
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         it
                         pressed
                         him
                         sore
                         .
                         But
                         yet
                         notwithstanding
                         all
                         this
                         ,
                         he
                         had
                         a
                         comfortable
                         perswasion
                         that
                         God
                         was
                         his
                         God
                         in
                         Covenant
                         ,
                         v.
                         14.
                         
                         
                           I
                           trusted
                           in
                           thee
                           O
                           Lord
                           ,
                           I
                           said
                           ,
                           thou
                           art
                           my
                           God.
                        
                         And
                         the
                         tenor
                         of
                         the
                         Covenant
                         ,
                         wherein
                         alone
                         God
                         is
                         the
                         God
                         of
                         any
                         person
                         is
                         ,
                         that
                         he
                         will
                         
                           be
                           mercifull
                           unto
                           their
                           sin
                           and
                           iniquity
                           .
                        
                         To
                         whom
                         he
                         is
                         a
                         God
                         ,
                         he
                         is
                         so
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         Tenor
                         of
                         that
                         Covenant
                         ;
                         so
                         that
                         here
                         these
                         two
                         are
                         conjoyned
                         .
                         Saith
                         he
                         ,
                         Lord
                         ,
                         I
                         am
                         pressed
                         with
                         the
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         guilt
                         of
                         mine
                         Iniquities
                         ,
                         and
                         thou
                         act
                         my
                         God
                         who
                         forgivest
                         them
                         .
                         And
                         the
                         ground
                         hereof
                         is
                         ,
                         that
                         God
                         by
                         the
                         Gospel
                         hath
                         
                           divided
                           the
                           work
                           of
                           the
                           Law
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         taken
                         part
                         of
                         it
                         out
                         of
                         its
                         hand
                         .
                         It
                         s
                         whole
                         work
                         and
                         duty
                         is
                         to
                         
                           condemn
                           the
                           sin
                        
                         and
                         
                           the
                           sinner
                        
                         .
                         The
                         sinner
                         is
                         freed
                         by
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ,
                         but
                         its
                         right
                         lyes
                         against
                         the
                         sin
                         still
                         ,
                         that
                         it
                         condemns
                         ,
                         and
                         that
                         justly
                         .
                         Now
                         though
                         the
                         
                           sinner
                           himself
                        
                         be
                         freed
                         ,
                         yet
                         finding
                         his
                         
                           sin
                           layd
                           hold
                           of
                        
                         and
                         condemned
                         ,
                         it
                         fills
                         him
                         with
                         a
                         
                           deep
                           sense
                           of
                           its
                           guilt
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         of
                         the
                         displeasure
                         of
                         God
                         against
                         it
                         ;
                         which
                         yet
                         hinders
                         not
                         ,
                         but
                         that
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         ,
                         he
                         may
                         have
                         such
                         an
                         insight
                         as
                         faith
                         gives
                         into
                         his
                         
                           personal
                           interest
                        
                         in
                         a
                         Gospel
                         acquitment
                         .
                         A
                         man
                         then
                         may
                         have
                         a
                         
                           deep
                           sense
                        
                         of
                         sin
                         all
                         his
                         dayes
                         ,
                         walk
                         under
                         the
                         sense
                         of
                         it
                         continually
                         ,
                         abhorr
                         himself
                         for
                         his
                         ingratitude
                         ,
                         unbelief
                         ,
                         
                         and
                         rebellion
                         against
                         God
                         ,
                         without
                         any
                         impeachment
                         of
                         his
                         Assurance
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Deep
                           sorrow
                           for
                           sin
                           is
                           consistent
                           with
                           Assurance
                           of
                           forgiveness
                        
                         Yea
                         it
                         is
                         a
                         great
                         means
                         of
                         preservation
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         Godly
                         sorrow
                         ,
                         mourning
                         ,
                         humiliation
                         ,
                         contriteness
                         of
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         are
                         no
                         less
                         
                           Gospel
                           Graces
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         fruits
                         of
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ,
                         than
                         Faith
                         it self
                         ;
                         and
                         so
                         are
                         consistent
                         with
                         the
                         highest
                         flourishings
                         of
                         faith
                         whatever
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         the
                         work
                         of
                         Heaven
                         it self
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         of
                         the
                         Assurance
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         to
                         
                           wipe
                           all
                           tears
                        
                         from
                         our
                         eyes
                         .
                         Yea
                         
                           these
                           Graces
                        
                         have
                         the
                         most
                         eminent
                         Promises
                         annexed
                         to
                         them
                         ,
                         as
                         Isa.
                         57.
                         15.
                         chap.
                         66.
                         2.
                         with
                         blessedness
                         it self
                         ,
                         Math.
                         5.
                         4.
                         yea
                         they
                         are
                         themselves
                         the
                         matter
                         of
                         many
                         Gracious
                         Gospel
                         Promises
                         ,
                         Zech.
                         12.
                         10.
                         so
                         that
                         they
                         are
                         
                           assuredly
                           consistent
                        
                         with
                         any
                         other
                         Grace
                         or
                         Priviledge
                         that
                         we
                         may
                         be
                         made
                         partakers
                         of
                         ;
                         or
                         are
                         promised
                         unto
                         us
                         .
                         Some
                         finding
                         the
                         weight
                         and
                         burden
                         of
                         their
                         sins
                         ,
                         and
                         being
                         called
                         to
                         
                           mourning
                           and
                           bumiliation
                        
                         on
                         that
                         account
                         ,
                         are
                         so
                         taken
                         up
                         with
                         it
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         lose
                         the
                         
                           sense
                           of
                           Forgiveness
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         rightly
                         improved
                         ,
                         would
                         promote
                         their
                         sorrow
                         ,
                         as
                         their
                         sorrow
                         seems
                         directly
                         to
                         sweeten
                         their
                         sense
                         of
                         forgiveness
                         .
                         Sorrow
                         absolutely
                         exclusive
                         of
                         the
                         faith
                         of
                         forgiveness
                         ,
                         is
                         legall
                         ,
                         and
                         tendeth
                         unto
                         death
                         .
                         Assurance
                         absolutely
                         exclusive
                         of
                         Godly
                         sorrow
                         is
                         presumption
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         a
                         
                           perswasion
                           from
                           him
                           that
                           calleth
                           us
                           .
                        
                         But
                         
                           Gospel
                           Sorrow
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         
                           Gospel
                           Assurance
                        
                         may
                         well
                         dwell
                         in
                         the
                         same
                         breast
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         .
                         Indeed
                         as
                         in
                         all
                         worldly
                         Joyes
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         
                           secret
                           wound
                        
                         ;
                         So
                         in
                         all
                         Godly
                         sorrow
                         and
                         mourning
                         
                           considered
                           in
                           its
                           self
                        
                         ,
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         
                           secret
                           Joy
                        
                         and
                         refreshment
                         ;
                         Hence
                         it
                         doth
                         not
                         wither
                         and
                         dry
                         up
                         ,
                         but
                         rather
                         enlarge
                         ,
                         open
                         ,
                         and
                         sweeten
                         the
                         heart
                         .
                         I
                         am
                         perswaded
                         that
                         generally
                         they
                         
                           mourn
                           most
                        
                         ,
                         who
                         have
                         
                           most
                           Assurance
                        
                         .
                         And
                         all
                         True
                         
                           Gospel
                           mourners
                        
                         ,
                         will
                         be
                         found
                         to
                         have
                         the
                         
                           root
                           of
                           Assurance
                        
                         so
                         grafted
                         in
                         them
                         ,
                         that
                         in
                         its
                         proper
                         season
                         (
                         a
                         time
                         of
                         trouble
                         )
                         it
                         will
                         undoubtedly
                         flourish
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         3.
                         
                         
                           A
                           deep
                           sense
                           of
                           the
                           indwelling
                           power
                           of
                           sin
                           ,
                           is
                           consistent
                           with
                           Gospel
                           Assurance
                           .
                        
                         Sense
                         of
                         indwelling
                         sin
                         will
                         cause
                         manifold
                         perplexities
                         in
                         the
                         Soul.
                         Trouble
                         ,
                         disquietments
                         ,
                         sorrow
                         ,
                         and
                         
                           anguish
                           of
                           heart
                        
                         ,
                         expressing
                         themselves
                         in
                         sighs
                         ,
                         mourning
                         ,
                         
                         groaning
                         for
                         deliverance
                         alwayes
                         attend
                         it
                         .
                         To
                         what
                         purpose
                         do
                         you
                         speak
                         to
                         a
                         Soul
                         highly
                         sensible
                         of
                         the
                         
                           restless
                           power
                           of
                           indwelling
                           sin
                        
                         concerning
                         Assurance
                         .
                         Alas
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         I
                         am
                         ready
                         to
                         perish
                         every
                         moment
                         ,
                         my
                         lusts
                         are
                         strong
                         ,
                         active
                         ,
                         restless
                         ,
                         yea
                         outragious
                         ;
                         they
                         give
                         me
                         no
                         rest
                         ,
                         no
                         liberty
                         ,
                         and
                         but
                         little
                         success
                         do
                         I
                         obtain
                         .
                         Assurance
                         is
                         for
                         Conquerours
                         ;
                         for
                         them
                         that
                         live
                         at
                         rest
                         and
                         peace
                         .
                         I
                         lie
                         groveling
                         on
                         the
                         ground
                         all
                         my
                         dayes
                         ,
                         and
                         must
                         needs
                         be
                         uncertain
                         what
                         will
                         be
                         the
                         issue
                         .
                         But
                         when
                         such
                         an
                         one
                         hath
                         done
                         all
                         he
                         can
                         ,
                         he
                         will
                         not
                         be
                         able
                         to
                         make
                         more
                         
                           wofull
                           complaints
                        
                         of
                         this
                         matter
                         than
                         Paul
                         hath
                         done
                         before
                         him
                         .
                         Rom.
                         7.
                         and
                         yet
                         he
                         closeth
                         the
                         discourse
                         of
                         it
                         with
                         as
                         high
                         an
                         
                           expression
                           of
                           assurance
                        
                         as
                         any
                         person
                         needs
                         to
                         seek
                         after
                         ,
                         
                           v.
                           last
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         chap.
                         8.
                         1.
                         
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         but
                         Enjoyment
                         that
                         excludes
                         this
                         sense
                         and
                         trouble
                         .
                         But
                         if
                         men
                         will
                         think
                         they
                         can
                         have
                         
                           no
                           Assurance
                        
                         ,
                         because
                         they
                         have
                         that
                         ,
                         without
                         which
                         it
                         is
                         impossible
                         they
                         should
                         have
                         any
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         hard
                         to
                         give
                         them
                         relief
                         .
                         A
                         little
                         
                           Cruse
                           of
                           Salt
                        
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         cast
                         into
                         these
                         
                           bitter
                           waters
                        
                         will
                         make
                         them
                         sweet
                         and
                         wholsom
                         .
                         Sense
                         of
                         the
                         guilt
                         of
                         sin
                         may
                         consist
                         with
                         faith
                         of
                         its
                         pardon
                         and
                         forgiveness
                         in
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         Godly
                         sorrow
                         may
                         dwell
                         in
                         the
                         same
                         heart
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         ,
                         with
                         Joy
                         in
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ;
                         and
                         groaning
                         after
                         deliverance
                         from
                         the
                         
                           power
                           of
                           sin
                        
                         ,
                         with
                         a
                         Gracious
                         perswasion
                         that
                         sin
                         shall
                         not
                         
                           have
                           dominion
                           over
                           us
                           ,
                           because
                           we
                           are
                           not
                           under
                           the
                           Law
                           but
                           Grace
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         4.
                         
                         
                           Doubtings
                           ,
                           Fears
                           ,
                           Temptations
                           ,
                           if
                           not
                           ordinarily
                           prevailing
                           are
                           consistent
                           with
                           Gospel
                           Assurance
                           .
                        
                         Though
                         the
                         Devils
                         power
                         he
                         limited
                         in
                         reference
                         unto
                         the
                         Saints
                         ,
                         yet
                         his
                         hands
                         are
                         not
                         tyed
                         .
                         Though
                         he
                         cannot
                         prevail
                         against
                         them
                         ,
                         yet
                         he
                         can
                         assault
                         them
                         .
                         And
                         although
                         there
                         be
                         not
                         an
                         
                           evil
                           heart
                           of
                           unbelief
                        
                         in
                         Believers
                         ,
                         yet
                         there
                         will
                         still
                         be
                         unbelief
                         in
                         their
                         hearts
                         .
                         Such
                         an
                         evidence
                         ,
                         conviction
                         ,
                         and
                         perswasion
                         of
                         Acceptance
                         with
                         God
                         as
                         are
                         exclusive
                         of
                         all
                         contrary
                         reasonings
                         ,
                         that
                         suffer
                         the
                         Soul
                         to
                         hear
                         nothing
                         of
                         Objections
                         ,
                         that
                         free
                         and
                         quiet
                         it
                         from
                         
                           all
                           assaults
                        
                         are
                         neither
                         mentioned
                         in
                         the
                         Scripture
                         ,
                         nor
                         consistent
                         with
                         that
                         state
                         wherein
                         we
                         walk
                         before
                         God
                         ,
                         nor
                         possible
                         on
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         Sathans
                         will
                         and
                         ability
                         to
                         tempt
                         ,
                         or
                         of
                         our
                         own
                         remaining
                         unbelief
                         .
                         
                           Assurance
                           encourageth
                        
                         us
                         in
                         our
                         
                         Combate
                         ,
                         it
                         delivereth
                         us
                         not
                         from
                         it
                         .
                         We
                         may
                         have
                         peace
                         :
                         
                           with
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         when
                         we
                         have
                         none
                         from
                         the
                         assaults
                         of
                         Sathan
                         .
                      
                       
                         Now
                         unless
                         a
                         man
                         do
                         duly
                         consider
                         the
                         
                           tenor
                           of
                           the
                           Covenant
                        
                         wherein
                         we
                         walk
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         that
                         Gospel
                         Obedience
                         which
                         he
                         requires
                         at
                         our
                         hands
                         ,
                         with
                         the
                         state
                         and
                         Condition
                         which
                         is
                         our
                         Lot
                         and
                         portion
                         whilest
                         we
                         live
                         in
                         this
                         World
                         ,
                         the
                         
                           dayly
                           sense
                        
                         of
                         these
                         things
                         ,
                         with
                         the
                         trouble
                         that
                         must
                         be
                         undergone
                         on
                         their
                         account
                         ,
                         may
                         keep
                         him
                         in
                         the
                         dark
                         unto
                         himself
                         ,
                         and
                         hinder
                         him
                         from
                         that
                         
                           establishment
                           in
                           believing
                        
                         which
                         otherwise
                         he
                         might
                         attain
                         unto
                         .
                         On
                         this
                         account
                         some
                         as
                         
                           holy
                           persons
                        
                         as
                         any
                         in
                         this
                         World
                         ,
                         being
                         wholly
                         taken
                         up
                         with
                         the
                         consideration
                         of
                         these
                         
                           home
                           bred
                        
                         perplexities
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         clearly
                         acquainted
                         with
                         the
                         way
                         and
                         tenor
                         of
                         assuring
                         their
                         Souls
                         before
                         God
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         Rule
                         of
                         the
                         Covenant
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         have
                         passed
                         away
                         their
                         dayes
                         in
                         
                           a
                           bondage
                           frame
                           of
                           spirit
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         unacquaintance
                         with
                         that
                         
                           strong
                           consolation
                        
                         which
                         God
                         is
                         abundantly
                         willing
                         that
                         all
                         the
                         Heirs
                         of
                         promise
                         should
                         receive
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         5.
                         
                         
                           Evangelical
                           Assurance
                           is
                           not
                           a
                           thing
                           that
                           consisteth
                           in
                           any
                           point
                           ,
                           and
                           so
                           incapable
                           of
                           variation
                           .
                        
                         It
                         may
                         be
                         higher
                         or
                         lower
                         ,
                         greater
                         or
                         less
                         ,
                         obscure
                         or
                         attended
                         with
                         more
                         Evidence
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         
                           quite
                           lost
                        
                         ;
                         when
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         
                           quite
                           at
                           its
                           highest
                        
                         .
                         God
                         sometimes
                         marvellously
                         raiseth
                         the
                         Souls
                         of
                         his
                         Saints
                         with
                         some
                         close
                         and
                         neer
                         approaches
                         unto
                         them
                         ;
                         gives
                         them
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         his
                         Eternal
                         Love
                         ;
                         
                           a
                           taste
                        
                         of
                         the
                         embraces
                         of
                         his
                         Son
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         inhabitation
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         without
                         the
                         least
                         
                           intervening
                           disturbance
                        
                         ,
                         then
                         this
                         is
                         their
                         Assurance
                         .
                         But
                         this
                         life
                         is
                         not
                         a
                         season
                         to
                         be
                         alwayes
                         
                           taking
                           wages
                        
                         in
                         ;
                         our
                         work
                         is
                         not
                         yet
                         done
                         ,
                         we
                         are
                         not
                         alwayes
                         to
                         
                           abide
                           in
                           this
                           Mount
                        
                         ;
                         we
                         must
                         
                           down
                           again
                        
                         into
                         the
                         battle
                         ,
                         fight
                         again
                         ,
                         cry
                         again
                         ,
                         complain
                         again
                         ;
                         Shall
                         the
                         Soul
                         be
                         thought
                         now
                         to
                         have
                         
                           lost
                           its
                           assurance
                        
                         ?
                         Not
                         at
                         all
                         ,
                         it
                         had
                         before
                         assurance
                         with
                         Joy
                         ,
                         Triumph
                         ,
                         and
                         Exultation
                         ;
                         it
                         hath
                         it
                         now
                         ,
                         or
                         may
                         have
                         ,
                         with
                         wrestling
                         ,
                         cryes
                         ,
                         tears
                         ,
                         and
                         supplications
                         .
                         And
                         a
                         mans
                         Assurance
                         may
                         be
                         as
                         Good
                         ,
                         as
                         true
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         
                           lyes
                           on
                           the
                           earth
                        
                         with
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         sin
                         ,
                         as
                         when
                         he
                         is
                         
                           carryed
                           up
                           to
                           the
                           third
                           Heaven
                        
                         with
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         Love
                         ,
                         and
                         foretaste
                         of
                         Glory
                         .
                         In
                         brief
                         ,
                         this
                         Assurance
                         of
                         Salvation
                         is
                         
                         such
                         a
                         Gracious
                         Evangelical
                         perswasion
                         of
                         Acceptance
                         with
                         God
                         in
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         of
                         an
                         interest
                         in
                         the
                         promises
                         of
                         preservation
                         unto
                         the
                         End
                         ,
                         wrought
                         in
                         Believers
                         by
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ,
                         in
                         and
                         through
                         the
                         exercise
                         of
                         Faith
                         ,
                         as
                         for
                         the
                         most
                         part
                         produceth
                         these
                         effects
                         following
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         1.
                         
                         
                           It
                           gives
                           delight
                           in
                           obedience
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         draws
                         out
                         Love
                         in
                         the
                         duties
                         
                           that
                           unto
                           God
                           we
                           do
                           perform
                           .
                        
                         So
                         much
                         Assurance
                         of
                         a
                         
                           Comfortable
                           Issue
                        
                         of
                         their
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         of
                         a
                         blessed
                         End
                         of
                         their
                         labours
                         and
                         duties
                         ,
                         of
                         their
                         purifying
                         their
                         hearts
                         ,
                         and
                         pressing
                         after
                         
                           universal
                           Renovation
                        
                         of
                         mind
                         and
                         life
                         ,
                         as
                         may
                         make
                         them
                         Chearfull
                         in
                         them
                         ,
                         as
                         may
                         give
                         Love
                         and
                         Delight
                         in
                         the
                         pursuit
                         of
                         what
                         they
                         are
                         engaged
                         in
                         ,
                         is
                         needfull
                         for
                         the
                         Saints
                         ,
                         and
                         they
                         they
                         do
                         not
                         often
                         go
                         without
                         it
                         ;
                         and
                         where
                         this
                         is
                         ,
                         there
                         is
                         Gospel
                         Assurance
                         .
                         To
                         
                           run
                           as
                           men
                           uncertain
                        
                         ,
                         to
                         fight
                         as
                         those
                         that
                         beat
                         the
                         Air
                         ,
                         to
                         travel
                         as
                         not
                         any
                         way
                         perswaded
                         of
                         a
                         comfortable
                         entertainment
                         or
                         refreshment
                         at
                         the
                         Journeys
                         End
                         ,
                         is
                         a
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         that
                         God
                         doth
                         not
                         frequently
                         leave
                         his
                         people
                         unto
                         .
                         And
                         when
                         he
                         doth
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         a
                         season
                         wherein
                         he
                         receives
                         very
                         little
                         of
                         Glory
                         from
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         they
                         very
                         little
                         increase
                         of
                         grace
                         in
                         themselves
                         .
                         Many
                         things
                         ,
                         as
                         hath
                         been
                         shewed
                         ,
                         do
                         interpose
                         ,
                         many
                         doubts
                         arise
                         and
                         intangling
                         perplexities
                         ,
                         but
                         still
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         
                           Comfortable
                           perswasion
                        
                         kept
                         alive
                         ,
                         that
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         Rest
                         provided
                         ,
                         which
                         makes
                         them
                         willing
                         unto
                         ,
                         and
                         chearfull
                         in
                         their
                         most
                         difficult
                         duties
                         .
                         This
                         prevaileth
                         in
                         them
                         ,
                         that
                         their
                         
                           labour
                           in
                           the
                           Lord
                        
                         ,
                         their
                         watchings
                         ,
                         praying
                         ,
                         suffering
                         ,
                         alms
                         ,
                         mortification
                         ,
                         fighting
                         against
                         temptation
                         ,
                         crucifying
                         the
                         flesh
                         with
                         the
                         lusts
                         thereof
                         ,
                         shall
                         
                           not
                           be
                           in
                           vain
                        
                         .
                         This
                         gives
                         them
                         such
                         a
                         delight
                         in
                         their
                         most
                         difficult
                         duties
                         ,
                         as
                         men
                         have
                         in
                         a
                         
                           hard
                           Journey
                        
                         towards
                         a
                         desirable
                         home
                         ,
                         or
                         a
                         place
                         of
                         Rest.
                         
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         
                           It
                           casts
                           out
                           fear
                           ,
                           tormenting
                           fear
                           ,
                           such
                           as
                           fills
                           the
                           soul
                           with
                           perplexing
                           uncertainties
                           ,
                           hard
                           thoughts
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                           and
                           dreadfull
                           apprehensions
                           of
                           wrath
                           to
                           come
                        
                         :
                         There
                         are
                         three
                         things
                         spoken
                         concerning
                         
                           that
                           fear
                        
                         which
                         is
                         inconsistent
                         with
                         the
                         
                           Assurance
                           of
                           forgiveness
                        
                         .
                         First
                         ,
                         With
                         respect
                         unto
                         its
                         principle
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         from
                         
                           a
                           spirit
                           of
                           bondage
                        
                         ,
                         Rom.
                         18.
                         15.
                         
                         
                           We
                           have
                           not
                           again
                           received
                           the
                           spirit
                           of
                           bondage
                           unto
                           fear
                        
                         :
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         such
                         a
                         fear
                         as
                         makes
                         an
                         
                         occasional
                         incursion
                         upon
                         the
                         mind
                         or
                         soul
                         ;
                         such
                         as
                         I
                         se
                         xcited
                         and
                         occasioned
                         by
                         
                           incident
                           darkness
                        
                         and
                         Temptation
                         ,
                         such
                         as
                         the
                         best
                         ,
                         and
                         persons
                         of
                         the
                         highest
                         assurance
                         are
                         liable
                         and
                         obnoxious
                         unto
                         ;
                         but
                         it
                         is
                         such
                         as
                         hath
                         a
                         compleat
                         abiding
                         principle
                         in
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         even
                         a
                         
                           spirit
                           of
                           bondage
                        
                         ,
                         a
                         prevailing
                         frame
                         constantly
                         inclining
                         it
                         to
                         fear
                         ,
                         or
                         dreadful
                         apprehensions
                         of
                         God
                         and
                         its
                         own
                         condition
                         .
                         Secondly
                         ,
                         That
                         it
                         
                           tends
                           to
                           bondage
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         brings
                         the
                         soul
                         into
                         bondage
                         ,
                         Heb.
                         2.
                         14
                         ,
                         15.
                         
                         
                           He
                           dyed
                           to
                           deliver
                           them
                           who
                           by
                           fear
                           of
                           death
                           were
                           in
                           bondage
                           all
                           their
                           daies
                           .
                        
                         Fear
                         of
                         death
                         as
                         penal
                         ,
                         as
                         it
                         lyes
                         in
                         the
                         curse
                         ,
                         which
                         is
                         that
                         fear
                         that
                         proceeds
                         from
                         a
                         
                           spirit
                           of
                           bondage
                        
                         ,
                         brings
                         the
                         persons
                         in
                         whom
                         it
                         is
                         into
                         bondage
                         ;
                         that
                         is
                         ,
                         it
                         adds
                         weariness
                         ,
                         trouble
                         ,
                         and
                         anxiety
                         of
                         mind
                         unto
                         fear
                         ,
                         and
                         puts
                         them
                         upon
                         all
                         waies
                         and
                         means
                         imaginable
                         ,
                         unduly
                         and
                         disorderly
                         to
                         seek
                         for
                         a
                         remedy
                         or
                         relief
                         .
                         Thirdly
                         ,
                         It
                         hath
                         torment
                         ;
                         
                           fear
                           hath
                           torment
                        
                         ,
                         1
                         Joh.
                         4.
                         18.
                         
                         It
                         gives
                         no
                         rest
                         ,
                         no
                         quietness
                         unto
                         the
                         mind
                         ;
                         now
                         this
                         is
                         so
                         cast
                         out
                         by
                         Gospel
                         Assurance
                         of
                         forgiveness
                         ,
                         that
                         though
                         it
                         may
                         
                           assault
                           the
                           soul
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         shall
                         not
                         possess
                         it
                         ;
                         though
                         it
                         make
                         incursions
                         upon
                         it
                         ,
                         it
                         shall
                         not
                         dwell
                         abide
                         and
                         prevail
                         in
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         3.
                         
                         
                           It
                           gives
                           the
                           soul
                           an
                           hope
                           and
                           expectation
                           of
                           the
                           Glory
                           that
                           shall
                           be
                           revealed
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         secretly
                         stirs
                         it
                         up
                         ,
                         and
                         enlivens
                         it
                         unto
                         a
                         supportment
                         in
                         sufferings
                         ,
                         tryals
                         and
                         Temptations
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         the
                         
                           hope
                           which
                           makes
                           not
                           ashamed
                        
                         ,
                         Rom.
                         5.
                         5.
                         and
                         that
                         ,
                         because
                         it
                         will
                         never
                         expose
                         the
                         soul
                         unto
                         disappointment
                         .
                         Where
                         ever
                         there
                         is
                         the
                         
                           root
                           of
                           Assurance
                        
                         ,
                         there
                         will
                         be
                         this
                         
                           fruit
                           of
                           hope
                        
                         .
                         The
                         proper
                         object
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         is
                         things
                         absent
                         ,
                         invisible
                         ,
                         eternal
                         ;
                         the
                         promised
                         reward
                         in
                         all
                         the
                         notions
                         ,
                         respects
                         and
                         concernments
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         This
                         hope
                         goes
                         out
                         unto
                         ,
                         in
                         distresses
                         ,
                         temptations
                         ,
                         failings
                         ;
                         and
                         under
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         guilt
                         and
                         power
                         of
                         sin
                         .
                         Hence
                         ariseth
                         a
                         spring
                         of
                         
                           secret
                           relief
                        
                         in
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         something
                         that
                         calms
                         the
                         heart
                         ,
                         and
                         quiets
                         the
                         spirit
                         in
                         the
                         midst
                         of
                         many
                         a
                         storm
                         .
                         Now
                         ,
                         as
                         where
                         ever
                         Assurance
                         is
                         ,
                         there
                         will
                         be
                         this
                         hope
                         ;
                         so
                         ,
                         where
                         ever
                         this
                         
                           secret
                           relieving
                           hope
                           is
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         grows
                         on
                         no
                         other
                         root
                         ,
                         but
                         a
                         
                           living
                           perswasion
                        
                         of
                         a
                         personal
                         interest
                         in
                         the
                         things
                         hoped
                         for
                         .
                      
                       
                         4.
                         
                         As
                         it
                         will
                         do
                         many
                         other
                         things
                         ;
                         so
                         that
                         I
                         may
                         give
                         one
                         comprehensive
                         instance
                         ,
                         
                           it
                           will
                           carry
                           them
                           out
                           in
                           whom
                           it
                        
                         
                         
                           is
                           ,
                           to
                           dye
                           for
                           Christ.
                        
                         Death
                         unto
                         men
                         who
                         saw
                         not
                         one
                         step
                         beyond
                         it
                         ,
                         was
                         esteemed
                         of
                         all
                         things
                         
                           most
                           terrible
                        
                         .
                         The
                         way
                         and
                         means
                         of
                         its
                         approach
                         add
                         unto
                         its
                         terrour
                         .
                         But
                         this
                         is
                         nothing
                         in
                         comparison
                         of
                         what
                         it
                         is
                         unto
                         them
                         who
                         look
                         through
                         it
                         as
                         a
                         passage
                         into
                         ensuing
                         Eternity
                         .
                         For
                         a
                         man
                         then
                         to
                         
                           chuse
                           death
                        
                         rather
                         than
                         life
                         ,
                         in
                         the
                         most
                         
                           terrible
                           manner
                        
                         of
                         its
                         approach
                         ,
                         expecting
                         an
                         Eternity
                         to
                         ensue
                         ,
                         it
                         argues
                         a
                         comfortable
                         perswasion
                         of
                         a
                         Good
                         State
                         and
                         Condition
                         after
                         death
                         .
                         Now
                         I
                         am
                         perswaded
                         that
                         there
                         are
                         hundreds
                         ,
                         who
                         upon
                         Gospel
                         saving
                         accounts
                         would
                         
                           embrace
                           a
                           stake
                        
                         for
                         the
                         
                           Testimony
                           of
                           Jesus
                        
                         ,
                         who
                         yet
                         know
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         that
                         they
                         have
                         the
                         Assurance
                         we
                         speak
                         of
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         nothing
                         else
                         would
                         enable
                         them
                         thereunto
                         .
                         But
                         these
                         things
                         being
                         besides
                         the
                         main
                         of
                         my
                         Intendment
                         ,
                         I
                         shall
                         pursue
                         them
                         no
                         further
                         ,
                         only
                         the
                         Rule
                         is
                         of
                         use
                         .
                         Let
                         the
                         soul
                         be
                         sure
                         to
                         be
                         well
                         acquainted
                         with
                         
                           the
                           nature
                        
                         of
                         that
                         which
                         it
                         seeks
                         after
                         ,
                         and
                         confesseth
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         want
                         of
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         III.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           Continuance
                           in
                           waiting
                           necessary
                           unto
                           Peace
                           and
                           Consolation
                           .
                           The
                           fourth
                           Rule
                           .
                           Remove
                           the
                           Hinderances
                           of
                           Believing
                           by
                           a
                           searching
                           out
                           of
                           sin
                           .
                           Rules
                           and
                           Directions
                           for
                           that
                           Duty
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Whatever
                           your
                           Condition
                           be
                           ,
                           and
                           your
                           Apprehension
                           of
                           it
                           ;
                           yet
                           continue
                           waiting
                           for
                           a
                           better
                           issue
                           ,
                           and
                           give
                           not
                           over
                           through
                           weariness
                           or
                           impatience
                           .
                        
                         This
                         Rule
                         contains
                         the
                         summ
                         of
                         the
                         
                           Great
                           Example
                        
                         given
                         us
                         in
                         this
                         Psalm
                         .
                         Forgiveness
                         in
                         God
                         being
                         discovered
                         ,
                         though
                         no
                         sense
                         of
                         a
                         
                           particular
                           interest
                        
                         therein
                         as
                         yet
                         obtained
                         ;
                         that
                         which
                         the
                         soul
                         applies
                         it self
                         unto
                         ,
                         is
                         
                           diligent
                           ,
                           carefull
                           ,
                           constant
                           ,
                           persevering
                           waiting
                        
                         ;
                         which
                         is
                         variously
                         expressed
                         in
                         the
                         5
                         ,
                         and
                         6
                         ,
                         verses
                         .
                         The
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         tells
                         us
                         ,
                         that
                         
                           light
                           is
                           sown
                           for
                           the
                           righteous
                           ,
                           and
                           gladness
                           for
                           the
                           upright
                           in
                           heart
                           ,
                           Psal.
                        
                         97.
                         11.
                         
                         Light
                         and
                         Gladness
                         are
                         the
                         things
                         now
                         enquired
                         after
                         .
                         Deliverance
                         from
                         darkness
                         ,
                         misapprehensions
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         hard
                         and
                         misgiving
                         thoughts
                         of
                         his
                         own
                         condition
                         ,
                         is
                         that
                         which
                         a
                         soul
                         in
                         its
                         depths
                         reacheth
                         towards
                         .
                         Now
                         ,
                         saith
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         ,
                         These
                         things
                         
                           are
                           sown
                           for
                           the
                           Righteous
                        
                         .
                         Doth
                         the
                         Husbandman
                         after
                         he
                         casts
                         his
                         seed
                         into
                         the
                         Earth
                         ,
                         immediately
                         
                         the
                         
                           next
                           day
                        
                         ,
                         the
                         
                           next
                           week
                        
                         ,
                         expect
                         that
                         it
                         will
                         be
                         harvest
                         ?
                         doth
                         he
                         think
                         to
                         reap
                         so
                         soon
                         as
                         he
                         hath
                         sown
                         ?
                         or
                         doth
                         he
                         immediately
                         say
                         ,
                         I
                         have
                         laboured
                         in
                         vain
                         ,
                         here
                         is
                         no
                         return
                         ,
                         I
                         will
                         
                           pull
                           up
                           the
                           hedge
                        
                         of
                         this
                         field
                         and
                         lay
                         it
                         waste
                         ?
                         or
                         I
                         see
                         a
                         little
                         
                           grass
                           in
                           the
                           blade
                        
                         ,
                         but
                         no
                         corn
                         ,
                         I
                         will
                         give
                         it
                         to
                         the
                         beasts
                         to
                         devour
                         it
                         ?
                         No
                         ,
                         
                           his
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         as
                         the
                         Prophet
                         speaks
                         ,
                         
                           instructs
                           him
                           unto
                           discretion
                        
                         and
                         teacheth
                         him
                         ;
                         namely
                         ,
                         what
                         he
                         must
                         do
                         ,
                         and
                         how
                         he
                         must
                         look
                         for
                         things
                         in
                         their
                         season
                         .
                         And
                         shall
                         not
                         we
                         be
                         instructed
                         by
                         him
                         ?
                         behold
                         
                           the
                           Husbandman
                        
                         ,
                         saith
                         
                           James
                           ,
                           waiteth
                           for
                           the
                           precious
                           fruit
                           of
                           the
                           Earth
                           ,
                           and
                           hath
                           long
                           patience
                           for
                           it
                           ,
                           until
                           he
                           receive
                           the
                           early
                           and
                           the
                           latter
                           rain
                           ,
                           Jam.
                        
                         5.
                         7.
                         
                         And
                         is
                         
                           Light
                           sown
                           for
                           them
                        
                         that
                         are
                         in
                         darkness
                         ,
                         and
                         shall
                         they
                         
                           stifle
                           the
                           seed
                        
                         under
                         the
                         clods
                         ,
                         or
                         spoil
                         the
                         
                           tender
                           blade
                        
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         springing
                         up
                         ,
                         or
                         refuse
                         to
                         wait
                         for
                         the
                         watering
                         and
                         dews
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         that
                         may
                         bring
                         it
                         forth
                         to
                         perfection
                         ?
                         Waiting
                         is
                         the
                         only
                         way
                         to
                         Establishment
                         and
                         Assurance
                         ;
                         we
                         cannot
                         speed
                         by
                         our
                         haste
                         ;
                         yea
                         nothing
                         puts
                         the
                         end
                         so
                         far
                         away
                         ,
                         as
                         making
                         too
                         much
                         haste
                         and
                         speed
                         in
                         our
                         Journey
                         .
                         The
                         ground
                         hereof
                         is
                         ,
                         that
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         a
                         
                           special
                           interest
                        
                         in
                         forgiveness
                         and
                         acceptance
                         ,
                         is
                         given
                         into
                         the
                         soul
                         by
                         a
                         meer
                         act
                         of
                         Soveraignty
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         ,
                         it
                         will
                         not
                         be
                         obtained
                         by
                         or
                         upon
                         any
                         rational
                         conclusions
                         or
                         deductions
                         that
                         we
                         can
                         make
                         :
                         All
                         that
                         we
                         can
                         do
                         is
                         but
                         to
                         apply
                         our selves
                         to
                         the
                         removal
                         of
                         hinderances
                         .
                         For
                         the
                         Peace
                         and
                         Rest
                         sought
                         for
                         ,
                         come
                         from
                         meer
                         prerogative
                         .
                         
                           When
                           he
                           giveth
                           quietness
                           ,
                           who
                           can
                           give
                           trouble
                           ?
                           and
                           when
                           he
                           hideth
                           his
                           face
                           ,
                           who
                           can
                           behold
                           him
                           ?
                           Job
                        
                         34.
                         29.
                         
                         Now
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         way
                         to
                         receive
                         that
                         which
                         comes
                         from
                         meer
                         Soveraignty
                         and
                         prerogative
                         ?
                         doth
                         not
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         the
                         thing
                         require
                         
                           humble
                           waiting
                        
                         ?
                         If
                         then
                         either
                         Impatience
                         cast
                         the
                         soul
                         into
                         frowardness
                         ,
                         or
                         weariness
                         make
                         it
                         slothfull
                         ,
                         which
                         are
                         the
                         two
                         waies
                         whereby
                         waiting
                         is
                         ruined
                         ;
                         Let
                         not
                         such
                         an
                         one
                         expect
                         any
                         
                           comfortable
                           Islue
                        
                         of
                         his
                         contending
                         for
                         deliverance
                         out
                         of
                         his
                         depths
                         .
                         And
                         let
                         not
                         any
                         think
                         to
                         make
                         out
                         their
                         difficulties
                         any
                         other
                         way
                         :
                         their
                         
                           own
                           Reasonings
                        
                         will
                         not
                         bring
                         them
                         to
                         any
                         establishing
                         conclusions
                         ;
                         for
                         they
                         may
                         lay
                         
                           down
                           propositions
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         have
                         no
                         considerable
                         objections
                         to
                         lye
                         against
                         either
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         be
                         far
                         enough
                         from
                         that
                         sweet
                         consolation
                         ,
                         joy
                         and
                         assurance
                         which
                         is
                         the
                         product
                         of
                         the
                         conclusion
                         ,
                         when
                         
                         God
                         is
                         not
                         pleased
                         to
                         give
                         it
                         in
                         ;
                         yea
                         a
                         man
                         may
                         sometimes
                         gather
                         up
                         consolation
                         to
                         himself
                         upon
                         such
                         terms
                         ,
                         but
                         it
                         will
                         not
                         abide
                         .
                         So
                         did
                         
                           David
                           ,
                           Psal.
                        
                         30
                         6
                         ,
                         7.
                         
                         He
                         thus
                         argues
                         with
                         himself
                         ,
                         
                           He
                           whose
                           mountain
                           is
                           made
                           strong
                           ,
                        
                         to
                         whom
                         God
                         is
                         a
                         defence
                         ,
                         
                           he
                           shall
                           never
                           be
                           moved
                           nor
                           be
                           shaken
                        
                         ;
                         but
                         
                           I
                           am
                           thus
                           settled
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         therefore
                         I
                         shall
                         not
                         be
                         moved
                         ;
                         and
                         therein
                         he
                         rejoyceth
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         an
                         expression
                         of
                         exultation
                         that
                         he
                         useth
                         ;
                         but
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         Issue
                         of
                         it
                         ?
                         In
                         the
                         midst
                         of
                         these
                         pleasing
                         thoughts
                         of
                         his
                         ,
                         God
                         
                           hides
                           his
                           face
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         
                           he
                           is
                           troubled
                        
                         ;
                         he
                         cannot
                         any
                         longer
                         draw
                         out
                         the
                         sweetness
                         of
                         the
                         conclusion
                         mentioned
                         .
                         It
                         was
                         in
                         him
                         before
                         from
                         the
                         shines
                         of
                         Gods
                         Countenance
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         from
                         any
                         arguings
                         of
                         his
                         own
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           No
                           disappointment
                           then
                           ,
                           no
                           tediousness
                        
                         or
                         weariness
                         should
                         make
                         the
                         soul
                         leave
                         waiting
                         on
                         God
                         ,
                         if
                         it
                         intend
                         to
                         attain
                         Consolation
                         and
                         Establishment
                         .
                         So
                         dealeth
                         the
                         Church
                         ,
                         Lam.
                         3.
                         21.
                         
                         
                           This
                           I
                           recall
                           to
                           mind
                           ,
                           therefore
                           have
                           I
                           hope
                        
                         :
                         What
                         is
                         it
                         that
                         she
                         calls
                         to
                         mind
                         ,
                         
                           this
                           ,
                           that
                           it
                           is
                           of
                           the
                           Lords
                           mercy
                           that
                           we
                           are
                           not
                           consumed
                           ,
                           because
                           his
                           compassions
                           fail
                           not
                           ,
                           vers
                           .
                        
                         22.
                         
                         I
                         will
                         yet
                         hope
                         ,
                         I
                         will
                         yet
                         continue
                         in
                         my
                         Expectation
                         upon
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         never
                         failing-compassion
                         ;
                         of
                         
                           endless
                           mercies
                        
                         in
                         him
                         ,
                         whatever
                         my
                         present
                         condition
                         be
                         .
                         And
                         thence
                         she
                         makes
                         a
                         blessed
                         conclusion
                         ,
                         vers
                         .
                         26.
                         
                         
                           It
                           is
                           good
                           that
                           a
                           man
                           should
                           both
                           hope
                           ,
                           and
                           quietly
                           wait
                           for
                           the
                           salvation
                           of
                           the
                           Lord.
                        
                         And
                         this
                         is
                         
                           our
                           third
                           Rule
                        
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         good
                         to
                         hope
                         and
                         wait
                         ,
                         whatever
                         our
                         present
                         condition
                         be
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         to
                         give
                         over
                         ,
                         if
                         we
                         would
                         not
                         be
                         sure
                         to
                         fail
                         :
                         whereunto
                         I
                         speak
                         no
                         more
                         ,
                         because
                         
                           the
                           close
                           of
                           this
                           Psalm
                        
                         insists
                         wholly
                         on
                         this
                         duty
                         ,
                         which
                         must
                         be
                         further
                         spoken
                         unto
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         IV.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         Seeing
                         in
                         the
                         course
                         of
                         our
                         believing
                         and
                         obedience
                         ,
                         that
                         which
                         is
                         chiefly
                         incumbent
                         on
                         us
                         ,
                         for
                         our
                         coming
                         up
                         to
                         establishment
                         and
                         consolation
                         ,
                         is
                         spiritual
                         diligence
                         in
                         the
                         removal
                         of
                         the
                         hinderances
                         thereof
                         :
                         
                           Let
                           the
                           soul
                           that
                           would
                           attain
                           thereunto
                           ,
                           make
                           through
                           work
                           in
                           the
                           search
                           of
                           sin
                           ,
                           even
                           to
                           the
                           sins
                           of
                           youth
                        
                         ;
                         that
                         all
                         scores
                         on
                         that
                         account
                         may
                         clearly
                         be
                         wiped
                         out
                         .
                         If
                         there
                         be
                         
                           much
                           rubbish
                        
                         left
                         in
                         the
                         foundation
                         of
                         the
                         
                         building
                         ,
                         no
                         wonder
                         if
                         it
                         alwaies
                         shake
                         and
                         totter
                         .
                         Mens
                         leaving
                         of
                         any
                         sin
                         
                           unsearched
                           to
                           the
                           bottom
                        
                         ,
                         will
                         poison
                         all
                         their
                         consolation
                         .
                         David
                         knew
                         this
                         ,
                         when
                         in
                         dealing
                         with
                         God
                         in
                         his
                         distresses
                         ,
                         he
                         prayes
                         that
                         he
                         would
                         not
                         
                           remember
                           the
                           sins
                           and
                           transgressions
                           of
                           his
                           youth
                           ,
                           Psal.
                        
                         5.
                         7.
                         
                         Youth
                         is
                         oftentimes
                         a
                         time
                         of
                         great
                         vanity
                         and
                         unmindfulness
                         of
                         God
                         ;
                         many
                         stains
                         and
                         spots
                         are
                         therein
                         usually
                         brought
                         upon
                         the
                         consciences
                         of
                         men
                         .
                         
                           Childhood
                           and
                           youth
                           are
                           vanity
                           ,
                           Eccles.
                        
                         11.
                         10.
                         
                         Not
                         because
                         they
                         
                           soon
                           pass
                        
                         away
                         ,
                         but
                         because
                         they
                         are
                         usually
                         spent
                         in
                         vanity
                         ,
                         as
                         the
                         following
                         advice
                         (
                         of
                         chap.
                         12.
                         1.
                         
                         )
                         to
                         remember
                         God
                         in
                         
                           those
                           daies
                        
                         ,
                         doth
                         manifest
                         .
                         The
                         way
                         of
                         many
                         is
                         to
                         
                           wear
                           such
                           things
                           out
                           of
                           mind
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         not
                         to
                         walk
                         in
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         their
                         folly
                         and
                         madness
                         ,
                         never
                         to
                         make
                         
                           through
                           work
                        
                         with
                         God
                         about
                         them
                         .
                         I
                         speak
                         of
                         the
                         Saints
                         themselves
                         ;
                         for
                         with
                         others
                         that
                         live
                         under
                         the
                         Means
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         whom
                         God
                         intends
                         any
                         way
                         to
                         make
                         usefull
                         and
                         industrious
                         in
                         their
                         Generation
                         ,
                         this
                         is
                         the
                         usual
                         course
                         ;
                         by
                         convictions
                         ,
                         restraining
                         Grace
                         ,
                         Afflictions
                         ,
                         Love
                         of
                         Employment
                         and
                         Repute
                         ,
                         God
                         gives
                         them
                         
                           another
                           heart
                        
                         than
                         they
                         had
                         for
                         a
                         season
                         .
                         Another
                         heart
                         ,
                         but
                         not
                         a
                         new
                         heart
                         .
                         Hence
                         
                           another
                           course
                           of
                           life
                        
                         ,
                         another
                         profession
                         ,
                         other
                         actions
                         than
                         formerly
                         doe
                         flow
                         ;
                         with
                         this
                         change
                         they
                         do
                         content
                         themselves
                         ;
                         they
                         look
                         on
                         
                           what
                           is
                           past
                        
                         perhaps
                         with
                         delight
                         ,
                         or
                         as
                         things
                         fit
                         enough
                         for
                         those
                         daies
                         ,
                         but
                         not
                         for
                         those
                         they
                         have
                         attained
                         unto
                         ;
                         here
                         they
                         rest
                         ,
                         and
                         therefore
                         never
                         come
                         to
                         rest
                         .
                      
                       
                         But
                         I
                         speak
                         of
                         the
                         Saints
                         themselves
                         ,
                         who
                         make
                         not
                         such
                         through
                         ,
                         full
                         ,
                         close
                         work
                         in
                         this
                         kind
                         as
                         they
                         ought
                         .
                         An
                         after-reckoning
                         may
                         come
                         in
                         on
                         this
                         hand
                         to
                         their
                         own
                         disturbance
                         ,
                         and
                         an
                         inconquerable
                         hinderance
                         of
                         their
                         peace
                         and
                         settlement
                         be
                         brought
                         in
                         ,
                         on
                         this
                         account
                         .
                         So
                         was
                         it
                         with
                         
                           Job
                           ,
                           chap.
                        
                         13.
                         26
                         ,
                         
                           He
                           makes
                           me
                           possess
                           the
                           sins
                           of
                           my
                           youth
                           .
                        
                         God
                         filled
                         his
                         heart
                         ,
                         his
                         thoughts
                         ,
                         his
                         mind
                         with
                         these
                         sins
                         ;
                         made
                         them
                         abide
                         with
                         him
                         ,
                         so
                         that
                         
                           he
                           possessed
                        
                         them
                         ;
                         they
                         were
                         alwaies
                         present
                         with
                         him
                         .
                         He
                         made
                         the
                         sins
                         of
                         his
                         youth
                         the
                         sufferings
                         of
                         his
                         age
                         .
                         And
                         it
                         is
                         a
                         sad
                         thing
                         ,
                         as
                         one
                         speaks
                         ,
                         
                           when
                           young
                           sins
                           and
                           old
                           bones
                           meet
                           together
                        
                         ;
                         as
                         
                           Zophar
                           ,
                           chap.
                        
                         20.
                         11.
                         
                         
                           His
                           bones
                           are
                           filled
                           with
                           the
                           sins
                           of
                           his
                           youth
                           .
                        
                         The
                         joyous
                         frame
                         of
                         some
                         mens
                         Youth
                         ,
                         makes
                         way
                         for
                         sad
                         work
                         in
                         their
                         Age.
                         Take
                         heed
                         young
                         
                         ones
                         ,
                         you
                         are
                         doing
                         that
                         which
                         will
                         abide
                         with
                         you
                         to
                         Age
                         ,
                         if
                         not
                         to
                         Eternity
                         .
                         This
                         possessing
                         of
                         the
                         sins
                         of
                         youth
                         ,
                         Job
                         calls
                         ,
                         the
                         
                           writing
                           of
                           bitter
                           things
                           against
                           him
                           .
                        
                         As
                         indeed
                         it
                         is
                         impossible
                         but
                         that
                         sin
                         should
                         be
                         bitter
                         one
                         time
                         or
                         other
                         .
                         God
                         calls
                         it
                         a
                         
                           root
                           that
                           beareth
                           Gall
                           and
                           Wormwood
                           ,
                        
                         Deut.
                         29.
                         18.
                         
                         
                           A
                           root
                           of
                           bitterness
                           springing
                           up
                           into
                           defilement
                           ,
                        
                         Heb.
                         12.
                         15.
                         
                         This
                         then
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         searched
                         out
                         to
                         the
                         bottom
                         .
                         Israel
                         will
                         not
                         have
                         success
                         nor
                         peace
                         whilst
                         there
                         is
                         an
                         Achan
                         in
                         the
                         Camp.
                         Neither
                         success
                         in
                         Temptation
                         ,
                         nor
                         consolation
                         in
                         believing
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         expected
                         ,
                         whilst
                         any
                         Achan
                         ,
                         any
                         sin
                         unreckoned
                         for
                         ,
                         lyes
                         in
                         the
                         conscience
                         .
                      
                       
                         Now
                         for
                         them
                         who
                         would
                         seriously
                         accomplish
                         a
                         diligent
                         search
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         which
                         is
                         of
                         such
                         importance
                         unto
                         them
                         ,
                         let
                         them
                         take
                         these
                         two
                         Directions
                         .
                      
                       
                         1.
                         
                         Let
                         them
                         go
                         over
                         the
                         consideration
                         of
                         those
                         sins
                         ,
                         and
                         others
                         of
                         the
                         like
                         nature
                         ,
                         which
                         may
                         be
                         reduced
                         unto
                         
                           the
                           same
                           General
                           heads
                           with
                           them
                           ,
                           which
                           we
                           laid
                           down
                           before
                           ,
                           as
                           the
                           sins
                           which
                           generally
                           cast
                           men
                           into
                           depths
                           and
                           intanglements
                           .
                        
                         And
                         if
                         they
                         find
                         they
                         have
                         contracted
                         the
                         guilt
                         of
                         any
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         let
                         them
                         not
                         think
                         strange
                         that
                         they
                         are
                         yet
                         bewildred
                         in
                         their
                         condition
                         ,
                         and
                         do
                         come
                         short
                         of
                         a
                         refreshing
                         sense
                         of
                         peace
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         or
                         an
                         interest
                         in
                         forgiveness
                         .
                         Rather
                         let
                         them
                         admire
                         the
                         riches
                         of
                         Patience
                         ,
                         Grace
                         and
                         forbearance
                         ,
                         that
                         they
                         are
                         not
                         cast
                         utterly
                         out
                         of
                         all
                         hopes
                         of
                         a
                         recovery
                         .
                         This
                         will
                         speed
                         an
                         end
                         unto
                         their
                         trouble
                         ,
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         direction
                         given
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         Let
                         them
                         
                           cast
                           the
                           course
                           of
                           their
                           times
                           under
                           such
                           heads
                           and
                           seasons
                           ,
                           as
                           may
                           give
                           them
                           the
                           more
                           clear
                           and
                           distinct
                           view
                           and
                           apprehension
                           of
                           the
                           passages
                           in
                           them
                           between
                           God
                           and
                           their
                           souls
                           ,
                           which
                           may
                           have
                           been
                           provoking
                           unto
                           him
                           .
                        
                         As
                         ,
                      
                       
                         First
                         ,
                         For
                         the
                         
                           state
                           of
                           their
                           inward
                           man
                        
                         ,
                         let
                         them
                         consider
                         ,
                      
                       
                         First
                         ,
                         The
                         
                           unregenerate
                           part
                           of
                           their
                           lives
                        
                         ,
                         that
                         which
                         was
                         confessedly
                         so
                         ,
                         before
                         they
                         had
                         any
                         real
                         work
                         of
                         God
                         upon
                         their
                         hearts
                         ;
                         and
                         therein
                         enquire
                         after
                         two
                         things
                         .
                      
                       
                         1.
                         
                         If
                         there
                         were
                         then
                         any
                         
                           great
                           and
                           signal
                           eruptions
                           of
                           sins
                           against
                           God
                        
                         ;
                         for
                         of
                         such
                         God
                         requires
                         that
                         a
                         deep
                         sense
                         be
                         kept
                         on
                         our
                         souls
                         all
                         our
                         daies
                         .
                         How
                         often
                         do
                         we
                         find
                         Paul
                         calling
                         over
                         the
                         sins
                         of
                         his
                         life
                         and
                         waies
                         before
                         his
                         conversion
                         .
                         I
                         was
                         ,
                         
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         injuricus
                         ,
                         and
                         a
                         blasphemer
                         .
                         Such
                         reflexions
                         ought
                         persons
                         to
                         have
                         on
                         any
                         great
                         provoking
                         occasions
                         of
                         sin
                         ,
                         that
                         may
                         keep
                         them
                         humble
                         ,
                         and
                         necessitate
                         them
                         constantly
                         to
                         look
                         for
                         a
                         fresh
                         sense
                         of
                         pardon
                         through
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         If
                         such
                         sins
                         lye
                         neglected
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         considered
                         according
                         to
                         their
                         importance
                         ,
                         they
                         will
                         weaken
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         its
                         comforts
                         whilst
                         it
                         lives
                         in
                         this
                         world
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         If
                         there
                         were
                         any
                         signal
                         
                           intimations
                           made
                           of
                           the
                           Good
                           Will
                        
                         and
                         Love
                         of
                         God
                         to
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         which
                         it
                         broke
                         off
                         from
                         through
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         its
                         corruption
                         and
                         temptation
                         ,
                         they
                         require
                         a
                         due
                         humbling
                         consideration
                         all
                         our
                         daies
                         ;
                         but
                         this
                         hath
                         been
                         before
                         spoken
                         unto
                         .
                      
                       
                         Secondly
                         ,
                         In
                         that
                         part
                         of
                         our
                         lives
                         ,
                         which
                         upon
                         the
                         call
                         of
                         God
                         we
                         have
                         given
                         up
                         unto
                         him
                         .
                         There
                         are
                         two
                         sorts
                         of
                         sins
                         that
                         do
                         effectually
                         impeach
                         our
                         future
                         peace
                         and
                         comfort
                         ,
                         which
                         ought
                         therefore
                         to
                         be
                         frequently
                         renewed
                         and
                         issued
                         in
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         First
                         ,
                         Such
                         as
                         by
                         reason
                         of
                         any
                         
                           aggravating
                           circumstances
                        
                         have
                         been
                         accompanied
                         with
                         some
                         
                           especial
                           unkindness
                        
                         towards
                         God.
                         Such
                         are
                         sins
                         after
                         warnings
                         ,
                         communications
                         of
                         a
                         sense
                         of
                         Love
                         ,
                         after
                         particular
                         ingagements
                         against
                         them
                         ,
                         relapses
                         ,
                         omissions
                         of
                         great
                         opportunities
                         and
                         advantages
                         for
                         the
                         furtherance
                         of
                         the
                         Glory
                         of
                         God
                         in
                         the
                         world
                         .
                         
                           These
                           kinds
                           of
                           sins
                        
                         have
                         much
                         unkindness
                         attending
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         will
                         be
                         searched
                         out
                         if
                         we
                         cover
                         them
                         .
                         2.
                         
                         Sins
                         attended
                         with
                         scandal
                         towards
                         fewer
                         ,
                         or
                         more
                         ,
                         or
                         any
                         one
                         single
                         person
                         who
                         is
                         or
                         may
                         be
                         concerned
                         in
                         us
                         :
                         The
                         aggravations
                         of
                         these
                         kind
                         of
                         sins
                         are
                         commonly
                         known
                         .
                      
                       
                         Thirdly
                         ,
                         The
                         various
                         outward
                         states
                         and
                         conditions
                         which
                         we
                         have
                         passed
                         through
                         ,
                         as
                         of
                         Prosperity
                         and
                         Afflictions
                         ,
                         should
                         in
                         like
                         manner
                         fall
                         under
                         this
                         search
                         and
                         consideration
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         but
                         seldom
                         that
                         we
                         
                           fill
                           up
                           our
                           duty
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         answer
                         the
                         mind
                         of
                         God
                         in
                         any
                         dispensation
                         of
                         providence
                         .
                         And
                         if
                         our
                         neglect
                         herein
                         be
                         not
                         managed
                         aright
                         ,
                         they
                         will
                         undoubtedly
                         hinder
                         and
                         interrupt
                         our
                         peace
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         V.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           The
                           fifth
                           Rule
                           .
                           Distinction
                           between
                           Unbelief
                           and
                           Jealousie
                           .
                           The
                           sixth
                           Rule
                           .
                           Distinction
                           between
                           Faith
                           and
                           Spiritual
                           Sense
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Learn
                           to
                           distinguish
                           between
                           Unbelief
                           and
                           Jealousie
                           .
                        
                         There
                         is
                         a
                         twofold
                         Unbelief
                         .
                         (
                         1.
                         )
                         That
                         which
                         is
                         universal
                         and
                         privative
                         ,
                         such
                         as
                         is
                         in
                         all
                         
                           unregenerate
                           persons
                        
                         ;
                         they
                         have
                         no
                         Faith
                         at
                         all
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         ,
                         they
                         are
                         dead
                         men
                         and
                         have
                         no
                         principles
                         of
                         spiritual
                         life
                         .
                         This
                         I
                         speak
                         not
                         of
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         easily
                         distinguished
                         from
                         
                           any
                           Grace
                        
                         ,
                         being
                         the
                         utter
                         enemy
                         and
                         privation
                         as
                         it
                         were
                         of
                         them
                         all
                         .
                         (
                         2.
                         )
                         There
                         is
                         an
                         Unbelief
                         
                           partial
                           and
                           negative
                        
                         ,
                         consisting
                         in
                         a
                         staggering
                         at
                         ,
                         or
                         Questioning
                         of
                         the
                         promises
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         displeasing
                         to
                         God
                         ,
                         a
                         sin
                         which
                         is
                         attended
                         with
                         unknown
                         Aggravations
                         ,
                         though
                         men
                         usually
                         indulge
                         it
                         in
                         themselves
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         well
                         expressed
                         ,
                         Psal.
                         78.
                         19
                         ,
                         20.
                         
                         God
                         had
                         promised
                         his
                         presence
                         to
                         the
                         people
                         in
                         the
                         wilderness
                         to
                         feed
                         ,
                         sustain
                         ,
                         and
                         preserve
                         them
                         .
                         How
                         did
                         they
                         entertain
                         these
                         promises
                         of
                         God
                         ?
                         
                           Can
                           he
                        
                         ,
                         say
                         they
                         ,
                         
                           give
                           bread
                           ?
                           can
                           he
                           give
                           flesh
                           unto
                           his
                           people
                           ?
                           vers
                           .
                        
                         20.
                         
                         What
                         great
                         sin
                         ,
                         crime
                         ,
                         or
                         offence
                         is
                         in
                         this
                         enquiry
                         ?
                         Why
                         vers
                         .
                         19.
                         
                         This
                         is
                         called
                         
                           speaking
                           against
                           God
                        
                         ;
                         
                           they
                           spake
                           against
                           God
                           ;
                           they
                           said
                           ,
                           Can
                           he
                           furnish
                           a
                           Table
                           in
                           the
                           wilderness
                           ?
                        
                         Unbelief
                         in
                         questioning
                         of
                         the
                         promises
                         is
                         a
                         
                           speaking
                           against
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         a
                         limiting
                         of
                         the
                         holy
                         One
                         of
                         Israel
                         ,
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         called
                         ,
                         vers
                         .
                         41.
                         
                         An
                         assigning
                         of
                         bounds
                         to
                         his
                         Goodness
                         ,
                         Power
                         ,
                         Kindness
                         and
                         Grace
                         ,
                         according
                         to
                         what
                         we
                         find
                         in
                         our selves
                         ,
                         which
                         he
                         abhors
                         .
                         By
                         this
                         Unbelief
                         we
                         make
                         God
                         like
                         our selves
                         ;
                         that
                         is
                         our
                         
                           limiting
                           of
                           him
                        
                         ,
                         expecting
                         no
                         more
                         from
                         him
                         ,
                         than
                         either
                         we
                         can
                         do
                         ,
                         or
                         see
                         how
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         done
                         .
                         This
                         you
                         will
                         say
                         was
                         a
                         great
                         sin
                         in
                         the
                         Israelites
                         ,
                         because
                         they
                         had
                         no
                         reason
                         to
                         doubt
                         or
                         Question
                         the
                         promises
                         of
                         God.
                         It
                         is
                         well
                         we
                         think
                         so
                         now
                         ;
                         But
                         when
                         they
                         were
                         so
                         
                           many
                           thousand
                           families
                        
                         ,
                         that
                         had
                         not
                         one
                         
                           bit
                           of
                           bread
                        
                         ,
                         nor
                         drop
                         of
                         water
                         aforehand
                         for
                         themselves
                         and
                         their
                         little
                         ones
                         ,
                         there
                         is
                         no
                         doubt
                         but
                         they
                         thought
                         themselves
                         to
                         have
                         as
                         good
                         reason
                         to
                         question
                         the
                         promises
                         ,
                         as
                         any
                         one
                         of
                         you
                         can
                         think
                         that
                         you
                         have
                         .
                         We
                         are
                         ready
                         to
                         suppose
                         that
                         we
                         have
                         all
                         the
                         reasons
                         in
                         the
                         world
                         ;
                         every
                         one
                         supposeth
                         
                         he
                         hath
                         those
                         that
                         are
                         more
                         cogent
                         than
                         any
                         other
                         hath
                         ,
                         to
                         
                           question
                           the
                           promises
                        
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         Pardon
                         ,
                         and
                         forgiveness
                         ;
                         and
                         therefore
                         the
                         
                           questioning
                           of
                           them
                        
                         is
                         not
                         their
                         sin
                         ,
                         but
                         their
                         duty
                         .
                         But
                         pretend
                         what
                         we
                         will
                         ,
                         this
                         is
                         
                           speaking
                           against
                           God
                           ,
                           limiting
                           of
                           him
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         that
                         which
                         is
                         our
                         keeping
                         off
                         from
                         stedfastness
                         and
                         Comfort
                         .
                      
                       
                         But
                         now
                         there
                         may
                         be
                         a
                         Jealousie
                         in
                         a
                         
                           Gracious
                           heart
                        
                         concerning
                         the
                         
                           love
                           of
                           Christ
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         is
                         acceptable
                         unto
                         him
                         ,
                         at
                         least
                         which
                         he
                         is
                         tender
                         towards
                         ,
                         that
                         may
                         be
                         mistaken
                         for
                         this
                         
                           questioning
                           of
                           the
                           promises
                        
                         by
                         Unbelief
                         ,
                         and
                         so
                         help
                         to
                         keep
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         darkness
                         and
                         disconsolation
                         ,
                         this
                         the
                         spouse
                         expresseth
                         in
                         her self
                         ,
                         Cant.
                         8.
                         6.
                         
                         
                           Love
                           is
                           strong
                           as
                           death
                           ,
                           jealousie
                           is
                           hard
                           as
                           the
                           Grave
                           ,
                           the
                           Coals
                           thereof
                           are
                           Coals
                           of
                           fire
                           which
                           hath
                           a
                           most
                           vehement
                           flame
                           .
                        
                         Love
                         is
                         the
                         foundation
                         .
                         The
                         root
                         ;
                         but
                         yet
                         it
                         bears
                         that
                         fruit
                         which
                         is
                         bitter
                         although
                         it
                         be
                         wholsome
                         ;
                         that
                         which
                         fills
                         the
                         soul
                         with
                         great
                         perplexities
                         ,
                         and
                         makes
                         it
                         cry
                         out
                         for
                         a
                         nearer
                         and
                         more
                         secure
                         admission
                         into
                         the
                         presence
                         of
                         Christ.
                         
                           Set
                           me
                        
                         ,
                         saith
                         the
                         Spouse
                         ,
                         
                           as
                           a
                           Seal
                           upon
                           thy
                           heart
                           ,
                           as
                           a
                           seal
                           upon
                           thine
                           Arms
                           ,
                           for
                           Jealousie
                           is
                           cruel
                           as
                           the
                           Grave
                           .
                        
                         I
                         cannot
                         bear
                         this
                         distance
                         from
                         thee
                         ,
                         these
                         fears
                         of
                         my
                         being
                         disregarded
                         by
                         thee
                         .
                         
                           Set
                           me
                           as
                           a
                           seal
                           on
                           thy
                           heart
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         Now
                         this
                         
                           spiritual
                           jealousie
                        
                         is
                         the
                         solicitousness
                         of
                         the
                         mind
                         of
                         a
                         believer
                         who
                         hath
                         a
                         sincere
                         love
                         for
                         Christ
                         ,
                         about
                         the
                         heart
                         ,
                         affection
                         ,
                         and
                         good
                         will
                         of
                         Christ
                         towards
                         it
                         ,
                         arising
                         from
                         a
                         consciousness
                         of
                         its
                         own
                         unworthiness
                         to
                         be
                         beloved
                         by
                         him
                         ,
                         or
                         accepted
                         with
                         him
                         .
                         All
                         
                           causeless
                           jealousie
                        
                         ariseth
                         from
                         a
                         secret
                         sence
                         and
                         conviction
                         of
                         unworthiness
                         in
                         the
                         person
                         in
                         whom
                         it
                         is
                         ,
                         and
                         a
                         high
                         esteem
                         of
                         him
                         that
                         is
                         the
                         object
                         of
                         it
                         ;
                         or
                         concerning
                         whose
                         love
                         and
                         affection
                         any
                         one
                         is
                         Jealous
                         .
                         So
                         it
                         is
                         with
                         this
                         
                           spiritual
                           Jealousie
                        
                         ;
                         the
                         root
                         of
                         it
                         is
                         Love
                         ,
                         sincere
                         love
                         ,
                         that
                         cannot
                         be
                         
                           quenched
                           by
                           waters
                        
                         ,
                         nor
                         drowned
                         by
                         floods
                         ,
                         v.
                         7.
                         which
                         nothing
                         can
                         utterly
                         prevail
                         against
                         ,
                         or
                         overcome
                         .
                         This
                         gives
                         the
                         soul
                         
                           high
                           thoughts
                        
                         of
                         the
                         glorious
                         Excellencies
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         fills
                         it
                         with
                         admiration
                         of
                         him
                         ;
                         these
                         are
                         mixed
                         with
                         a
                         
                           due
                           sense
                           of
                           its
                           own
                           baseness
                           ,
                        
                         vileness
                         and
                         unworthiness
                         to
                         be
                         owned
                         by
                         him
                         ,
                         or
                         accepted
                         with
                         him
                         .
                         Now
                         if
                         these
                         thoughts
                         on
                         the
                         one
                         hand
                         ,
                         and
                         on
                         the
                         other
                         be
                         not
                         directed
                         ,
                         guided
                         ,
                         and
                         managed
                         aright
                         by
                         faith
                         ,
                         which
                         alone
                         can
                         
                         shew
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         how
                         the
                         Glory
                         of
                         Christ
                         consisteth
                         principally
                         in
                         this
                         ,
                         that
                         he
                         being
                         so
                         excellent
                         and
                         glorious
                         ,
                         is
                         pleased
                         to
                         
                           love
                           us
                        
                         with
                         love
                         unexpressible
                         who
                         are
                         vile
                         and
                         sinful
                         ,
                         Questionings
                         about
                         the
                         love
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         those
                         attended
                         with
                         much
                         anxiety
                         and
                         trouble
                         of
                         mind
                         ,
                         will
                         arise
                         .
                         Now
                         this
                         frame
                         may
                         sometimes
                         be
                         taken
                         for
                         a
                         
                           questioning
                           of
                           the
                           promises
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         that
                         to
                         be
                         a
                         defect
                         in
                         faith
                         which
                         is
                         an
                         excess
                         of
                         love
                         ;
                         or
                         at
                         most
                         such
                         an
                         irregular
                         acting
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         as
                         the
                         Lord
                         Christ
                         will
                         be
                         very
                         tender
                         towards
                         ,
                         and
                         which
                         is
                         consistent
                         with
                         peace
                         and
                         a
                         due
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         forgiveness
                         of
                         sins
                         .
                         Mistake
                         not
                         then
                         these
                         one
                         for
                         another
                         ,
                         lest
                         much
                         
                           causeless
                           unquietness
                        
                         ensue
                         in
                         the
                         Judgement
                         which
                         you
                         are
                         to
                         make
                         of
                         your selves
                         .
                      
                       
                         But
                         you
                         will
                         say
                         how
                         shall
                         we
                         distinguish
                         between
                         
                           these
                           two
                        
                         ,
                         so
                         as
                         not
                         
                           causelesly
                           to
                           be
                           disquieted
                        
                         and
                         perplexed
                         ?
                         I
                         answer
                         briefly
                         ,
                      
                       
                         
                         1.
                         
                         Unbelief
                         working
                         in
                         and
                         by
                         the
                         
                           questioning
                           of
                           the
                           promises
                        
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         is
                         a
                         weakning
                         ,
                         disheartning
                         ,
                         dispiriting
                         thing
                         It
                         takes
                         off
                         the
                         edge
                         of
                         the
                         soul
                         from
                         spiritual
                         duties
                         and
                         weakens
                         it
                         both
                         as
                         unto
                         delight
                         and
                         strength
                         .
                         The
                         more
                         any
                         one
                         
                           questions
                           the
                           promises
                           of
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         the
                         less
                         life
                         ,
                         power
                         ,
                         joy
                         and
                         delight
                         in
                         obedience
                         he
                         hath
                         .
                         For
                         faith
                         is
                         the
                         spring
                         and
                         root
                         of
                         all
                         other
                         Graces
                         ;
                         and
                         according
                         as
                         that
                         thriveth
                         or
                         goeth
                         backwards
                         so
                         do
                         they
                         all
                         .
                         Men
                         think
                         sometimes
                         ,
                         that
                         their
                         uncertainty
                         of
                         the
                         love
                         of
                         God
                         and
                         of
                         acceptance
                         with
                         him
                         by
                         the
                         forgiveness
                         of
                         sin
                         ,
                         doth
                         put
                         them
                         upon
                         the
                         performance
                         of
                         many
                         duties
                         ,
                         and
                         they
                         can
                         have
                         no
                         rest
                         or
                         peace
                         in
                         the
                         omission
                         of
                         them
                         .
                         It
                         may
                         be
                         it
                         is
                         so
                         ;
                         Yea
                         this
                         is
                         the
                         state
                         and
                         Condition
                         with
                         many
                         .
                         But
                         what
                         are
                         these
                         duties
                         ?
                         and
                         how
                         are
                         they
                         performed
                         ?
                         And
                         what
                         is
                         their
                         acceptance
                         with
                         God
                         ?
                         The
                         duties
                         themselves
                         are
                         legal
                         ,
                         which
                         denomination
                         ariseth
                         not
                         from
                         the
                         Nature
                         ,
                         Substance
                         or
                         Matter
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         for
                         they
                         may
                         be
                         the
                         same
                         that
                         are
                         required
                         and
                         injoyned
                         in
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ,
                         but
                         from
                         the
                         principle
                         from
                         whence
                         they
                         proceed
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         End
                         to
                         which
                         they
                         are
                         used
                         .
                         Now
                         these
                         in
                         this
                         case
                         are
                         both
                         legal
                         ,
                         their
                         principle
                         is
                         
                           legal
                           fear
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         their
                         end
                         is
                         
                           legal
                           Righteousness
                        
                         ;
                         the
                         whole
                         attendance
                         unto
                         them
                         a
                         
                           seeking
                           of
                           righteousness
                           as
                           it
                           were
                           by
                           the
                           works
                           of
                           the
                           Law
                        
                         :
                         and
                         how
                         are
                         they
                         performed
                         ?
                         
                         Plainly
                         ,
                         with
                         a
                         bondage
                         frame
                         of
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         without
                         Love
                         ,
                         Joy
                         ,
                         Liberty
                         ,
                         or
                         Delight
                         ;
                         To
                         quiet
                         conscience
                         ,
                         to
                         pacifie
                         God
                         ,
                         are
                         the
                         things
                         in
                         them
                         aymed
                         at
                         ;
                         all
                         in
                         opposition
                         to
                         the
                         Blood
                         and
                         Righteousness
                         of
                         Christ.
                         And
                         are
                         they
                         accepted
                         with
                         God
                         ?
                         Let
                         them
                         be
                         multiplyed
                         never
                         so
                         much
                         ,
                         he
                         every
                         where
                         testifieth
                         that
                         they
                         are
                         abhorred
                         by
                         him
                         .
                         This
                         then
                         Unbelief
                         mixed
                         with
                         convictions
                         will
                         do
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         the
                         proper
                         way
                         of
                         venting
                         and
                         exercising
                         it self
                         where
                         the
                         soul
                         is
                         brought
                         under
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         conviction
                         .
                         But
                         as
                         unto
                         
                           Gospel
                           Obedience
                        
                         in
                         all
                         the
                         duties
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         to
                         be
                         carryed
                         on
                         in
                         communion
                         with
                         God
                         by
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         delight
                         in
                         him
                         ,
                         all
                         
                           questioning
                           of
                           the
                           promises
                        
                         weakens
                         and
                         discourageth
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         and
                         makes
                         them
                         all
                         wearisome
                         and
                         burdensome
                         unto
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         But
                         the
                         Jealousie
                         that
                         is
                         exercised
                         about
                         the
                         Person
                         and
                         Love
                         of
                         Christ
                         unto
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         is
                         quite
                         of
                         another
                         nature
                         ,
                         and
                         produceth
                         other
                         effects
                         .
                         It
                         
                           cheers
                           ,
                           enlivens
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         enlargeth
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         stirs
                         up
                         to
                         activity
                         ,
                         earnestness
                         ,
                         and
                         industry
                         in
                         its
                         enquiries
                         and
                         desires
                         after
                         Christ.
                         Jealousie
                         ,
                         saith
                         the
                         Spouse
                         ,
                         is
                         
                           hard
                           as
                           the
                           grave
                        
                         ,
                         therefore
                         
                           set
                           me
                           as
                           a
                           Seal
                           upon
                           thy
                           heart
                           ,
                           as
                           a
                           Seal
                           upon
                           thy
                           arm
                           .
                        
                         It
                         makes
                         the
                         soul
                         restlesly
                         pant
                         after
                         neerer
                         more
                         sensible
                         and
                         more
                         assured
                         Communion
                         with
                         Christ
                         ;
                         It
                         stirs
                         up
                         vigorous
                         and
                         active
                         Spirits
                         in
                         all
                         duties
                         .
                         Every
                         doubt
                         and
                         fear
                         that
                         it
                         ingenerates
                         concerning
                         the
                         Love
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         stirs
                         up
                         the
                         soul
                         unto
                         more
                         earnestness
                         after
                         him
                         ,
                         delight
                         in
                         him
                         ,
                         and
                         sedulous
                         watching
                         against
                         every
                         thing
                         that
                         may
                         keep
                         it
                         at
                         a
                         distance
                         from
                         him
                         ,
                         or
                         occasion
                         him
                         to
                         hide
                         ,
                         withdraw
                         ,
                         or
                         absent
                         himself
                         from
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         
                           Unbelief
                           that
                           works
                           by
                           questioning
                           of
                           the
                           promises
                           ,
                        
                         is
                         universally
                         selfish
                         ;
                         it
                         begins
                         and
                         ends
                         in
                         self
                         .
                         Self-love
                         ,
                         in
                         desires
                         after
                         freedom
                         from
                         guilt
                         ,
                         danger
                         and
                         punishment
                         ,
                         are
                         the
                         life
                         and
                         soul
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         May
                         this
                         end
                         be
                         attained
                         ,
                         it
                         hath
                         no
                         delight
                         in
                         God.
                         Nor
                         doth
                         it
                         care
                         what
                         way
                         it
                         be
                         attained
                         so
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         attained
                         .
                         May
                         such
                         persons
                         have
                         any
                         perswasions
                         that
                         they
                         shall
                         be
                         
                           freed
                           from
                           death
                           and
                           hell
                        
                         ,
                         be
                         it
                         by
                         the
                         
                           works
                           of
                           the
                           Law
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         by
                         the
                         observance
                         of
                         any
                         
                           inventions
                           of
                           their
                           own
                        
                         ,
                         whether
                         any
                         Glory
                         ariseth
                         unto
                         God
                         from
                         his
                         Grace
                         and
                         faithfulness
                         or
                         no
                         ,
                         they
                         are
                         not
                         solicitous
                         .
                      
                       
                         The
                         Jealousie
                         we
                         speak
                         of
                         hath
                         the
                         
                           Person
                           of
                           Christ
                        
                         and
                         his
                         
                         Excellency
                         for
                         its
                         constant
                         object
                         .
                         These
                         it
                         fills
                         the
                         mind
                         with
                         in
                         many
                         and
                         various
                         thoughts
                         ,
                         still
                         representing
                         him
                         more
                         and
                         more
                         
                           amiable
                           and
                           more
                           desirable
                        
                         unto
                         the
                         soul.
                         So
                         doth
                         the
                         Spouse
                         upon
                         the
                         like
                         occasion
                         ,
                         as
                         you
                         may
                         see
                         at
                         large
                         ,
                         Cant.
                         5.
                         9
                         ,
                         10
                         ,
                         11
                         ,
                         12
                         ,
                         13
                         ,
                         14
                         ,
                         15
                         ,
                         16.
                         
                         Being
                         at
                         some
                         loss
                         for
                         his
                         presence
                         ,
                         for
                         he
                         had
                         withdrawn
                         himself
                         ,
                         not
                         finding
                         
                           her
                           wonted
                           communion
                        
                         and
                         entercourse
                         with
                         him
                         ,
                         fearing
                         that
                         upon
                         her
                         provocation
                         she
                         might
                         forfeit
                         her
                         Interest
                         in
                         his
                         Love
                         ,
                         she
                         falls
                         upon
                         the
                         Consideration
                         of
                         all
                         his
                         Excellencies
                         ,
                         and
                         thereby
                         the
                         more
                         enflames
                         her self
                         unto
                         desires
                         after
                         his
                         company
                         and
                         enjoyment
                         .
                         And
                         these
                         divers
                         things
                         may
                         be
                         thus
                         distinguished
                         and
                         discerned
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         VI.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Learn
                           to
                           distinguish
                           between
                           faith
                           and
                           spiritual
                           sense
                           .
                        
                         This
                         Rule
                         the
                         Apostle
                         gives
                         us
                         ,
                         2
                         Cor.
                         5.
                         7.
                         
                         
                           We
                           walk
                           by
                           faith
                           and
                           not
                           by
                           sight
                           .
                        
                         It
                         is
                         the
                         
                           sight
                           of
                           Glory
                        
                         that
                         is
                         especially
                         here
                         intended
                         .
                         But
                         faith
                         and
                         sense
                         in
                         any
                         kind
                         are
                         clearly
                         distinguished
                         .
                         That
                         may
                         be
                         believed
                         ,
                         which
                         is
                         not
                         felt
                         .
                         Yea
                         ,
                         It
                         is
                         the
                         Will
                         and
                         Command
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         that
                         faith
                         should
                         stand
                         and
                         do
                         its
                         work
                         ,
                         where
                         all
                         sense
                         fails
                         ,
                         Esa.
                         50.
                         10.
                         
                         And
                         it
                         is
                         with
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         with
                         
                           natural
                           .
                           Thomas
                        
                         would
                         not
                         believe
                         ,
                         unless
                         he
                         saw
                         the
                         object
                         of
                         his
                         faith
                         with
                         his
                         Eyes
                         ,
                         or
                         felt
                         it
                         with
                         his
                         hand
                         :
                         but
                         ,
                         saith
                         our
                         Saviour
                         ,
                         
                           blessed
                           are
                           they
                           who
                           believe
                           ,
                           and
                           have
                           not
                           seen
                        
                         ;
                         who
                         believe
                         upon
                         the
                         
                           testimony
                           of
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         without
                         the
                         help
                         of
                         their
                         own
                         sense
                         or
                         reason
                         .
                         And
                         ,
                         if
                         we
                         will
                         believe
                         no
                         more
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         of
                         his
                         Love
                         ,
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         of
                         our
                         acceptance
                         with
                         him
                         ,
                         than
                         we
                         have
                         a
                         
                           spiritual
                           affecting
                           sense
                           of
                        
                         ,
                         we
                         shall
                         be
                         many
                         times
                         at
                         a
                         loss
                         .
                         Sensible
                         impressions
                         from
                         Gods
                         Love
                         ,
                         are
                         great
                         
                           springs
                           of
                           Joy
                        
                         ,
                         but
                         they
                         are
                         not
                         absolutely
                         necessary
                         unto
                         peace
                         ;
                         nor
                         unto
                         an
                         evidence
                         that
                         we
                         do
                         believe
                         .
                      
                       
                         We
                         will
                         deal
                         thus
                         with
                         the
                         
                           vilest
                           person
                        
                         living
                         .
                         We
                         will
                         believe
                         him
                         whilest
                         we
                         have
                         the
                         certainty
                         of
                         our
                         sense
                         to
                         secure
                         us
                         .
                         And
                         if
                         we
                         
                           deal
                           so
                        
                         with
                         God
                         what
                         is
                         there
                         in
                         our
                         so
                         doing
                         ,
                         praise
                         worthy
                         ?
                         the
                         Prophet
                         tells
                         us
                         ,
                         what
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         believe
                         ,
                         in
                         respect
                         of
                         providence
                         ,
                         Hab.
                         3.
                         17.
                         
                         When
                         there
                         is
                         nothing
                         
                         left
                         outward
                         and
                         visible
                         to
                         support
                         us
                         ,
                         then
                         to
                         
                           rest
                           quietly
                           on
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         to
                         believe
                         .
                         So
                         Psal.
                         73.
                         26.
                         
                         And
                         the
                         Apostle
                         in
                         the
                         Example
                         of
                         Abraham
                         ,
                         shews
                         us
                         what
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         believe
                         with
                         respect
                         unto
                         a
                         
                           special
                           promise
                        
                         ,
                         Rom.
                         4.
                         18.
                         
                         
                           Against
                           hope
                           ,
                           he
                           believed
                           in
                           hope
                           .
                        
                         When
                         he
                         saw
                         not
                         any
                         outward
                         
                           ordinary
                           means
                        
                         for
                         the
                         accomplishment
                         of
                         the
                         promise
                         ,
                         when
                         innumerable
                         objections
                         arose
                         against
                         any
                         
                           such
                           hope
                        
                         as
                         might
                         have
                         respect
                         unto
                         
                           such
                           means
                        
                         ,
                         yet
                         he
                         resolved
                         all
                         his
                         thoughts
                         into
                         the
                         
                           faithfulness
                           of
                           God
                        
                         in
                         the
                         promise
                         ,
                         and
                         therein
                         raised
                         a
                         new
                         hope
                         in
                         its
                         accomplishment
                         ;
                         so
                         in
                         
                           hope
                           believing
                           against
                           hope
                        
                         .
                      
                       
                         To
                         clear
                         this
                         matter
                         you
                         must
                         observe
                         what
                         I
                         intend
                         by
                         this
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         you
                         must
                         learn
                         to
                         distinguish
                         faith
                         from
                         ;
                         and
                         to
                         know
                         that
                         
                           true
                           faith
                        
                         interesting
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         forgiveness
                         may
                         be
                         without
                         it
                         ,
                         that
                         so
                         you
                         may
                         not
                         conclude
                         unto
                         a
                         real
                         
                           want
                           of
                           pardon
                        
                         ,
                         from
                         the
                         
                           want
                           of
                           the
                           refreshing
                           sense
                        
                         of
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         Grace
                         in
                         general
                         may
                         be
                         referred
                         unto
                         two
                         heads
                         .
                         (
                         1.
                         )
                         Our
                         Acceptation
                         with
                         God
                         through
                         Christ
                         ;
                         the
                         same
                         upon
                         the
                         matter
                         with
                         the
                         forgiveness
                         of
                         sin
                         that
                         we
                         are
                         treating
                         of
                         .
                         And
                         (
                         2.
                         )
                         Grace
                         of
                         Sanctification
                         from
                         God
                         in
                         Christ
                         :
                         Of
                         each
                         of
                         these
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         Experience
                         to
                         be
                         obtained
                         ;
                         in
                         both
                         distinguished
                         from
                         faith
                         that
                         gives
                         us
                         a
                         real
                         Interest
                         in
                         forgiveness
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         Of
                         the
                         first
                         ,
                         or
                         the
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         that
                         we
                         have
                         of
                         Acceptance
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         there
                         are
                         sundry
                         parts
                         or
                         degrees
                         ;
                         As
                         first
                         ,
                         hereunto
                         belongs
                         
                           peace
                           with
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         Rom.
                         5.
                         1.
                         
                         Being
                         
                           justified
                           by
                           faith
                           ,
                           we
                           have
                           peace
                           with
                           God.
                        
                         This
                         peace
                         is
                         the
                         Rest
                         and
                         composure
                         of
                         the
                         soul
                         emerging
                         out
                         of
                         troubles
                         ,
                         upon
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         the
                         Reconciliation
                         and
                         friendship
                         made
                         for
                         it
                         by
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         And
                         it
                         hath
                         ,
                         as
                         
                           all
                           peace
                        
                         hath
                         ,
                         two
                         parts
                         ;
                         First
                         ,
                         a
                         
                           freedom
                           from
                           war
                        
                         ,
                         trouble
                         ,
                         and
                         distress
                         ;
                         and
                         Secondly
                         ,
                         
                           Rest
                           ,
                           Satisfaction
                        
                         and
                         Contentment
                         in
                         the
                         condition
                         attained
                         .
                         And
                         this
                         ,
                         at
                         least
                         the
                         second
                         part
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         belongs
                         unto
                         the
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         that
                         we
                         enquire
                         after
                         .
                         Again
                         ,
                         there
                         is
                         in
                         it
                         
                           Joy
                           in
                           the
                           holy
                           Ghost
                        
                         ,
                         called
                         
                           joy
                           unspeakeable
                           ,
                           and
                           full
                           of
                           Glory
                           ,
                        
                         1
                         Pet.
                         1.
                         8.
                         as
                         also
                         
                           glorying
                           in
                           the
                           Lord
                        
                         ,
                         upon
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         his
                         Grace
                         ,
                         Esa.
                         45.
                         26.
                         with
                         many
                         the
                         like
                         Effects
                         ,
                         preceding
                         from
                         a
                         
                           shedding
                           abroad
                           of
                           the
                           Love
                           of
                           God
                        
                         in
                         our
                         hearts
                         ,
                         Rom.
                         5.
                         5.
                         
                      
                       
                       
                         Yea
                         ,
                         you
                         say
                         these
                         are
                         the
                         things
                         
                           you
                           aim
                        
                         at
                         ;
                         these
                         are
                         the
                         things
                         you
                         would
                         attain
                         ,
                         and
                         be
                         filled
                         withall
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         
                           this
                           Peace
                           ,
                           this
                           Joy
                           ,
                           this
                           glorying
                           in
                           the
                           Lord
                        
                         that
                         you
                         would
                         alwaies
                         be
                         in
                         the
                         possession
                         of
                         ;
                         I
                         say
                         you
                         do
                         well
                         to
                         
                           desire
                           them
                        
                         ,
                         to
                         seek
                         and
                         labour
                         after
                         them
                         :
                         They
                         are
                         
                           purchased
                           by
                           Christ
                        
                         for
                         Believers
                         ;
                         but
                         you
                         will
                         do
                         well
                         to
                         consider
                         under
                         what
                         notion
                         you
                         do
                         desire
                         them
                         .
                         If
                         you
                         look
                         on
                         these
                         things
                         as
                         belonging
                         to
                         the
                         
                           Essence
                           of
                           Faith
                        
                         ,
                         without
                         which
                         you
                         can
                         have
                         no
                         real
                         
                           interest
                           in
                           forgiveness
                        
                         or
                         acceptance
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         you
                         greatly
                         
                           deceive
                           your
                           own
                           souls
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         put
                         your selves
                         out
                         of
                         the
                         way
                         of
                         obtaining
                         of
                         them
                         .
                         These
                         these
                         things
                         are
                         not
                         believing
                         ,
                         nor
                         
                           adequate
                           effects
                        
                         of
                         it
                         ;
                         so
                         as
                         immediately
                         to
                         be
                         produced
                         where
                         ever
                         faith
                         is
                         :
                         But
                         they
                         are
                         
                           such
                           consequents
                        
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         as
                         may
                         ,
                         or
                         may
                         not
                         ensue
                         upon
                         it
                         ,
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         Will
                         of
                         God.
                         Faith
                         is
                         a
                         seed
                         that
                         contains
                         them
                         virtually
                         ;
                         and
                         out
                         of
                         which
                         they
                         may
                         be
                         in
                         due
                         time
                         educed
                         by
                         the
                         working
                         of
                         the
                         Word
                         and
                         Spirit
                         .
                         And
                         the
                         way
                         for
                         any
                         soul
                         to
                         be
                         made
                         partaker
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         is
                         to
                         wait
                         on
                         the
                         Soveraignty
                         of
                         God's
                         Grace
                         ,
                         who
                         
                           createth
                           peace
                        
                         in
                         the
                         exercise
                         of
                         faith
                         upon
                         the
                         promises
                         .
                         He
                         then
                         that
                         would
                         place
                         believing
                         in
                         these
                         things
                         ,
                         and
                         will
                         not
                         be
                         perswaded
                         that
                         he
                         doth
                         believe
                         ,
                         until
                         he
                         is
                         possessed
                         of
                         them
                         ;
                         he
                         doth
                         both
                         lose
                         the
                         benefit
                         ,
                         advantage
                         and
                         comfort
                         of
                         what
                         he
                         hath
                         ,
                         and
                         neglecting
                         the
                         due
                         acting
                         of
                         faith
                         ,
                         puts
                         himself
                         out
                         of
                         the
                         way
                         of
                         attaining
                         what
                         he
                         aimeth
                         at
                         .
                      
                       
                         These
                         things
                         therefore
                         are
                         not
                         needfull
                         to
                         give
                         you
                         
                           a
                           real
                           ,
                           saving
                           interest
                           in
                           forgiveness
                           ,
                        
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         tendered
                         in
                         the
                         promise
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         by
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         And
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         the
                         Will
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         that
                         ever
                         you
                         should
                         be
                         entrusted
                         with
                         them
                         .
                         It
                         may
                         be
                         ,
                         it
                         would
                         not
                         be
                         for
                         your
                         good
                         and
                         advantage
                         so
                         to
                         be
                         .
                         Some
                         servants
                         that
                         are
                         
                           ill
                           husbands
                        
                         ,
                         must
                         have
                         their
                         wages
                         kept
                         for
                         them
                         to
                         the
                         years
                         end
                         ,
                         or
                         it
                         will
                         do
                         them
                         no
                         good
                         .
                         It
                         may
                         be
                         some
                         would
                         be
                         such
                         spendthrifts
                         of
                         satisfying
                         peace
                         and
                         joy
                         ,
                         and
                         be
                         so
                         diverted
                         by
                         them
                         from
                         attending
                         unto
                         some
                         necessary
                         duties
                         ,
                         as
                         of
                         
                           humiliation
                           ,
                           mortification
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         self-abasament
                         ,
                         without
                         which
                         their
                         souls
                         cannot
                         live
                         ,
                         that
                         it
                         would
                         not
                         be
                         much
                         to
                         their
                         advantage
                         to
                         be
                         entrusted
                         with
                         them
                         .
                         It
                         is
                         from
                         the
                         
                           same
                           Care
                        
                         and
                         Love
                         ,
                         that
                         Peace
                         and
                         Joy
                         are
                         detained
                         from
                         some
                         Believers
                         ,
                         and
                         granted
                         unto
                         others
                         .
                      
                       
                       
                         You
                         are
                         therefore
                         to
                         
                           receive
                           forgiveness
                        
                         by
                         a
                         pure
                         Act
                         of
                         believing
                         ,
                         in
                         the
                         way
                         and
                         manner
                         before
                         at
                         large
                         described
                         .
                         And
                         do
                         not
                         think
                         that
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         in
                         you
                         ,
                         unless
                         you
                         have
                         constantly
                         a
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         of
                         it
                         in
                         your
                         hearts
                         .
                         See
                         in
                         the
                         
                           mean
                           time
                        
                         that
                         your
                         Faith
                         bringeth
                         forth
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         and
                         God
                         in
                         
                           due
                           time
                        
                         will
                         cause
                         it
                         to
                         bring
                         forth
                         Peace
                         .
                      
                       
                         The
                         like
                         may
                         be
                         said
                         concerning
                         the
                         other
                         
                           head
                           of
                           Grace
                        
                         ;
                         though
                         it
                         be
                         not
                         so
                         direct
                         unto
                         our
                         purpose
                         ,
                         yet
                         tending
                         also
                         to
                         the
                         relief
                         of
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         its
                         depths
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         the
                         Grace
                         that
                         we
                         have
                         
                           from
                           God
                           in
                           Christ
                        
                         for
                         our
                         sanctification
                         :
                         When
                         the
                         soul
                         cannot
                         find
                         this
                         in
                         himself
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         hath
                         not
                         a
                         spiritual
                         sense
                         and
                         experience
                         of
                         its
                         in
                         being
                         and
                         power
                         ,
                         when
                         it
                         cannot
                         evidently
                         distinguish
                         it
                         from
                         that
                         which
                         is
                         not
                         right
                         or
                         genuine
                         ,
                         It
                         is
                         filled
                         with
                         fears
                         and
                         perplexities
                         ,
                         and
                         thinks
                         it
                         is
                         yet
                         in
                         its
                         sin
                         .
                         He
                         is
                         so
                         indeed
                         who
                         hath
                         
                           no
                           Grace
                        
                         in
                         him
                         ;
                         but
                         not
                         he
                         alwaies
                         who
                         can
                         
                           find
                           none
                           in
                           him
                        
                         :
                         But
                         these
                         are
                         different
                         things
                         .
                         A
                         man
                         may
                         have
                         Grace
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         not
                         have
                         it
                         at
                         some
                         times
                         
                           much
                           acting
                        
                         ;
                         he
                         may
                         have
                         Grace
                         for
                         life
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         hath
                         it
                         not
                         for
                         fruitfulness
                         and
                         comfort
                         ,
                         though
                         it
                         be
                         his
                         duty
                         so
                         to
                         have
                         it
                         Rev.
                         3.
                         2.
                         2
                         
                         Tim.
                         1.
                         6.
                         
                         And
                         a
                         man
                         may
                         have
                         
                           Grace
                           acting
                        
                         in
                         him
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         not
                         know
                         ,
                         not
                         be
                         sensible
                         that
                         he
                         hath
                         
                           acting
                           Grace
                        
                         .
                         We
                         see
                         persons
                         frequently
                         under
                         great
                         temptations
                         of
                         apprehension
                         that
                         they
                         have
                         
                           no
                           Grace
                        
                         at
                         all
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         at
                         the
                         same
                         time
                         to
                         the
                         clearest
                         conviction
                         of
                         all
                         who
                         are
                         able
                         to
                         discern
                         spiritual
                         things
                         ,
                         sweetly
                         and
                         genuinely
                         to
                         
                           act
                           Faith
                        
                         ,
                         Love
                         ,
                         Submission
                         unto
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         that
                         in
                         an
                         high
                         and
                         eminent
                         manner
                         ,
                         Psa.
                         88.
                         
                         Heman
                         complains
                         that
                         
                           he
                           was
                           free
                           among
                           the
                           dead
                        
                         ;
                         a
                         man
                         of
                         no
                         strength
                         ,
                         vers
                         .
                         4
                         ,
                         5.
                         as
                         one
                         that
                         had
                         
                           no
                           spiritual
                           life
                        
                         ,
                         no
                         Grace
                         .
                         This
                         afflicted
                         his
                         mind
                         ,
                         and
                         almost
                         distracted
                         him
                         ,
                         vers
                         .
                         15.
                         and
                         yet
                         there
                         can
                         be
                         no
                         greater
                         expressions
                         of
                         
                           Faith
                           and
                           Love
                        
                         to
                         God
                         ,
                         than
                         are
                         mixed
                         with
                         his
                         complaints
                         .
                      
                       
                         These
                         things
                         I
                         say
                         then
                         ,
                         are
                         not
                         to
                         be
                         judged
                         of
                         by
                         
                           spiritual
                           sense
                        
                         ,
                         but
                         we
                         are
                         to
                         live
                         
                           by
                           faith
                        
                         about
                         them
                         .
                         And
                         no
                         soul
                         ought
                         to
                         conclude
                         ,
                         that
                         because
                         it
                         hath
                         not
                         the
                         one
                         ,
                         it
                         hath
                         not
                         the
                         other
                         ;
                         that
                         because
                         it
                         hath
                         not
                         Joy
                         and
                         Peace
                         ,
                         it
                         hath
                         no
                         interest
                         in
                         pardon
                         and
                         forgiveness
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         VII
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           The
                           seventh
                           Rule
                           .
                           Mix
                           not
                           foundation
                           and
                           building
                           work
                           together
                           .
                           The
                           eighth
                           spend
                           no
                           time
                           in
                           heartless
                           complaints
                           ,
                           &c.
                           
                        
                      
                       
                         
                           Mix
                           not
                           too
                           much
                           foundation
                           and
                           building
                           work
                           together
                           .
                        
                         Our
                         foundation
                         in
                         dealing
                         with
                         God
                         is
                         Christ
                         alone
                         ,
                         meer
                         Grace
                         and
                         Pardon
                         in
                         him
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         Our
                         Building
                         is
                         in
                         and
                         by
                         Holiness
                         and
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         as
                         the
                         fruits
                         of
                         that
                         faith
                         by
                         which
                         we
                         have
                         received
                         the
                         Attonemont
                         .
                         And
                         great
                         mistakes
                         there
                         are
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         which
                         bring
                         great
                         intanglements
                         on
                         the
                         souls
                         of
                         men
                         .
                         Some
                         are
                         all
                         their
                         daies
                         laying
                         of
                         the
                         foundation
                         ,
                         and
                         are
                         never
                         able
                         to
                         build
                         upon
                         it
                         unto
                         any
                         comfort
                         to
                         themselves
                         ,
                         or
                         usefulness
                         unto
                         others
                         .
                         And
                         the
                         Reason
                         is
                         ,
                         because
                         they
                         will
                         be
                         mixing
                         with
                         the
                         foundation
                         ;
                         stones
                         that
                         are
                         fit
                         only
                         for
                         the
                         following
                         building
                         .
                         They
                         will
                         be
                         bringing
                         their
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         duties
                         ,
                         mortification
                         of
                         sin
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         like
                         ,
                         unto
                         the
                         foundation
                         .
                         These
                         are
                         
                           precious
                           stones
                        
                         to
                         build
                         with
                         ;
                         but
                         unmeet
                         to
                         be
                         first
                         laid
                         to
                         bear
                         upon
                         them
                         the
                         
                           whole
                           weight
                        
                         of
                         the
                         building
                         .
                         The
                         foundation
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         laid
                         ,
                         as
                         was
                         said
                         ,
                         in
                         
                           meer
                           Grace
                        
                         ,
                         Mercy
                         ,
                         Pardon
                         in
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ.
                         This
                         the
                         soul
                         is
                         to
                         accept
                         of
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         rest
                         in
                         meerly
                         as
                         it
                         is
                         Grace
                         ,
                         without
                         the
                         consideration
                         of
                         any
                         thing
                         in
                         its
                         self
                         ,
                         but
                         that
                         it
                         is
                         sinfull
                         and
                         obnoxious
                         unto
                         ruine
                         :
                         This
                         it
                         finds
                         a
                         difficulty
                         in
                         ,
                         and
                         would
                         gladly
                         have
                         something
                         of
                         its
                         own
                         to
                         mix
                         with
                         it
                         :
                         It
                         cannot
                         tell
                         how
                         to
                         fix
                         these
                         foundation
                         stones
                         without
                         some
                         cement
                         of
                         its
                         own
                         endeavours
                         and
                         duty
                         .
                         And
                         because
                         these
                         things
                         will
                         not
                         mix
                         ,
                         they
                         spend
                         a
                         
                           fruitless
                           labour
                        
                         about
                         it
                         all
                         their
                         daies
                         .
                         But
                         if
                         the
                         foundation
                         be
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         of
                         works
                         ;
                         for
                         otherwise
                         grace
                         is
                         no
                         more
                         grace
                         .
                         If
                         any
                         thing
                         of
                         our
                         own
                         be
                         
                           mixed
                           with
                           Grace
                        
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         it
                         utterly
                         destroys
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         Grace
                         ;
                         which
                         if
                         it
                         be
                         not
                         alone
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         .
                         But
                         doth
                         not
                         this
                         tend
                         to
                         licenciousness
                         ?
                         doth
                         not
                         this
                         render
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         Holiness
                         ,
                         Duties
                         ,
                         Mortification
                         of
                         sin
                         ,
                         and
                         good
                         works
                         ,
                         needless
                         ?
                         God
                         forbid
                         ;
                         yea
                         this
                         is
                         the
                         only
                         way
                         to
                         
                           order
                           them
                           aright
                        
                         unto
                         the
                         glory
                         of
                         God.
                         Have
                         we
                         nothing
                         
                         to
                         do
                         but
                         to
                         
                           lay
                           the
                           foundation
                        
                         ?
                         yes
                         ,
                         all
                         our
                         daies
                         we
                         are
                         to
                         build
                         upon
                         it
                         ,
                         when
                         it
                         is
                         surely
                         and
                         firmly
                         laid
                         .
                         And
                         these
                         are
                         the
                         means
                         and
                         waies
                         of
                         our
                         Edification
                         .
                         This
                         then
                         is
                         the
                         soul
                         to
                         do
                         who
                         would
                         come
                         to
                         peace
                         and
                         settlement
                         .
                         Let
                         it
                         let
                         go
                         all
                         former
                         endeavours
                         if
                         it
                         have
                         been
                         engaged
                         unto
                         any
                         of
                         that
                         kind
                         .
                         And
                         let
                         it
                         alone
                         receive
                         ,
                         admit
                         of
                         ,
                         and
                         adhere
                         to
                         
                           meer
                           Grace
                        
                         ,
                         mercy
                         and
                         pardon
                         ,
                         with
                         a
                         full
                         sense
                         that
                         in
                         its
                         self
                         it
                         hath
                         nothing
                         for
                         which
                         it
                         should
                         have
                         an
                         interest
                         in
                         them
                         ,
                         but
                         that
                         all
                         is
                         of
                         
                           meer
                           Grace
                        
                         through
                         Jesus
                         Christ.
                         
                           Other
                           foundation
                           can
                           no
                           man
                           lay
                           .
                        
                         Depart
                         not
                         hence
                         until
                         this
                         work
                         be
                         well
                         over
                         .
                         Surcease
                         not
                         an
                         earnest
                         endeavour
                         with
                         your
                         own
                         hearts
                         to
                         
                           acquiesce
                           in
                           this
                           Righteousness
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         to
                         bring
                         your
                         souls
                         unto
                         a
                         comfortable
                         perswasion
                         that
                         God
                         for
                         
                           Christ
                           his
                           sake
                           hath
                           freely
                           forgiven
                           you
                           all
                           your
                           sins
                           .
                        
                         Stir
                         not
                         hence
                         untill
                         this
                         be
                         effected
                         .
                         If
                         you
                         have
                         been
                         engaged
                         in
                         another
                         way
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         ,
                         to
                         seek
                         for
                         an
                         interest
                         in
                         the
                         pardon
                         of
                         sin
                         by
                         some
                         
                           endeavours
                           of
                           your
                           own
                        
                         ,
                         it
                         is
                         not
                         unlikely
                         but
                         that
                         you
                         are
                         filled
                         with
                         the
                         fruit
                         of
                         your
                         own
                         doings
                         ;
                         that
                         is
                         ,
                         that
                         you
                         go
                         on
                         with
                         all
                         kind
                         of
                         uncertainties
                         ,
                         and
                         without
                         any
                         kind
                         of
                         constant
                         peace
                         .
                         Return
                         then
                         again
                         hither
                         ;
                         bring
                         this
                         
                           foundation
                           work
                        
                         to
                         a
                         blessed
                         issue
                         in
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         when
                         that
                         is
                         done
                         ,
                         up
                         and
                         be
                         doing
                         .
                      
                       
                         You
                         know
                         how
                         fatal
                         and
                         ruinous
                         it
                         is
                         for
                         souls
                         to
                         
                           abuse
                           the
                           Grace
                           of
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         Apprehension
                         of
                         the
                         pardon
                         of
                         sins
                         in
                         the
                         course
                         of
                         their
                         obedience
                         ,
                         to
                         countenance
                         themselves
                         in
                         sin
                         ,
                         or
                         the
                         negligence
                         of
                         any
                         duty
                         ;
                         this
                         is
                         to
                         turn
                         
                           the
                           Grace
                           of
                           God
                           into
                           wantonness
                           ,
                        
                         as
                         we
                         have
                         else
                         where
                         at
                         large
                         declared
                         .
                         And
                         it
                         is
                         no
                         less
                         pernicious
                         to
                         bring
                         the
                         duties
                         of
                         our
                         obedience
                         ,
                         any
                         reserves
                         for
                         them
                         ,
                         any
                         hopes
                         about
                         them
                         ,
                         into
                         the
                         
                           matter
                           of
                           pardon
                           and
                           forgiveness
                        
                         ,
                         as
                         we
                         are
                         to
                         receive
                         them
                         from
                         God.
                         But
                         these
                         things
                         ,
                         as
                         they
                         are
                         distinct
                         in
                         themselves
                         ;
                         so
                         they
                         must
                         be
                         distinctly
                         managed
                         in
                         the
                         soul
                         ;
                         and
                         the
                         confounding
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         is
                         that
                         which
                         disturbs
                         the
                         Peace
                         ,
                         and
                         weakens
                         the
                         Obedience
                         of
                         many
                         .
                         In
                         a
                         confused
                         manner
                         they
                         labour
                         to
                         keep
                         up
                         a
                         life
                         of
                         Grace
                         and
                         Duty
                         ,
                         which
                         will
                         be
                         in
                         their
                         places
                         conjoyned
                         ,
                         but
                         not
                         mixed
                         or
                         compounded
                         .
                      
                       
                         First
                         ,
                         To
                         take
                         up
                         
                           Mercy
                           ,
                           Pardon
                        
                         and
                         Forgiveness
                         absolutely
                         on
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         then
                         to
                         yield
                         
                           all
                           obedience
                        
                         in
                         the
                         strength
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         for
                         the
                         Love
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         is
                         the
                         life
                         of
                         a
                         Believer
                         ,
                         Ephes.
                         2.
                         8
                         ,
                         9
                         ,
                         10.
                         
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         VIII
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Take
                           heed
                           of
                           spending
                           time
                           in
                           complaints
                           ,
                           when
                           vigorous
                           actings
                           of
                           Grace
                           are
                           your
                           Duty
                           .
                        
                         Fruitless
                         and
                         heartless
                         complaints
                         ,
                         bemoanings
                         of
                         themselves
                         and
                         their
                         condition
                         is
                         the
                         substance
                         of
                         the
                         profession
                         that
                         some
                         make
                         .
                         If
                         they
                         can
                         object
                         against
                         themselves
                         ,
                         and
                         form
                         Complaints
                         out
                         of
                         their
                         conditions
                         ,
                         they
                         suppose
                         they
                         have
                         done
                         their
                         duty
                         .
                         I
                         have
                         known
                         some
                         who
                         have
                         spent
                         a
                         good
                         part
                         of
                         their
                         time
                         
                           in
                           going
                           up
                           and
                           down
                           from
                           one
                           to
                           another
                           with
                           their
                           objections
                           and
                           complaints
                           .
                        
                         These
                         things
                         are
                         contrary
                         to
                         the
                         life
                         of
                         Faith.
                         It
                         is
                         good
                         indeed
                         in
                         our
                         spiritual
                         distresses
                         to
                         apply
                         our selves
                         unto
                         them
                         who
                         are
                         furnished
                         with
                         
                           the
                           tongue
                           of
                           the
                           learned
                        
                         ,
                         to
                         know
                         how
                         to
                         speak
                         a
                         word
                         in
                         season
                         unto
                         him
                         that
                         is
                         weary
                         .
                         But
                         for
                         persons
                         to
                         fill
                         their
                         minds
                         and
                         imaginations
                         with
                         their
                         own
                         Objections
                         and
                         Complaints
                         ,
                         not
                         endeavouring
                         to
                         mix
                         the
                         words
                         that
                         are
                         spoken
                         for
                         their
                         relief
                         and
                         direction
                         ,
                         with
                         faith
                         ,
                         but
                         going
                         on
                         still
                         in
                         their
                         own
                         way
                         ,
                         this
                         is
                         of
                         no
                         use
                         or
                         advantage
                         .
                         And
                         yet
                         some
                         ,
                         I
                         fear
                         ,
                         may
                         please
                         themselves
                         in
                         such
                         a
                         course
                         ,
                         as
                         if
                         it
                         had
                         somewhat
                         of
                         Eminency
                         in
                         Religion
                         in
                         it
                         .
                      
                       
                         Others
                         ,
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         ,
                         drive
                         the
                         same
                         trade
                         in
                         their
                         Thoughts
                         ,
                         although
                         they
                         make
                         not
                         outwardly
                         such
                         Complaints
                         .
                         They
                         are
                         conversant
                         for
                         the
                         most
                         part
                         with
                         
                           heartless
                           despondings
                        
                         .
                         And
                         in
                         some
                         they
                         are
                         multiplied
                         by
                         their
                         natural
                         Constitutions
                         or
                         Distempers
                         .
                         Examples
                         of
                         this
                         kind
                         occur
                         unto
                         us
                         every
                         day
                         .
                         Now
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         Advantage
                         of
                         these
                         things
                         ?
                         what
                         did
                         Sion
                         get
                         when
                         she
                         cried
                         ,
                         
                           The
                           Lord
                           hath
                           forsaken
                           me
                           ,
                           and
                           my
                           God
                           hath
                           forgotten
                           me
                           ?
                        
                         or
                         Jacob
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         said
                         ,
                         
                           My
                           way
                           is
                           hid
                           from
                           the
                           Lord
                           ,
                           and
                           my
                           Judgement
                           is
                           passed
                           over
                           from
                           my
                           God
                           ?
                        
                         Doubtless
                         they
                         did
                         but
                         prejudice
                         themselves
                         .
                         How
                         doth
                         David
                         rouse
                         up
                         himself
                         when
                         he
                         found
                         his
                         mind
                         inclinable
                         unto
                         such
                         a
                         frame
                         ?
                         For
                         having
                         said
                         ,
                         
                           Why
                           dost
                           thou
                           cast
                           me
                           off
                           O
                           God
                           ?
                           why
                           go
                           I
                           mourning
                           because
                           of
                           the
                           oppression
                           of
                           mine
                           enemy
                           ?
                        
                         He
                         quickly
                         rebukes
                         and
                         recollects
                         himself
                         ,
                         saying
                         ,
                         
                           Why
                           art
                           thou
                           cast
                           down
                           O
                           my
                           Soul
                           ,
                           and
                           why
                           art
                           thou
                           disquieted
                           within
                           me
                           ?
                           hope
                           in
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         Psal.
                         4.
                         2
                         ,
                         5.
                         
                      
                       
                         We
                         must
                         say
                         then
                         unto
                         such
                         heartless
                         Complainers
                         ,
                         as
                         God
                         did
                         to
                         
                           Joshuah
                           ,
                           Get
                           you
                           up
                           ,
                           why
                           lye
                           you
                           thus
                           upon
                           your
                           faces
                           ?
                        
                         
                         Do
                         you
                         think
                         to
                         mend
                         your
                         condition
                         by
                         wishing
                         it
                         better
                         ,
                         or
                         complaining
                         it
                         is
                         so
                         bad
                         ?
                         are
                         your
                         complaints
                         of
                         want
                         of
                         an
                         Interest
                         in
                         forgiveness
                         ,
                         a
                         sanctified
                         means
                         to
                         obtain
                         it
                         ?
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         !
                         you
                         will
                         not
                         deal
                         so
                         with
                         your selves
                         in
                         things
                         natural
                         or
                         civil
                         .
                         In
                         such
                         things
                         you
                         will
                         take
                         an
                         industrious
                         course
                         for
                         a
                         remedy
                         ,
                         or
                         for
                         relief
                         .
                         In
                         things
                         of
                         the
                         smallest
                         importance
                         in
                         this
                         world
                         ,
                         and
                         unto
                         this
                         life
                         ,
                         you
                         will
                         not
                         content
                         your selves
                         with
                         wishing
                         and
                         complaining
                         .
                         As
                         though
                         industry
                         in
                         the
                         use
                         of
                         
                           natural
                           means
                        
                         for
                         the
                         attaining
                         of
                         
                           natural
                           Ends
                        
                         ,
                         were
                         the
                         Ordinance
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         diligence
                         in
                         the
                         use
                         of
                         
                           spiritual
                           means
                        
                         for
                         the
                         obtaining
                         of
                         
                           spiritual
                           Ends
                        
                         were
                         not
                         .
                      
                       
                         Do
                         not
                         consult
                         your
                         own
                         hearts
                         only
                         .
                         What
                         is
                         it
                         that
                         the
                         Scripture
                         calls
                         for
                         in
                         your
                         condition
                         ?
                         Is
                         it
                         not
                         Industry
                         and
                         Activity
                         of
                         spirit
                         ?
                         And
                         what
                         doth
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         the
                         thing
                         require
                         :
                         distress
                         that
                         is
                         yet
                         hoped
                         to
                         be
                         conquered
                         ,
                         evidently
                         calls
                         for
                         Industry
                         and
                         diligence
                         in
                         the
                         use
                         of
                         means
                         for
                         deliverance
                         .
                         If
                         you
                         are
                         past
                         hope
                         ,
                         it
                         avails
                         not
                         to
                         complain
                         .
                         If
                         you
                         are
                         not
                         ,
                         why
                         do
                         you
                         give
                         up
                         your selves
                         to
                         despondencies
                         ?
                         Our
                         Saviour
                         tells
                         us
                         ,
                         that
                         the
                         
                           Kingdom
                           of
                           Heaven
                           suffereth
                           violence
                           ,
                           and
                           the
                           violent
                           take
                           it
                           by
                           force
                           ,
                        
                         Mat.
                         11.
                         12.
                         
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         of
                         the
                         
                           outward
                           violence
                        
                         of
                         its
                         Enemies
                         seeking
                         to
                         destroy
                         it
                         ,
                         that
                         our
                         Saviour
                         speaks
                         ,
                         but
                         of
                         that
                         spiritual
                         servency
                         and
                         ardency
                         of
                         mind
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         in
                         those
                         who
                         intend
                         to
                         be
                         partakers
                         of
                         it
                         :
                         For
                         
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                        
                         ,
                         
                           is
                           taken
                           by
                           force
                        
                         ,
                         Luke
                         16.
                         16.
                         is
                         no
                         more
                         but
                         
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                           〈◊〉
                        
                         is
                         preached
                         ,
                         the
                         Kingdom
                         of
                         God
                         is
                         preached
                         ,
                         and
                         every
                         man
                         presseth
                         into
                         it
                         ;
                         pressing
                         into
                         it
                         ,
                         and
                         
                           taking
                           it
                           by
                           force
                        
                         ,
                         are
                         the
                         same
                         thing
                         .
                         There
                         is
                         then
                         a
                         violence
                         ,
                         a
                         restless
                         activity
                         and
                         vigour
                         of
                         spirit
                         to
                         be
                         used
                         and
                         exercised
                         for
                         an
                         interest
                         in
                         this
                         Kingdom
                         .
                         Apply
                         this
                         to
                         your
                         condition
                         .
                         Are
                         you
                         in
                         depths
                         and
                         doubts
                         ,
                         staggering
                         and
                         uncertain
                         ,
                         not
                         knowing
                         what
                         is
                         your
                         condition
                         ,
                         nor
                         whether
                         you
                         have
                         any
                         interest
                         in
                         the
                         forgiveness
                         that
                         is
                         with
                         God
                         ?
                         Are
                         you
                         tossed
                         up
                         and
                         down
                         
                           between
                           hopes
                           and
                           fears
                        
                         ,
                         want
                         peace
                         ,
                         consolation
                         and
                         establishment
                         ?
                         why
                         lye
                         you
                         upon
                         your
                         faces
                         ?
                         get
                         up
                         ,
                         watch
                         ,
                         pray
                         ,
                         fast
                         ,
                         meditate
                         ,
                         offer
                         violence
                         to
                         your
                         lusts
                         and
                         corruptions
                         ;
                         fear
                         not
                         ,
                         startle
                         not
                         at
                         their
                         crying
                         or
                         importunities
                         to
                         be
                         spared
                         ;
                         press
                         unto
                         the
                         Throne
                         of
                         Grace
                         by
                         Prayers
                         ,
                         Supplications
                         ,
                         Importunities
                         ,
                         restless
                         Requests
                         :
                         This
                         
                         is
                         the
                         way
                         to
                         take
                         the
                         Kingdom
                         of
                         Heaven
                         .
                         These
                         things
                         are
                         
                           not
                           Peace
                        
                         ,
                         they
                         are
                         not
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         but
                         they
                         are
                         part
                         of
                         the
                         
                           means
                           that
                           God
                           hath
                           appointed
                        
                         for
                         the
                         attainment
                         of
                         them
                         .
                      
                       
                         What
                         then
                         is
                         the
                         peculiar
                         Instruction
                         that
                         is
                         proper
                         for
                         souls
                         in
                         this
                         condition
                         ?
                         that
                         plainly
                         of
                         the
                         Apostle
                         ,
                         2
                         Pet.
                         1.
                         10.
                         
                         
                           Give
                           all
                           diligence
                           to
                           make
                           your
                           Calling
                           and
                           Election
                           sure
                           .
                        
                         Alas
                         !
                         saith
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         I
                         am
                         at
                         no
                         certainty
                         ,
                         but
                         rather
                         am
                         afflicted
                         and
                         tossed
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         comforted
                         ;
                         my
                         heart
                         will
                         come
                         to
                         no
                         stability
                         ;
                         I
                         have
                         no
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         know
                         not
                         whether
                         I
                         am
                         chosen
                         or
                         called
                         ;
                         yea
                         fear
                         that
                         my
                         latter
                         end
                         will
                         be
                         darkness
                         and
                         sorrow
                         .
                         There
                         is
                         I
                         confess
                         
                           forgiveness
                           with
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         but
                         justly
                         fear
                         that
                         I
                         shall
                         never
                         be
                         made
                         partaker
                         of
                         it
                         .
                         What
                         is
                         the
                         usual
                         course
                         that
                         is
                         taken
                         in
                         such
                         complaints
                         by
                         them
                         to
                         whom
                         they
                         are
                         made
                         ?
                         Mostly
                         they
                         have
                         a
                         
                           good
                           opinion
                        
                         of
                         them
                         that
                         come
                         with
                         these
                         complaints
                         :
                         They
                         judge
                         them
                         to
                         be
                         godly
                         and
                         holy
                         ,
                         though
                         much
                         in
                         the
                         dark
                         ;
                         if
                         they
                         knew
                         them
                         not
                         before
                         ,
                         yet
                         upon
                         these
                         complaints
                         they
                         begin
                         to
                         be
                         
                           well
                           perswaded
                        
                         of
                         them
                         .
                         Hereupon
                         they
                         are
                         moved
                         with
                         
                           pitty
                           and
                           compassion
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         troubled
                         to
                         see
                         them
                         in
                         their
                         perplexities
                         ;
                         and
                         set
                         themselves
                         to
                         
                           tender
                           relief
                        
                         unto
                         them
                         :
                         They
                         mind
                         them
                         of
                         the
                         
                           gracious
                           promises
                        
                         of
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ;
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         fix
                         upon
                         some
                         one
                         or
                         more
                         of
                         them
                         in
                         particular
                         ,
                         which
                         they
                         explain
                         unto
                         them
                         :
                         Thence
                         they
                         minde
                         them
                         of
                         the
                         abundant
                         Grace
                         and
                         
                           tender
                           Love
                        
                         of
                         the
                         Father
                         ,
                         of
                         the
                         mercifull
                         care
                         of
                         our
                         
                           High
                           Priest
                        
                         ,
                         his
                         readiness
                         and
                         ability
                         to
                         save
                         ,
                         his
                         communications
                         of
                         such
                         savours
                         unto
                         them
                         as
                         they
                         perceive
                         not
                         .
                         By
                         such
                         waies
                         and
                         means
                         ,
                         by
                         such
                         Applications
                         do
                         they
                         seek
                         to
                         relieve
                         them
                         in
                         the
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         wherein
                         they
                         are
                         .
                         But
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         issue
                         ?
                         Doth
                         not
                         this
                         Relief
                         prove
                         for
                         the
                         most
                         part
                         like
                         the
                         
                           morning
                           cloud
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         as
                         the
                         early
                         dew
                         ;
                         a
                         little
                         refreshment
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         it
                         yields
                         for
                         a
                         season
                         ,
                         but
                         it
                         is
                         quickly
                         again
                         dryed
                         up
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         soul
                         left
                         in
                         its
                         heartless
                         withering
                         condition
                         .
                      
                       
                         You
                         will
                         say
                         then
                         ,
                         do
                         you
                         condemn
                         this
                         manner
                         of
                         proceeding
                         with
                         the
                         souls
                         of
                         men
                         in
                         their
                         doubts
                         ,
                         fears
                         and
                         distresses
                         ?
                         or
                         would
                         you
                         have
                         them
                         
                           pine
                           away
                        
                         under
                         the
                         sense
                         of
                         their
                         condition
                         ,
                         or
                         abide
                         in
                         this
                         uncertainty
                         all
                         their
                         daies
                         ?
                         I
                         answer
                         ,
                         no
                         ;
                         I
                         condemn
                         not
                         the
                         way
                         ,
                         I
                         would
                         not
                         have
                         any
                         left
                         comfortless
                         in
                         their
                         depths
                         .
                         But
                         yet
                         I
                         would
                         give
                         these
                         two
                         Cautions
                         ;
                      
                       
                       
                         1.
                         
                         That
                         
                           Spiritual
                           Wisdom
                        
                         and
                         prudence
                         is
                         greatly
                         required
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         in
                         the
                         Administration
                         of
                         consolation
                         to
                         distressed
                         souls
                         .
                         If
                         in
                         any
                         thing
                         ,
                         the
                         tongue
                         of
                         the
                         
                           spiritually
                           learned
                        
                         is
                         required
                         herein
                         ;
                         namely
                         in
                         speaking
                         a
                         
                           word
                           in
                           season
                           to
                           them
                           that
                           are
                           weary
                           .
                        
                         A
                         promiscuous
                         drawing
                         out
                         of
                         
                           Gospel
                           consolations
                        
                         ,
                         without
                         a
                         previous
                         right
                         Judgement
                         concerning
                         the
                         true
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         of
                         the
                         souls
                         applyed
                         unto
                         ,
                         is
                         seldome
                         useful
                         ,
                         oft
                         times
                         pernicious
                         .
                         And
                         let
                         men
                         take
                         care
                         ,
                         how
                         they
                         commit
                         their
                         souls
                         and
                         consciences
                         unto
                         such
                         who
                         have
                         
                           good
                           words
                        
                         in
                         readiness
                         ,
                         for
                         all
                         comers
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         If
                         Counsel
                         and
                         Consolation
                         of
                         this
                         kind
                         be
                         given
                         ;
                         special
                         and
                         distinct
                         from
                         the
                         Advice
                         we
                         are
                         upon
                         of
                         Watchfulness
                         ,
                         Diligence
                         ,
                         Spiritual
                         Violence
                         in
                         a
                         way
                         of
                         duty
                         ;
                         it
                         is
                         exceeding
                         dangerous
                         ,
                         and
                         will
                         assuredly
                         prove
                         useless
                         .
                         For
                         let
                         us
                         see
                         what
                         counsel
                         the
                         holy
                         Ghost
                         gives
                         in
                         this
                         condition
                         unto
                         them
                         who
                         would
                         make
                         their
                         
                           Calling
                           and
                           Election
                           sure
                        
                         ,
                         who
                         would
                         be
                         freed
                         from
                         their
                         present
                         fears
                         and
                         uncertainties
                         ,
                         who
                         complain
                         of
                         their
                         darkness
                         and
                         dangers
                         ;
                         why
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         
                           giving
                           all
                           diligence
                           add
                           to
                           your
                           faith
                           vertue
                        
                         ;
                         and
                         so
                         on
                         ,
                         v.
                         5.
                         for
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         
                           If
                           you
                           do
                           these
                           things
                           ,
                           an
                           entrance
                           shall
                           be
                           Administred
                           unto
                           you
                           abundantly
                           into
                           the
                           Everlasting
                           Kingdom
                           of
                           our
                           Lord
                           and
                           Saviour
                           Jesus
                           Christ
                           ,
                        
                         v.
                         11.
                         
                         You
                         who
                         are
                         now
                         in
                         the
                         Skyrts
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         who
                         know
                         not
                         whether
                         you
                         belong
                         unto
                         it
                         or
                         no
                         ,
                         you
                         shall
                         have
                         an
                         Entrance
                         into
                         the
                         Kingdom
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         all
                         the
                         Joy
                         ,
                         comforts
                         ,
                         consolations
                         and
                         Glory
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         shall
                         be
                         richly
                         administred
                         unto
                         you
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         the
                         advice
                         that
                         the
                         Holy
                         Ghost
                         gives
                         in
                         this
                         case
                         ;
                         And
                         this
                         is
                         the
                         blessed
                         promise
                         annexed
                         unto
                         the
                         following
                         of
                         this
                         advice
                         .
                         And
                         this
                         the
                         former
                         compassionate
                         course
                         of
                         
                           Administring
                           consolation
                        
                         ,
                         is
                         not
                         to
                         be
                         separated
                         from
                         .
                      
                       
                         But
                         you
                         will
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         here
                         say
                         ,
                         
                           we
                           are
                           so
                           dead
                           and
                           dull
                           ,
                           so
                           chained
                           under
                           the
                           power
                           of
                           corruptions
                           ,
                           and
                           temptations
                           ,
                           that
                           we
                           are
                           not
                           able
                           thus
                           to
                           put
                           forth
                           the
                           fruit
                           of
                           a
                           spiritual
                           life
                           in
                           adding
                           one
                           Grace
                           unto
                           another
                           .
                        
                         But
                         do
                         you
                         use
                         diligence
                         ,
                         Study
                         ,
                         Endeavours
                         ,
                         
                           all
                           diligence
                        
                         ,
                         diligence
                         at
                         all
                         times
                         ,
                         in
                         all
                         wayes
                         by
                         God
                         appointed
                         ,
                         all
                         
                           manner
                           of
                           diligence
                        
                         within
                         and
                         without
                         ,
                         in
                         private
                         and
                         publick
                         to
                         this
                         end
                         and
                         purpose
                         ?
                         do
                         you
                         study
                         ,
                         meditate
                         ,
                         pray
                         ,
                         watch
                         ,
                         fast
                         ,
                         neglect
                         no
                         opportunity
                         ,
                         keep
                         your
                         hearts
                         ,
                         search
                         ,
                         try
                         ,
                         examine
                         your selves
                         ,
                         fly
                         Temptations
                         ,
                         and
                         
                         occasions
                         of
                         cooling
                         ,
                         deadning
                         ,
                         and
                         stifling
                         Grace
                         ?
                         Do
                         these
                         things
                         
                           abound
                           in
                           you
                        
                         ?
                         
                           Alass
                           you
                           cannot
                           do
                           thus
                           ,
                           you
                           are
                           so
                           weak
                           ,
                           so
                           indisposed
                        
                         ;
                         but
                         alas
                         
                           you
                           will
                           not
                        
                         ,
                         you
                         will
                         not
                         part
                         with
                         your
                         ease
                         ,
                         you
                         will
                         not
                         
                           Crucifie
                           your
                           lusts
                        
                         ,
                         you
                         will
                         not
                         ufe
                         
                           all
                           diligence
                        
                         ;
                         but
                         must
                         come
                         to
                         it
                         ,
                         or
                         be
                         contented
                         to
                         spend
                         all
                         your
                         dayes
                         in
                         darkness
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         lye
                         down
                         in
                         sorrow
                         .
                      
                       
                         Thus
                         do
                         men
                         frequently
                         miscarry
                         ;
                         Is
                         it
                         any
                         news
                         for
                         persons
                         to
                         bewail
                         the
                         folly
                         of
                         their
                         nature
                         and
                         wayes
                         in
                         the
                         Morning
                         and
                         Evening
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         scarce
                         
                           stand
                           upon
                           their
                           watch
                           any
                           part
                           of
                           the
                           day
                           ,
                        
                         or
                         in
                         any
                         occasion
                         of
                         the
                         day
                         ?
                         Is
                         this
                         giving
                         
                           all
                           diligence
                        
                         ?
                         Is
                         this
                         working
                         out
                         our
                         Salvation
                         
                           with
                           fear
                           and
                           trembling
                        
                         ?
                         And
                         may
                         we
                         not
                         see
                         Professors
                         ,
                         even
                         
                           indulging
                           to
                           themselves
                        
                         in
                         wayes
                         of
                         Vanity
                         ,
                         folly
                         ,
                         wrath
                         ,
                         envy
                         ,
                         sloth
                         and
                         the
                         like
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         complain
                         at
                         what
                         a
                         loss
                         they
                         are
                         ,
                         how
                         unquiet
                         ,
                         how
                         uncertain
                         .
                         God
                         forbid
                         it
                         should
                         be
                         otherwise
                         with
                         you
                         ;
                         or
                         that
                         we
                         should
                         endeavour
                         to
                         speak
                         peace
                         unto
                         you
                         in
                         any
                         such
                         a
                         frame
                         .
                         To
                         hear
                         of
                         a
                         person
                         ,
                         that
                         he
                         walks
                         slothfully
                         ,
                         carelesly
                         ,
                         or
                         indulgeth
                         his
                         corruptions
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         find
                         him
                         complaining
                         that
                         he
                         is
                         at
                         loss
                         whether
                         he
                         have
                         any
                         interest
                         in
                         Pardon
                         or
                         noe
                         ,
                         to
                         give
                         or
                         tender
                         Comfort
                         to
                         such
                         mourners
                         without
                         a
                         due
                         Admonition
                         of
                         their
                         duty
                         to
                         
                           use
                           diligence
                        
                         in
                         the
                         use
                         of
                         means
                         ,
                         for
                         to
                         help
                         on
                         their
                         delivery
                         out
                         of
                         the
                         condition
                         wherein
                         they
                         are
                         ,
                         is
                         to
                         tender
                         poison
                         unto
                         them
                         .
                      
                       
                         To
                         this
                         then
                         the
                         soul
                         must
                         come
                         that
                         is
                         in
                         depths
                         ,
                         if
                         it
                         intend
                         to
                         be
                         delivered
                         .
                         
                           Heartless
                           complaints
                        
                         ,
                         with
                         excuses
                         to
                         keep
                         it
                         from
                         
                           vigorous
                           spiritual
                           diligence
                        
                         must
                         be
                         laid
                         aside
                         ;
                         if
                         not
                         ,
                         ordinarily
                         ,
                         
                           Peace
                           ,
                           Rest
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         stability
                         will
                         not
                         be
                         obtained
                         .
                         A
                         great
                         Example
                         hereof
                         we
                         have
                         in
                         the
                         Spouse
                         ,
                         Cant.
                         5.
                         2
                         ,
                         3
                         ,
                         4
                         ,
                         5
                         ,
                         6
                         ,
                         7
                         ,
                         8.
                         
                         She
                         is
                         drousie
                         and
                         indisposed
                         unto
                         communion
                         with
                         Christ
                         ,
                         whereunto
                         she
                         is
                         invited
                         ,
                         v.
                         2.
                         this
                         puts
                         her
                         upon
                         making
                         excuses
                         from
                         the
                         unfitness
                         of
                         the
                         time
                         ,
                         and
                         her
                         present
                         indisposition
                         and
                         unpreparedness
                         as
                         to
                         the
                         duty
                         whereunto
                         she
                         was
                         called
                         ,
                         v.
                         3.
                         
                         Hereupon
                         
                           Christ
                           withdraws
                        
                         his
                         presence
                         from
                         her
                         ,
                         and
                         leaves
                         her
                         at
                         a
                         loss
                         as
                         to
                         her
                         former
                         comforts
                         ,
                         v.
                         6.
                         what
                         course
                         doth
                         she
                         now
                         take
                         ;
                         doth
                         she
                         now
                         
                           lye
                           down
                           again
                        
                         in
                         her
                         former
                         Slumber
                         ?
                         doth
                         she
                         make
                         use
                         of
                         her
                         former
                         excuses
                         and
                         pretences
                         ,
                         why
                         she
                         could
                         not
                         engage
                         into
                         the
                         duties
                         she
                         was
                         called
                         unto
                         ?
                         no
                         such
                         thing
                         !
                         but
                         now
                         
                         with
                         all
                         Earnestness
                         ,
                         Diligence
                         ,
                         Sedulity
                         and
                         Importunity
                         ,
                         She
                         engageth
                         in
                         all
                         manner
                         of
                         duties
                         ,
                         whereby
                         she
                         may
                         recover
                         her
                         former
                         Comforts
                         ,
                         as
                         you
                         may
                         see
                         in
                         the
                         Text.
                         And
                         this
                         must
                         be
                         the
                         course
                         of
                         others
                         ,
                         who
                         would
                         obtain
                         the
                         same
                         success
                         .
                         Spiritual
                         peace
                         and
                         sloth
                         will
                         never
                         dwell
                         together
                         in
                         the
                         same
                         soul
                         and
                         Conscience
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         IX
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                           The
                           ninth
                           Rule
                           .
                           Take
                           heed
                           of
                           undue
                           expressions
                           concerning
                           God
                           and
                           his
                           wayes
                           in
                           distress
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           Take
                           heed
                           in
                           doubts
                           ,
                           distresses
                           ,
                           and
                           perplexities
                           of
                           hard
                           thoughts
                           of
                           God
                           ;
                           hasty
                           unweighed
                           expressions
                           concerning
                           him
                           or
                           his
                           wayes
                           ,
                           with
                           or
                           of
                           secret
                           resolves
                           ,
                           that
                           it
                           were
                           as
                           good
                           give
                           over
                           waiting
                           as
                           continue
                           in
                           the
                           state
                           wherein
                           you
                           are
                           ,
                           seeing
                           your
                           Condition
                           is
                           remediless
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         On
                         
                           three
                           occasions
                        
                         are
                         such
                         thoughts
                         and
                         resolves
                         apt
                         to
                         befall
                         the
                         minds
                         of
                         men
                         ,
                         which
                         sometimes
                         break
                         forth
                         into
                         
                           unwarrantable
                           Expressions
                        
                         concerning
                         God
                         himself
                         and
                         his
                         wayes
                         .
                         
                           
                             1.
                             
                             In
                             
                               deep
                               perplexities
                            
                             of
                             mind
                             ,
                             by
                             reason
                             of
                             some
                             pressing
                             terrour
                             from
                             the
                             Lord.
                             
                          
                           
                             2.
                             
                             On
                             the
                             
                               long
                               wearisome
                               continuance
                            
                             of
                             some
                             tempting
                             distress
                             ,
                             and
                             hereof
                             we
                             have
                             many
                             examples
                             ,
                             some
                             whereof
                             shall
                             be
                             mentioned
                             .
                          
                           
                             3.
                             
                             In
                             
                               spiritual
                               disappointments
                            
                             through
                             the
                             strength
                             of
                             Lust
                             or
                             Temptation
                             .
                          
                        
                      
                       
                         When
                         a
                         person
                         hath
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         recovered
                         himself
                         through
                         Grace
                         ,
                         from
                         a
                         perplexing
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         guilt
                         of
                         some
                         sin
                         ,
                         or
                         it
                         may
                         be
                         from
                         a
                         course
                         shorter
                         or
                         longer
                         ,
                         lesser
                         or
                         greater
                         of
                         
                           back
                           sliding
                        
                         and
                         negligent
                         walking
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         therein
                         goes
                         on
                         cheerfully
                         for
                         a
                         season
                         in
                         the
                         course
                         of
                         his
                         Obedience
                         ,
                         if
                         this
                         person
                         through
                         the
                         power
                         of
                         Temptation
                         Subtilty
                         of
                         Lusts
                         ,
                         neglect
                         of
                         watchfulness
                         ,
                         by
                         one
                         means
                         or
                         other
                         ,
                         is
                         surprised
                         in
                         the
                         sins
                         ,
                         or
                         wayes
                         that
                         he
                         had
                         relinquished
                         ,
                         or
                         is
                         turned
                         aside
                         from
                         the
                         vigour
                         of
                         that
                         course
                         wherein
                         he
                         was
                         engaged
                         ,
                         he
                         may
                         be
                         exposed
                         not
                         only
                         to
                         great
                         despondencies
                         ,
                         but
                         also
                         be
                         overtaken
                         with
                         
                           secret
                           resolves
                        
                         to
                         give
                         over
                         contending
                         ,
                         seeing
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         
                           no
                           more
                           purpose
                        
                         ,
                         nay
                         to
                         
                           no
                           purpose
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         that
                         God
                         regards
                         him
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         .
                      
                       
                       
                         Take
                         an
                         Instance
                         or
                         two
                         in
                         each
                         kind
                         .
                      
                       
                         The
                         first
                         we
                         have
                         in
                         Job
                         in
                         the
                         Extremity
                         of
                         his
                         tryals
                         and
                         terrours
                         from
                         the
                         Lord.
                         See
                         among
                         other
                         places
                         ,
                         chap.
                         10.
                         v.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           Is
                           it
                        
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         to
                         God
                         ,
                         
                           Good
                           for
                           thee
                           that
                           shouldst
                           oppress
                           ,
                           that
                           thou
                           shouldst
                           despise
                           the
                           work
                           of
                           thy
                           hands
                           ?
                        
                         Ah
                         poor
                         worms
                         ,
                         with
                         whom
                         have
                         we
                         to
                         do
                         ?
                         who
                         shall
                         say
                         unto
                         a
                         
                           King
                           thou
                           art
                           wicked
                           ,
                           and
                           to
                           Princes
                           ye
                           are
                           ungodly
                        
                         ;
                         and
                         will
                         ye
                         speak
                         so
                         to
                         him
                         ,
                         who
                         respecteth
                         not
                         the
                         
                           persons
                           of
                           Princes
                        
                         ,
                         nor
                         regardeth
                         them
                         more
                         than
                         the
                         poorest
                         in
                         the
                         Earth
                         ?
                         And
                         see
                         what
                         conclusions
                         from
                         such
                         thoughts
                         as
                         these
                         he
                         doth
                         inferr
                         .
                         Chap.
                         14.
                         15
                         ,
                         16
                         ,
                         17.
                         
                         
                           Thou
                           numbrest
                           my
                           steps
                           ,
                           dost
                           thou
                           not
                           watch
                           over
                           my
                           sin
                           ?
                           my
                           transgression
                           is
                           sealed
                           up
                           in
                           a
                           bag
                           ,
                           and
                           thou
                           sowest
                           up
                           my
                           Iniquity
                           .
                        
                         He
                         chargeth
                         God
                         to
                         be
                         his
                         Enemy
                         ,
                         one
                         that
                         watched
                         for
                         all
                         opportunities
                         and
                         advantages
                         against
                         him
                         ,
                         that
                         seemed
                         to
                         be
                         glad
                         at
                         his
                         halting
                         ,
                         and
                         take
                         care
                         that
                         none
                         of
                         his
                         sins
                         should
                         
                           be
                           missing
                        
                         when
                         he
                         intended
                         to
                         deal
                         with
                         him
                         .
                         Had
                         this
                         indeed
                         been
                         
                           the
                           Case
                        
                         with
                         him
                         ,
                         he
                         had
                         perished
                         unto
                         Eternity
                         ,
                         as
                         elsewhere
                         he
                         acknowledged
                         .
                      
                       
                         Of
                         the
                         other
                         ,
                         we
                         have
                         an
                         Instance
                         in
                         the
                         Church
                         ,
                         Lament
                         .
                         3.
                         18.
                         
                         
                           I
                           said
                           my
                           strength
                           aad
                           my
                           hope
                           is
                           perished
                           from
                           the
                           Lord.
                           Present
                           Grace
                        
                         in
                         spiritual
                         strength
                         ,
                         and
                         
                           future
                           expectation
                        
                         of
                         mercy
                         are
                         all
                         gone
                         .
                         And
                         what
                         is
                         got
                         by
                         this
                         ?
                         secret
                         hard
                         thoughts
                         of
                         God
                         himself
                         are
                         hereby
                         ingenerated
                         ;
                         as
                         v.
                         8.
                         
                         
                           When
                           I
                           cry
                           and
                           shout
                           ,
                           he
                           shutteth
                           out
                           my
                           Prayers
                           ,
                        
                         v.
                         44.
                         
                           thou
                           hast
                           covered
                           thy self
                           with
                           a
                           Cloud
                           that
                           our
                           Prayers
                           should
                           not
                           pass
                           through
                           .
                        
                         These
                         things
                         are
                         grievous
                         unto
                         God
                         to
                         bear
                         ,
                         and
                         no
                         way
                         useful
                         to
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         its
                         Condition
                         .
                         Yea
                         they
                         more
                         and
                         more
                         unfit●●
                         for
                         every
                         duty
                         that
                         may
                         lye
                         in
                         a
                         tendency
                         to
                         its
                         relief
                         &
                         deliverance
                         .
                      
                       
                         So
                         was
                         it
                         with
                         Jonah
                         Chap.
                         2.
                         4.
                         
                         
                           I
                           said
                           I
                           am
                           cast
                           out
                           of
                           thy
                           sight
                        
                         ;
                         all
                         is
                         lost
                         and
                         gone
                         with
                         me
                         ,
                         as
                         
                           good
                           give
                           over
                        
                         as
                         Contend
                         ,
                         I
                         do
                         but
                         labour
                         in
                         vain
                         ;
                         perish
                         I
                         must
                         as
                         one
                         cast
                         out
                         of
                         the
                         sight
                         of
                         God.
                         The
                         like
                         complaints
                         fell
                         also
                         from
                         Heman
                         in
                         his
                         distress
                         ,
                         Psal.
                         88.
                         
                      
                       
                         The
                         General
                         who
                         heard
                         one
                         of
                         his
                         Souldiers
                         cry
                         out
                         upon
                         a
                         fresh
                         onset
                         of
                         the
                         Enemy
                         ,
                         
                           Now
                           we
                           are
                           undone
                           ,
                           Now
                           we
                           are
                           ruined
                           ,
                        
                         call'd
                         him
                         Traytor
                         and
                         told
                         him
                         it
                         was
                         not
                         so
                         ,
                         whilest
                         
                           he
                           could
                           weild
                           his
                           Sword.
                        
                         It
                         is
                         not
                         for
                         every
                         
                           private
                           Souldier
                        
                         on
                         every
                         danger
                         ,
                         to
                         make
                         a
                         Judgement
                         of
                         the
                         battel
                         .
                         That
                         is
                         the
                         
                         work
                         of
                         the
                         General
                         .
                         Jesus
                         Christ
                         is
                         the
                         
                           Captain
                           of
                           our
                           Salvation
                        
                         ,
                         he
                         hath
                         undertaken
                         the
                         leading
                         and
                         conduct
                         of
                         our
                         souls
                         through
                         all
                         our
                         difficulties
                         .
                         Our
                         Duty
                         is
                         to
                         fight
                         and
                         contend
                         ;
                         his
                         Work
                         is
                         to
                         take
                         care
                         of
                         the
                         Event
                         ;
                         and
                         to
                         him
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         committed
                         .
                      
                       
                         That
                         then
                         you
                         make
                         a
                         due
                         use
                         of
                         this
                         Rule
                         ,
                         keep
                         alwaies
                         in
                         your
                         minds
                         these
                         two
                         Considerations
                         .
                      
                       
                         
                         1.
                         
                         
                           That
                           it
                           is
                           not
                           for
                           you
                           to
                           take
                           the
                           Judgement
                           of
                           Christ
                           out
                           of
                           his
                           hand
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         to
                         be
                         passing
                         sentence
                         upon
                         your
                         own
                         souls
                         .
                         Judgement
                         as
                         to
                         the
                         
                           state
                           and
                           condition
                        
                         of
                         men
                         is
                         committed
                         unto
                         Christ
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         him
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         left
                         .
                         This
                         we
                         were
                         directed
                         unto
                         into
                         our
                         
                           first
                           Rule
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         it
                         is
                         of
                         special
                         use
                         in
                         the
                         case
                         under
                         consideration
                         .
                         Self-judging
                         in
                         reference
                         unto
                         sin
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         demerit
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         is
                         our
                         duty
                         .
                         The
                         judging
                         of
                         our
                         state
                         and
                         condition
                         in
                         Relation
                         unto
                         the
                         Remedy
                         provided
                         ,
                         is
                         the
                         Office
                         and
                         Work
                         of
                         Jesus
                         Christ
                         ,
                         with
                         whom
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         left
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         Consider
                         ,
                         that
                         
                           hard
                           thoughts
                           of
                           what
                           God
                           will
                           do
                           with
                           you
                           ,
                           and
                           harsh
                           desponding
                           sentences
                           pronounced
                           against
                           your selves
                           ,
                           will
                           unsensibly
                           alienate
                           your
                           hearts
                           from
                           God.
                        
                         It
                         may
                         be
                         when
                         mens
                         perplexities
                         are
                         at
                         the
                         height
                         ,
                         and
                         the
                         most
                         sad
                         Expressions
                         are
                         as
                         it
                         were
                         wrested
                         from
                         them
                         ,
                         they
                         yet
                         think
                         they
                         must
                         
                           Justifie
                           God
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         that
                         they
                         do
                         so
                         accordingly
                         .
                         But
                         yet
                         such
                         thoughts
                         as
                         those
                         mentioned
                         ,
                         are
                         very
                         apt
                         to
                         infect
                         the
                         mind
                         with
                         other
                         inclinations
                         .
                         For
                         after
                         a
                         while
                         they
                         will
                         prevail
                         with
                         the
                         soul
                         to
                         look
                         on
                         God
                         as
                         
                           an
                           Enemy
                        
                         ,
                         as
                         one
                         that
                         hath
                         no
                         delight
                         in
                         it
                         ;
                         and
                         what
                         will
                         be
                         the
                         consequent
                         thereof
                         is
                         easily
                         discernable
                         .
                         None
                         will
                         continue
                         to
                         love
                         long
                         ,
                         where
                         they
                         expect
                         no
                         returns
                         .
                         Suffer
                         not
                         then
                         
                           your
                           minds
                        
                         to
                         be
                         tainted
                         with
                         such
                         thoughts
                         ;
                         and
                         let
                         not
                         God
                         be
                         dishonoured
                         by
                         any
                         such
                         expressions
                         as
                         reflect
                         on
                         that
                         infinite
                         Grace
                         and
                         compassion
                         which
                         he
                         is
                         exercising
                         towards
                         you
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         X.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           The
                           Tenth
                           Rule
                           .
                           Duly
                           improve
                           the
                           least
                           Appearances
                           of
                           God
                           in
                           a
                           way
                           of
                           Grace
                           or
                           Pardon
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         
                         If
                         you
                         would
                         come
                         to
                         stability
                         ,
                         and
                         a
                         comforting
                         perswasion
                         of
                         an
                         
                           Interest
                           in
                           forgiveness
                        
                         by
                         the
                         Blood
                         of
                         Christ
                         ,
                         
                           improve
                           the
                           least
                           Appearances
                           of
                           him
                           unto
                           your
                           souls
                           ,
                           and
                           the
                           least
                           Intimations
                           of
                           his
                           Love
                           in
                           Pardon
                           ,
                           that
                           are
                           made
                           unto
                           you
                           in
                           the
                           way
                           of
                           God.
                        
                         The
                         Spouse
                         takes
                         notice
                         of
                         her
                         Husband
                         ,
                         and
                         rejoyceth
                         in
                         him
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         stands
                         
                           behind
                           the
                           wall
                        
                         ,
                         when
                         he
                         doth
                         but
                         
                           look
                           forth
                           at
                           the
                           window
                           ,
                           and
                           shew
                           himself
                           at
                           the
                           lattice
                           ,
                        
                         when
                         she
                         could
                         have
                         no
                         clear
                         sight
                         of
                         him
                         ,
                         Cant.
                         2.
                         9.
                         
                         She
                         lays
                         hold
                         on
                         the
                         least
                         Appearance
                         of
                         him
                         to
                         support
                         her
                         heart
                         withall
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         stir
                         up
                         her
                         Affections
                         towards
                         him
                         .
                         Men
                         in
                         dangers
                         do
                         not
                         sit
                         still
                         to
                         wait
                         until
                         something
                         presents
                         it self
                         unto
                         them
                         that
                         will
                         give
                         
                           assured
                           deliverance
                        
                         ;
                         but
                         they
                         close
                         with
                         that
                         which
                         first
                         presents
                         it self
                         unto
                         them
                         ,
                         that
                         is
                         of
                         the
                         same
                         
                           kind
                           and
                           nature
                        
                         with
                         what
                         they
                         look
                         after
                         .
                         And
                         thus
                         God
                         doth
                         in
                         many
                         places
                         express
                         such
                         supportments
                         as
                         give
                         the
                         soul
                         little
                         more
                         than
                         
                           a
                           possibility
                           of
                           attaining
                           the
                           End
                        
                         aimed
                         at
                         .
                         As
                         Zeph.
                         2.
                         3.
                         
                         
                           It
                           may
                           be
                           ye
                           shall
                           be
                           hid
                           in
                           the
                           day
                           of
                           the
                           Lords
                           Anger
                           .
                        
                         And
                         Joel
                         2.
                         14.
                         
                         
                           Who
                           knoweth
                           but
                           he
                           will
                           return
                           and
                           leave
                           a
                           blessing
                           .
                        
                         It
                         
                           may
                           be
                        
                         we
                         shall
                         be
                         hid
                         ;
                         it
                         
                           may
                           be
                        
                         we
                         shall
                         have
                         a
                         blessing
                         .
                         And
                         this
                         was
                         the
                         best
                         ground
                         that
                         Jonathan
                         had
                         for
                         the
                         great
                         undertaking
                         against
                         the
                         Enemies
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         1
                         Sam.
                         14.
                         6.
                         
                         
                           It
                           may
                           be
                           God
                           will
                           go
                           along
                           with
                           us
                           .
                        
                         And
                         to
                         what
                         end
                         doth
                         God
                         at
                         any
                         time
                         make
                         these
                         seemingly
                         
                           dubious
                           intimations
                        
                         of
                         Grace
                         and
                         Mercy
                         ?
                         is
                         it
                         that
                         we
                         should
                         by
                         the
                         difficulty
                         included
                         in
                         them
                         ,
                         be
                         discouraged
                         and
                         kept
                         from
                         him
                         ?
                         not
                         at
                         all
                         ;
                         he
                         speaks
                         nothing
                         to
                         
                           deter
                           sinners
                        
                         ,
                         especially
                         
                           distressed
                           sinners
                        
                         ,
                         from
                         trusting
                         in
                         him
                         .
                         But
                         his
                         End
                         is
                         that
                         we
                         should
                         close
                         with
                         ,
                         and
                         lay
                         hold
                         upon
                         ,
                         and
                         improve
                         the
                         least
                         
                           Appearances
                           of
                           Grace
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         this
                         kind
                         of
                         expressions
                         do
                         give
                         unto
                         us
                         .
                         When
                         men
                         are
                         in
                         a
                         voyage
                         at
                         Sea
                         ,
                         and
                         meet
                         with
                         a
                         Storm
                         or
                         a
                         Tempest
                         which
                         abides
                         upon
                         them
                         ,
                         and
                         they
                         fear
                         will
                         at
                         last
                         prevail
                         against
                         them
                         ;
                         if
                         they
                         make
                         so
                         far
                         a
                         
                           discovery
                           of
                           Land
                        
                         ,
                         as
                         that
                         they
                         can
                         say
                         ,
                         
                           it
                           may
                           be
                           there
                           is
                        
                         
                         Land
                         ;
                         it
                         may
                         it
                         is
                         such
                         a
                         place
                         where
                         there
                         is
                         a
                         safe
                         harbour
                         ,
                         none
                         can
                         positively
                         say
                         ,
                         
                           it
                           is
                           not
                        
                         ;
                         there
                         lyes
                         no
                         demonstration
                         against
                         it
                         ;
                         in
                         this
                         condition
                         especially
                         if
                         there
                         be
                         
                           no
                           other
                           way
                        
                         of
                         escape
                         delivery
                         or
                         safety
                         proposed
                         to
                         them
                         ,
                         this
                         is
                         enough
                         to
                         make
                         them
                         to
                         follow
                         on
                         that
                         discovery
                         ,
                         and
                         with
                         all
                         diligence
                         to
                         steer
                         their
                         course
                         that
                         way
                         ,
                         until
                         they
                         have
                         made
                         a
                         tryal
                         of
                         it
                         unto
                         the
                         utmost
                         .
                         The
                         soul
                         of
                         which
                         we
                         speak
                         is
                         afflicted
                         and
                         tossed
                         ,
                         and
                         not
                         comforted
                         .
                         There
                         is
                         in
                         the
                         
                           Intimation
                           of
                           Grace
                        
                         and
                         Pardon
                         intended
                         ,
                         a
                         remote
                         discovery
                         made
                         of
                         some
                         relief
                         .
                         This
                         
                           may
                           be
                        
                         Christ
                         ,
                         it
                         
                           may
                           be
                        
                         forgiveness
                         .
                         This
                         it
                         is
                         convinced
                         of
                         ;
                         it
                         cannot
                         deny
                         but
                         at
                         such
                         or
                         such
                         a
                         time
                         under
                         such
                         Ordinances
                         ,
                         or
                         in
                         such
                         Duties
                         ,
                         it
                         was
                         perswaded
                         that
                         yet
                         there
                         
                           might
                           be
                           Mercy
                        
                         and
                         Pardon
                         for
                         it
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         enough
                         to
                         carry
                         it
                         to
                         steer
                         its
                         course
                         constantly
                         that
                         way
                         ;
                         to
                         press
                         forward
                         unto
                         that
                         harbour
                         which
                         will
                         give
                         it
                         rest
                         .
                         How
                         little
                         was
                         it
                         that
                         David
                         had
                         to
                         bring
                         his
                         soul
                         unto
                         a
                         composure
                         in
                         his
                         great
                         distress
                         ,
                         2
                         Sam.
                         15.
                         25
                         ,
                         26.
                         
                         If
                         ,
                         saith
                         he
                         ,
                         
                           I
                           shall
                           find
                           favour
                           in
                           the
                           eyes
                           of
                           the
                           Lord
                           ,
                           he
                           will
                           bring
                           me
                           again
                           ,
                           and
                           shew
                           me
                           the
                           Ark
                           ,
                           and
                           the
                           place
                           of
                           his
                           habitation
                           ;
                           but
                           if
                           he
                           thus
                           say
                           ,
                           I
                           have
                           no
                           delight
                           in
                           thee
                           ,
                           behold
                           here
                           am
                           I
                           ,
                           let
                           him
                           do
                           unto
                           me
                           as
                           seemeth
                           good
                           unto
                           him
                           .
                        
                         He
                         hath
                         nothing
                         but
                         Soveraign
                         Grace
                         to
                         rest
                         upon
                         ,
                         and
                         that
                         he
                         gives
                         himself
                         up
                         unto
                         .
                      
                       
                         Faith
                         is
                         indeed
                         the
                         
                           souls
                           Venture
                           for
                           Eternity
                        
                         .
                         Something
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         venture
                         on
                         ,
                         as
                         to
                         its
                         eternal
                         condition
                         .
                         It
                         must
                         either
                         adhere
                         unto
                         
                           its
                           self
                        
                         ,
                         or
                         its
                         own
                         vain
                         hopes
                         of
                         a
                         Righteousness
                         of
                         its
                         own
                         ;
                         or
                         it
                         must
                         give
                         over
                         
                           all
                           expectation
                        
                         and
                         lye
                         down
                         in
                         darkness
                         ;
                         or
                         it
                         must
                         shut
                         out
                         all
                         dreadfull
                         
                           Apprehensions
                           of
                           Eternity
                        
                         ,
                         by
                         the
                         power
                         and
                         activity
                         of
                         its
                         lusts
                         and
                         carnal
                         Affections
                         ;
                         or
                         it
                         must
                         ,
                         whatever
                         its
                         discouragements
                         be
                         ,
                         cast
                         it self
                         
                           upon
                           Pardon
                        
                         in
                         the
                         blood
                         of
                         Jesus
                         Christ.
                         Now
                         if
                         all
                         the
                         former
                         waies
                         be
                         detestable
                         and
                         pernicious
                         ,
                         if
                         the
                         best
                         of
                         them
                         be
                         a
                         direct
                         opposition
                         unto
                         the
                         Gospel
                         ,
                         what
                         hath
                         the
                         soul
                         that
                         enquires
                         after
                         these
                         things
                         to
                         do
                         ,
                         but
                         to
                         adhere
                         unto
                         the
                         last
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         improve
                         every
                         encouragement
                         ,
                         even
                         the
                         least
                         to
                         that
                         purpose
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 As
                 a
                 close
                 unto
                 these
                 
                   General
                   Rules
                
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 add
                 this
                 last
                 direction
                 :
                 Consider
                 in
                 particular
                 where
                 the
                 stress
                 and
                 hinderance
                 lyes
                 ,
                 that
                 keeps
                 you
                 off
                 from
                 Peace
                 through
                 an
                 established
                 perswasion
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 Evangelical
                 Pardon
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 
                 alwaies
                 fluctuate
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 in
                 generals
                 and
                 uncertainties
                 ;
                 but
                 drive
                 things
                 unto
                 a
                 
                   particular
                   issue
                
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 tryed
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 of
                 sufficient
                 efficacy
                 to
                 keep
                 you
                 in
                 your
                 present
                 entanglements
                 and
                 despondencies
                 .
                 Search
                 out
                 
                   your
                   wound
                
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 tryed
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 curable
                 or
                 no.
                 
              
               
                 Now
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 we
                 cannot
                 expect
                 that
                 persons
                 should
                 suggest
                 their
                 own
                 
                   particular
                   concerns
                
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 considered
                 and
                 be
                 brought
                 unto
                 the
                 Rule
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 our selves
                 reduce
                 such
                 distresses
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 ,
                 or
                 do
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 befall
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 unto
                 some
                 
                   General
                   heads
                
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 a
                 Judgement
                 concerning
                 them
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Truth
                 .
                 Indeed
                 
                   particular
                   cases
                
                 as
                 varied
                 by
                 circumstances
                 are
                 endness
                 ;
                 nor
                 can
                 they
                 be
                 spoken
                 unto
                 in
                 
                   this
                   way
                   of
                   Instruction
                
                 and
                 Direction
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 left
                 unto
                 occasional
                 considerations
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 represented
                 unto
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 entrusted
                 to
                 dispense
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 God.
                 Besides
                 ,
                 many
                 have
                 laboured
                 already
                 in
                 
                   this
                   matter
                
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 endeavours
                 are
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 general
                 use
                 .
                 Although
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 before
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   special
                   cases
                
                 are
                 so
                 varied
                 by
                 their
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 very
                 rare
                 that
                 any
                 Resolutions
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 every
                 way
                 adequate
                 ,
                 and
                 suited
                 unto
                 the
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 exercised
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 call
                 things
                 unto
                 some
                 
                   general
                   heads
                
                 whereunto
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 Objections
                 that
                 
                   distressed
                   sinners
                
                 make
                 against
                 their
                 own
                 peace
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 reduced
                 ;
                 and
                 leave
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 applied
                 in
                 particular
                 unto
                 the
                 relief
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 shall
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 make
                 
                   them
                   effectual
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Second
                   General
                   Head
                   of
                   the
                   Application
                   of
                   the
                   Truth
                   insisted
                   on
                   .
                   Grounds
                   of
                   Spiritual
                   Disquietments
                   considered
                   .
                   The
                   first
                   ;
                   Afflictions
                   .
                   Waies
                   and
                   means
                   of
                   the
                   Aggravation
                   of
                   Afflictions
                   .
                   Rules
                   about
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 That
                 which
                 now
                 lyeth
                 before
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   second
                   part
                
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 
                   General
                   Use
                
                 educed
                 from
                 the
                 Truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 Our
                 aim
                 is
                 to
                 lead
                 on
                 souls
                 
                   towards
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 through
                 a
                 gracious
                 perswasion
                 of
                 their
                 Interest
                 in
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 consists
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 declared
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Consideration
                 of
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 disquietments
                 which
                 befall
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 them
                 off
                 from
                 Establishment
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 And
                 first
                 ,
                 such
                 disquietments
                 and
                 objections
                 against
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 arise
                 from
                 Afflictions
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 so
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 in
                 many
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 .
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 greatned
                 unto
                 the
                 mind
                 from
                 their
                 Nature
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 their
                 Concomitants
                 do
                 oft-times
                 variously
                 affect
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 prevail
                 to
                 darken
                 it
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 to
                 ingenerate
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                   all
                   messengers
                   of
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 all
                 tokens
                 of
                 displeasure
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 consequently
                 evidences
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 
                   not
                   par
                   doned
                
                 or
                 accepted
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 
                   great
                   Afflictions
                
                 unto
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 innumerable
                 
                   aggravating
                   circumstances
                
                 accompanying
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Some
                 have
                 come
                 with
                 a
                 
                   dreadfull
                   surprizal
                
                 in
                 things
                 not
                 looked
                 for
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 falls
                 not
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 providence
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 many
                 Generations
                 .
                 Such
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 reduced
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 extremity
                 by
                 
                   the
                   late
                   consuming
                   fire
                
                 ;
                 some
                 have
                 had
                 their
                 
                   whole
                   families
                
                 ,
                 all
                 their
                 posterity
                 taken
                 from
                 them
                 ;
                 in
                 
                   a
                   few
                   daies
                
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 suddenly
                 bereaved
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Plague
                 .
                 Some
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 persons
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 their
                 Relations
                 ,
                 have
                 had
                 sore
                 ,
                 long
                 and
                 grievous
                 tryals
                 from
                 Oppressions
                 and
                 Persecutions
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 things
                 have
                 
                   various
                   effects
                
                 on
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Some
                 we
                 find
                 crying
                 with
                 that
                 wicked
                 King
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   evil
                   is
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   why
                   should
                   we
                   wait
                   any
                   longer
                   for
                   him
                   ?
                
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 themselves
                 to
                 seek
                 relief
                 from
                 their
                 own
                 lusts
                 .
                 Some
                 bear
                 up
                 under
                 their
                 troubles
                 with
                 a
                 
                   natural
                   stoutness
                   of
                   spirit
                
                 ;
                 some
                 have
                 received
                 a
                 
                   sanctified
                   use
                
                 and
                 improvement
                 of
                 their
                 trials
                 ,
                 with
                 joy
                 in
                 the
                 Lord.
                 But
                 many
                 we
                 find
                 to
                 
                   go
                   heavily
                
                 under
                 their
                 burdens
                 ,
                 having
                 their
                 minds
                 darkned
                 with
                 many
                 misapprehensions
                 of
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 
                   personal
                   interest
                
                 in
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 therefore
                 unseasonable
                 to
                 speak
                 a
                 little
                 to
                 this
                 Head
                 of
                 trouble
                 in
                 our
                 entrance
                 .
                 Outward
                 troubles
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 are
                 oftentimes
                 occasions
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 the
                 causes
                 of
                 great
                 inward
                 distresses
                 .
                 You
                 know
                 how
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 old
                 expressed
                 their
                 sense
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 conflicts
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 complaints
                 of
                 David
                 are
                 familiar
                 to
                 all
                 who
                 attend
                 unto
                 any
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 so
                 are
                 those
                 of
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   Heman
                   ,
                   Jonah
                   ,
                   Jeremiah
                   ,
                
                 and
                 others
                 ;
                 neither
                 do
                 they
                 complain
                 only
                 of
                 their
                 troubles
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 sense
                 which
                 
                 they
                 had
                 of
                 
                   Gods
                   displeasure
                
                 in
                 and
                 under
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 
                   hiding
                   of
                   his
                   face
                
                 from
                 them
                 whilest
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 exercised
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 otherwise
                 at
                 present
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 known
                 unto
                 such
                 as
                 converse
                 with
                 many
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 either
                 surprized
                 with
                 unexpected
                 troubles
                 ,
                 or
                 worn
                 out
                 with
                 tryals
                 and
                 disappointments
                 of
                 an
                 expected
                 end
                 .
                 They
                 consider
                 themselves
                 both
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 both
                 accounts
                 are
                 filled
                 with
                 
                   dark
                   thoughts
                
                 and
                 despondencies
                 .
                 Saith
                 one
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 rolled
                 from
                 one
                 trial
                 unto
                 another
                 ;
                 the
                 clouds
                 with
                 me
                 return
                 still
                 after
                 the
                 rain
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 
                   billows
                   and
                   water-spouts
                   of
                   God
                
                 go
                 over
                 me
                 .
                 In
                 my
                 person
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 pressed
                 with
                 sickness
                 ,
                 pains
                 ,
                 troubles
                 ;
                 in
                 my
                 Relations
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 miscarriages
                 ,
                 or
                 death
                 ;
                 in
                 my
                 
                   outward
                   state
                
                 ,
                 in
                 wants
                 ,
                 losses
                 ,
                 dis-reputation
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 even
                 as
                 a
                 withered
                 branch
                 .
                 Surely
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 any
                 
                   especial
                   regard
                
                 unto
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 thus
                 with
                 me
                 ;
                 or
                 some
                 
                   timely
                   end
                
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 put
                 unto
                 these
                 dispensations
                 .
                 On
                 the
                 other
                 hand
                 ,
                 they
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 of
                 
                   some
                   other
                
                 Professors
                 ;
                 they
                 see
                 that
                 their
                 Tables
                 are
                 spread
                 day
                 by
                 day
                 ;
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Candle
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 shines
                 continually
                 on
                 their
                 tabernacle
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 they
                 have
                 their
                 hearts
                 desire
                 .
                 Setting
                 aside
                 the
                 
                   common
                   attendencies
                   of
                   humane
                   nature
                
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 befalls
                 them
                 grievous
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 surely
                 had
                 I
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 in
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   God
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 would
                 not
                 thus
                 pursue
                 a
                 
                   Flea
                   in
                   the
                   Mountains
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 set
                 himself
                 in
                 battel
                 array
                 against
                 a
                 leaf
                 driven
                 to
                 and
                 fro
                 with
                 the
                 wind
                 ;
                 he
                 would
                 spare
                 me
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 me
                 alone
                 for
                 a
                 moment
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 things
                 are
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 
                   my
                   way
                   is
                   hidden
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 and
                 my
                 Judgement
                 is
                 passed
                 over
                 from
                 my
                 God.
                 These
                 kind
                 of
                 thoughts
                 do
                 perplex
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 them
                 off
                 from
                 partaking
                 of
                 that
                 
                   strong
                   consolation
                
                 which
                 God
                 is
                 abundantly
                 wiling
                 they
                 should
                 receive
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 of
                 a
                 blessed
                 Interest
                 in
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 very
                 case
                 of
                 David
                 ;
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 these
                 
                   outward
                   Troubles
                
                 were
                 a
                 special
                 part
                 of
                 those
                 depths
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 he
                 cryed
                 for
                 relief
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Redemption
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 answer
                 to
                 these
                 Complaints
                 ;
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 are
                 so
                 
                 many
                 
                   excellent
                   things
                
                 spoken
                 concerning
                 Afflictions
                 ;
                 their
                 Necessity
                 ,
                 their
                 Usefulness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 such
                 blessed
                 ends
                 are
                 assigned
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 many
                 have
                 been
                 compassed
                 and
                 fulfilled
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 the
                 exercise
                 wherewith
                 they
                 are
                 attended
                 ,
                 would
                 think
                 it
                 impossible
                 that
                 any
                 one
                 should
                 be
                 shaken
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Love
                 and
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 on
                 their
                 account
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   no
                   Afflictions
                   are
                   joyous
                   at
                   present
                   but
                   grievous
                
                 ;
                 So
                 he
                 who
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 his
                 Trials
                 that
                 solemn
                 profession
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   it
                   was
                   good
                   for
                   him
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   been
                   affected
                   ,
                
                 yet
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 was
                 distressed
                 under
                 them
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 therefore
                 sundry
                 
                   Accidental
                   things
                
                 which
                 accompany
                 
                   great
                   Afflictions
                
                 that
                 seem
                 to
                 exempt
                 them
                 from
                 the
                 common
                 Rule
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Grace
                 :
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Remembrance
                   of
                   past
                   and
                   buryed
                   misearriages
                   and
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 bosom
                 of
                 many
                 Afflictions
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 so
                 with
                 Job
                 ;
                 
                   Thou
                   makest
                   me
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   possess
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   my
                   youth
                   .
                
                 See
                 his
                 plea
                 to
                 that
                 purpose
                 ,
                 chap.
                 13.
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 his
                 troubles
                 and
                 distresses
                 ,
                 God
                 revived
                 upon
                 his
                 spirit
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 former
                 sins
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 his
                 youth
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 him
                 to
                 
                   possess
                   them
                
                 ;
                 he
                 filled
                 his
                 soul
                 and
                 mind
                 with
                 thoughts
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 anxiety
                 about
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 made
                 him
                 fear
                 lest
                 
                   God
                   was
                   his
                   enemy
                
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 continue
                 to
                 deal
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 feverity
                 .
                 So
                 was
                 it
                 with
                 Josephs
                 Brethren
                 in
                 their
                 distresses
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 42.
                 21.
                 
                 
                   They
                   said
                   one
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   verily
                   guilty
                   concerning
                   our
                   Brother
                   ,
                   in
                   that
                   we
                   saw
                   the
                   anguish
                   of
                   his
                   soul
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   sought
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   would
                   not
                   hear
                   ,
                   therefore
                   is
                   this
                   distress
                   come
                   upon
                   us
                   .
                
                 And
                 vers
                 .
                 22.
                 
                 
                   Behold
                   his
                   blood
                   is
                   required
                
                 .
                 Their
                 distress
                 revives
                 a
                 deep
                 perplexing
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 many
                 years
                 past
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 under
                 all
                 its
                 
                   aggravating
                   circumstances
                
                 which
                 spoiled
                 them
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 reliefs
                 and
                 comforts
                 ,
                 filling
                 them
                 with
                 Confusion
                 and
                 Trouble
                 ,
                 though
                 absolutely
                 innocent
                 as
                 to
                 what
                 was
                 come
                 on
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 like
                 appeared
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Widdow
                   of
                   Zareptha
                
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 Elijah
                 sojourned
                 during
                 the
                 famine
                 .
                 Upon
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 her
                 Son
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 seems
                 was
                 some
                 what
                 extraordinary
                 ,
                 she
                 cryed
                 out
                 unto
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   have
                   I
                   to
                   do
                   with
                   thee
                   thou
                   Man
                   of
                   God
                   ?
                   Art
                   thou
                   come
                   to
                
                 
                 
                   call
                   my
                   sins
                   to
                   remembrance
                   and
                   to
                   slay
                   my
                   Son
                   ?
                
                 1
                 King.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 It
                 seems
                 some
                 
                   great
                   sin
                
                 she
                 had
                 formerly
                 contracted
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 upon
                 her
                 sore
                 Affliction
                 in
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 her
                 only
                 child
                 ,
                 the
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 it
                 was
                 recalled
                 and
                 revived
                 upon
                 her
                 soul.
                 Thus
                 
                   deep
                   calleth
                   unto
                   deep
                
                 at
                 the
                 noise
                 of
                 Gods
                 water
                 spouts
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 all
                 his
                 
                   waves
                   and
                   billows
                
                 go
                 over
                 a
                 person
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 42.
                 7.
                 
                 The
                 deep
                 of
                 Afflictions
                 calleth
                 up
                 the
                 
                   deep
                   of
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 and
                 both
                 in
                 conjunction
                 become
                 as
                 
                   billows
                   and
                   waves
                
                 passing
                 over
                 the
                 soul.
                 We
                 see
                 only
                 the
                 outside
                 of
                 mens
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 they
                 usually
                 complain
                 only
                 of
                 what
                 doth
                 appear
                 .
                 And
                 an
                 easie
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 apply
                 relief
                 and
                 comfort
                 unto
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 distressed
                 .
                 The
                 Rule
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 is
                 so
                 clear
                 ,
                 so
                 often
                 repeated
                 and
                 inculcated
                 ,
                 the
                 promises
                 annexed
                 unto
                 this
                 condition
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 precious
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 hath
                 in
                 readiness
                 what
                 to
                 apply
                 unto
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 exercised
                 .
                 But
                 oftentimes
                 we
                 know
                 nothing
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Gall
                   and
                   Wormwood
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 mens
                 Affliction
                 ;
                 they
                 keep
                 that
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 souls
                 feed
                 upon
                 them
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 Lam.
                 3.
                 12.
                 
                 God
                 hath
                 stirred
                 up
                 the
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 some
                 great
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 look
                 upon
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 as
                 that
                 wherein
                 he
                 is
                 come
                 ,
                 or
                 beginning
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 Judgement
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 any
                 wonder
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 in
                 darkness
                 and
                 filled
                 with
                 disconsolation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 in
                 
                   many
                   Afflictions
                
                 something
                 that
                 seems
                 New
                 ,
                 and
                 peculiar
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 surprised
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 readily
                 reduce
                 its
                 condition
                 unto
                 what
                 is
                 taught
                 about
                 Afflictions
                 in
                 General
                 .
                 This
                 perplexeth
                 and
                 intangleth
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 Affliction
                 it
                 is
                 troubled
                 withall
                 ,
                 but
                 some
                 
                   one
                   thing
                   or
                   other
                
                 in
                 it
                 that
                 appears
                 with
                 an
                 Especial
                 dread
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 questioneth
                 whether
                 ever
                 it
                 were
                 so
                 with
                 any
                 other
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 thereby
                 deprived
                 of
                 the
                 supportment
                 which
                 from
                 former
                 Examples
                 it
                 might
                 receive
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 when
                 God
                 intendeth
                 that
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 
                   deep
                   Affliction
                
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 put
                 an
                 Edge
                 upon
                 it
                 in
                 matter
                 ,
                 or
                 manner
                 ,
                 or
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 make
                 the
                 soul
                 feel
                 its
                 sharpness
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 our
                 
                   bounds
                   and
                   measures
                
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 which
                 we
                 think
                 we
                 could
                 be
                 contented
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 will
                 put
                 the
                 
                   impress
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   greatness
                
                 and
                 terrour
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 and
                 submitted
                 unto
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 State
                 with
                 Naomi
                 ;
                 When
                 from
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 plentiful
                 
                 condition
                 ,
                 she
                 went
                 into
                 a
                 strange
                 Countrey
                 with
                 an
                 Husband
                 and
                 two
                 Sons
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 all
                 dyed
                 ,
                 leaving
                 her
                 destitute
                 and
                 poor
                 ;
                 Hence
                 in
                 her
                 account
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 she
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   call
                   me
                   not
                   Naomi
                
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 pleasant
                 )
                 
                   but
                   call
                   me
                   mara
                
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 bitter
                 )
                 
                   for
                   the
                   Almighty
                   hath
                   dealt
                   very
                   bitterly
                   with
                   me
                   .
                   I
                   went
                   out
                   Full
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   brought
                   me
                   again
                   Empty
                   ;
                   why
                   then
                   call
                   ye
                   me
                
                 Naomi
                 
                   since
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   testified
                   against
                   me
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Almighty
                   hath
                   afflicted
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Ruth
                 1.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 So
                 was
                 it
                 with
                 Job
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Widdow
                 of
                 Zareptha
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 her
                 at
                 Naim
                 who
                 was
                 burying
                 her
                 only
                 Child
                 .
                 And
                 still
                 in
                 many
                 Afflictions
                 God
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 put
                 in
                 an
                 entangling
                 specialty
                 ,
                 which
                 perplexeth
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 darkens
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 its
                 Reasonings
                 about
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 interest
                 in
                 Pardon
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 some
                 ;
                 Affections
                 are
                 very
                 strong
                 and
                 Importunate
                 as
                 fixed
                 on
                 lawful
                 things
                 ;
                 whereby
                 their
                 Nature
                 is
                 made
                 sensible
                 and
                 tender
                 ,
                 and
                 apt
                 to
                 receive
                 very
                 
                   deep
                   impressions
                
                 from
                 urgent
                 Afflictions
                 ;
                 Now
                 although
                 this
                 in
                 its
                 self
                 be
                 a
                 
                   good
                   natural
                   frame
                
                 ,
                 and
                 helps
                 to
                 preserve
                 the
                 soul
                 from
                 that
                 
                   stout
                   hardness
                
                 which
                 God
                 abhors
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 watched
                 over
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 perplex
                 the
                 soul
                 with
                 many
                 intangling
                 Temptations
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 intimates
                 a
                 
                   double
                   evil
                
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 obnoxious
                 unto
                 under
                 tryals
                 and
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   My
                   Son
                   ,
                   despise
                   not
                   thou
                   the
                   chastening
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   nor
                   faint
                   when
                   thou
                   art
                   rebuked
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
                 Men
                 may
                 either
                 through
                 a
                 
                   natural
                   stoutness
                   despise
                
                 and
                 contemn
                 their
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 obstinate
                 under
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 faint
                 and
                 despond
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 come
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 end
                 which
                 God
                 aimes
                 at
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 attained
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 duty
                 .
                 Now
                 though
                 the
                 frame
                 spoken
                 of
                 ,
                 be
                 not
                 obnoxious
                 unto
                 the
                 first
                 extream
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 greatly
                 to
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 not
                 watched
                 against
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 pernitious
                 than
                 the
                 former
                 .
                 Affections
                 in
                 such
                 persons
                 being
                 greatly
                 moved
                 they
                 cloud
                 and
                 darken
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 fill
                 it
                 with
                 strange
                 Apprehensions
                 concerning
                 God
                 and
                 themselves
                 .
                 Every
                 thing
                 is
                 presented
                 unto
                 them
                 through
                 a
                 Glass
                 composed
                 of
                 Fear
                 ,
                 Dread
                 ,
                 Terrour
                 ,
                 Sorrow
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 disconsolations
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 them
                 faint
                 and
                 despond
                 ,
                 unto
                 very
                 
                   sad
                   apprehensions
                
                 of
                 themselves
                 and
                 their
                 Conditions
                 .
              
               
               
                 4.
                 
                 Afflictions
                 find
                 some
                 entangled
                 with
                 very
                 
                   strong
                   corruptions
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Love
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 of
                 Name
                 or
                 Reputation
                 ,
                 of
                 great
                 contrivances
                 for
                 posterity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 or
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 things
                 carnal
                 or
                 sensual
                 .
                 Now
                 when
                 these
                 unexpectedly
                 meet
                 together
                 ,
                 
                   great
                   Afflictions
                
                 and
                 
                   strong
                   Corruptions
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 conconceivable
                 what
                 a
                 combustion
                 they
                 will
                 make
                 in
                 the
                 soul.
                 As
                 a
                 
                   strong
                   medicine
                
                 or
                 potion
                 meeting
                 with
                 a
                 
                   strong
                   or
                   tough
                   distemper
                
                 in
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 violent
                 contention
                 in
                 nature
                 between
                 them
                 and
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 oftentimes
                 the
                 very
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 patient
                 is
                 endangered
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 where
                 a
                 great
                 tryal
                 ,
                 a
                 smart
                 stroke
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 falls
                 upon
                 a
                 person
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 
                   his
                   pursuit
                   of
                   the
                   Effects
                   of
                   some
                
                 corruptions
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 
                   is
                   amazed
                
                 even
                 to
                 distraction
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 scarce
                 have
                 any
                 thought
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 
                   cut
                   the
                   person
                
                 off
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 .
                 Every
                 
                   unmortified
                   corruption
                
                 fills
                 the
                 very
                 fear
                 and
                 expectation
                 of
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 with
                 horrour
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 good
                 Reason
                 that
                 so
                 it
                 should
                 do
                 ;
                 for
                 although
                 God
                 should
                 be
                 
                   merciful
                   unto
                   mens
                   Iniquities
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 take
                 
                   Vengeance
                   of
                   their
                   Inventions
                
                 ,
                 their
                 condition
                 would
                 be
                 dark
                 and
                 sorrowful
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Satan
                 is
                 never
                 wanting
                 in
                 such
                 Occasions
                 to
                 attempt
                 the
                 compassing
                 of
                 his
                 Ends
                 ,
                 upon
                 persons
                 that
                 are
                 exercised
                 under
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God.
                 In
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 suffering
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 fell
                 upon
                 
                   the
                   Head
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 turning
                 it
                 into
                 the
                 very
                 
                   hour
                   of
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   darkness
                   .
                
                 And
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 omit
                 any
                 appearing
                 opportunities
                 of
                 Advantage
                 against
                 his
                 Members
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 principally
                 in
                 such
                 seasons
                 attacks
                 them
                 withall
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   God
                   regards
                   them
                   not
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 fallen
                 under
                 his
                 Judgement
                 and
                 Severity
                 ,
                 as
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 no
                 share
                 in
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Pardon
                 or
                 Forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 From
                 these
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 Reasons
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 whereas
                 
                   Afflictions
                   in
                   general
                
                 are
                 so
                 testified
                 unto
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 pledges
                 and
                 tokens
                 of
                 Gods
                 Love
                 and
                 Care
                 to
                 be
                 designed
                 unto
                 
                   blessed
                   ends
                
                 ;
                 as
                 conformity
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 yet
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 these
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 they
                 often
                 prove
                 means
                 of
                 casting
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 depths
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 hindering
                 it
                 from
                 a
                 refreshing
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God.
                 That
                 this
                 may
                 prove
                 no
                 real
                 or
                 abiding
                 ground
                 of
                 inward
                 spiritual
                 trouble
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 the
                 following
                 
                   Rules
                   and
                   Directions
                
                 may
                 be
                 observed
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Not
                   only
                   Afflctions
                   in
                   general
                   ,
                   but
                   great
                   and
                   manifold
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   attended
                   with
                   all
                   sorts
                   of
                   aggravating
                   circumstances
                   ,
                   are
                   alwaies
                   consistent
                   with
                   the
                   pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   after
                   signal
                   tokens
                   and
                   pledges
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   therein
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 7.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   What
                   is
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   magnifie
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   set
                   thine
                   heart
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   visit
                   him
                   every
                   morning
                   ,
                   and
                   try
                   him
                   every
                   moment
                   !
                
                 What
                 were
                 the
                 considerations
                 that
                 cast
                 him
                 into
                 this
                 admiration
                 of
                 the
                 Care
                 and
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 expressed
                 ,
                 v.
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 no
                 words
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 
                   dismal
                   import
                
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 book
                 than
                 those
                 here
                 expressed
                 ;
                 yet
                 when
                 he
                 recollected
                 himself
                 from
                 his
                 overwhelming
                 distress
                 ,
                 he
                 acknowledgeth
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 proceeded
                 from
                 the
                 Love
                 and
                 Care
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 yea
                 his
                 
                   fixing
                   his
                   heart
                
                 upon
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 
                   magnifie
                   him
                
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   set
                   him
                   up
                
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 him
                 good
                 ;
                 For
                 this
                 end
                 doth
                 he
                 chasten
                 a
                 man
                 every
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 try
                 him
                 every
                 moment
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 
                   such
                   afflictions
                
                 as
                 are
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 being
                 ioyous
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 give
                 no
                 Rest
                 ,
                 but
                 even
                 weary
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 expresseth
                 their
                 Effects
                 on
                 himself
                 ,
                 v.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 observed
                 of
                 this
                 Job
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 
                   none
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 was
                 like
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 trouble
                 ,
                 God
                 gave
                 him
                 three
                 Testimonies
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 
                   none
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 like
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 Grace
                 .
                 And
                 although
                 it
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 laid
                 down
                 as
                 a
                 
                   General
                   Rule
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 in
                 the
                 providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 had
                 
                   most
                   of
                   Afflictions
                
                 ,
                 have
                 had
                 most
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 eminent
                 Testimonies
                 of
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Head
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 had
                 all
                 Afflictions
                 gathered
                 into
                 
                   an
                   head
                
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   alwaies
                   loved
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 alwaies
                 well
                 pleased
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 God
                 solemnly
                 renewed
                 his
                 
                   Covenant
                   with
                   Abraham
                
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 had
                 prepared
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 whereby
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 ratified
                 and
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 God
                 made
                 a
                 
                   smoaking
                   Furnace
                
                 to
                 pass
                 between
                 the
                 pieces
                 of
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 15.
                 17.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 to
                 let
                 him
                 know
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 
                   furnace
                   of
                   Affliction
                
                 attending
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Peace
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 he
                 tells
                 Sion
                 that
                 he
                 chose
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 
                   furnace
                   of
                   Affliction
                   ,
                   Isa.
                
                 48.
                 10.
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Aegyptian
                   Affliction
                
                 ,
                 burning
                 ,
                 flaming
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 fiery
                 tryals
                 ,
                 as
                 Peter
                 
                 calls
                 them
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
                 There
                 can
                 then
                 no
                 Argument
                 be
                 drawn
                 from
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 kind
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 
                   aggravating
                   circumstance
                
                 wherewith
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 attended
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 any
                 way
                 discourage
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 comforting
                 supporting
                 perswasion
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 thereby
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   No
                   length
                   or
                   continuance
                   of
                   Afflictions
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   any
                   impeachment
                   of
                   our
                   spiritual
                   consolation
                   .
                
                 Take
                 for
                 the
                 confirmation
                 hereof
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Example
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
                 How
                 long
                 did
                 his
                 Afflictions
                 continue
                 ?
                 what
                 end
                 or
                 issue
                 was
                 put
                 to
                 them
                 ?
                 No
                 longer
                 did
                 they
                 abide
                 than
                 until
                 he
                 cryed
                 with
                 a
                 loud
                 voice
                 and
                 gave
                 up
                 the
                 Ghost
                 .
                 To
                 the
                 moment
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ;
                 from
                 his
                 Manger
                 to
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 his
                 Afflictions
                 still
                 increased
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 ended
                 his
                 daies
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 he
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Head
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 great
                 Representative
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 unto
                 a
                 conformity
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 predestinated
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 it
                 so
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 this
                 particular
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 
                   no
                   rest
                   ,
                   no
                   peace
                
                 from
                 our
                 trials
                 ,
                 until
                 we
                 lye
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 that
                 whatever
                 condition
                 we
                 pass
                 through
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 shut
                 out
                 of
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 from
                 Immortality
                 and
                 Glory
                 ,
                 what
                 have
                 we
                 herein
                 to
                 complain
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Where
                   the
                   Remembrance
                   and
                   perplexing
                   sense
                   of
                   past
                   sins
                   is
                   revived
                   by
                   present
                   afflictions
                   ;
                   separate
                   them
                   in
                   your
                   minds
                   ,
                   and
                   deal
                   distinctly
                   about
                   them
                   .
                
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 you
                 carry
                 on
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 them
                 joyntly
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 rolled
                 from
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 obtain
                 rest
                 unto
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 mutually
                 aggravate
                 each
                 other
                 .
                 The
                 sharpness
                 of
                 Affliction
                 will
                 add
                 to
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 sin
                 will
                 give
                 an
                 edge
                 to
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 it
                 to
                 pierce
                 deeply
                 into
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 shewed
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 instances
                 .
                 Deal
                 therefore
                 distinctly
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 proper
                 order
                 .
                 So
                 doth
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 here
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 at
                 present
                 both
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 together
                 they
                 brought
                 him
                 into
                 these
                 depths
                 concerning
                 which
                 he
                 so
                 cries
                 out
                 for
                 deliverance
                 from
                 them
                 ;
                 see
                 Psal.
                 32.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 course
                 doth
                 he
                 take
                 ?
                 he
                 applies
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 to
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 distinctly
                 and
                 separately
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 got
                 a
                 discharge
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 waited
                 so
                 earnestly
                 for
                 ,
                 his
                 faith
                 quickly
                 arose
                 above
                 his
                 
                   outward
                   trials
                
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 in
                 his
                 blessed
                 close
                 of
                 all
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   redeem
                   Israel
                   out
                   of
                   all
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   trouble
                
                 ;
                 the
                 whole
                 Israel
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 my self
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 do
                 then
                 ,
                 single
                 out
                 the
                 sin
                 or
                 sins
                 that
                 are
                 revived
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 their
                 guilt
                 upon
                 the
                 conscience
                 .
                 Use
                 all
                 diligence
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 an
                 issue
                 about
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 God
                 by
                 your
                 Affliction
                 calls
                 you
                 unto
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 disease
                 whereof
                 your
                 trouble
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 symptom
                 .
                 This
                 therefore
                 in
                 the
                 Cure
                 you
                 seek
                 after
                 ,
                 is
                 first
                 and
                 principally
                 to
                 be
                 attended
                 unto
                 ;
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 removed
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 as
                 to
                 any
                 prejudice
                 unto
                 your
                 souls
                 will
                 depart
                 of
                 its
                 self
                 .
                 The
                 root
                 being
                 once
                 digged
                 up
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 long
                 feed
                 on
                 the
                 
                   bitter
                   fruit
                
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 brought
                 forth
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 you
                 do
                 ,
                 the
                 Wormwood
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 very
                 pleasant
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 wholesome
                 .
                 How
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 by
                 an
                 Application
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 at
                 large
                 declared
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 men
                 will
                 deal
                 with
                 
                   confused
                   thoughts
                
                 about
                 their
                 sins
                 and
                 their
                 troubles
                 ,
                 their
                 wound
                 will
                 be
                 incurable
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 sorrow
                 endless
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Remember
                   that
                   a
                   time
                   of
                   Affliction
                   is
                   a
                   time
                   of
                   Temptation
                   .
                
                 Satan
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 wanting
                 unto
                 any
                 appearing
                 Opportunity
                 or
                 Advantage
                 of
                 setting
                 upon
                 the
                 soul.
                 When
                 Pharaoh
                 heard
                 that
                 the
                 people
                 were
                 intangled
                 in
                 the
                 wilderness
                 ,
                 he
                 pursued
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 Satan
                 sees
                 a
                 soul
                 intangled
                 with
                 it's
                 distresses
                 and
                 troubles
                 ,
                 he
                 thinks
                 it
                 his
                 time
                 and
                 hour
                 to
                 assault
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 seeks
                 to
                 winnow
                 ,
                 and
                 comes
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Corn
                   is
                   under
                   the
                   flail
                
                 .
                 Reckon
                 therefore
                 that
                 when
                 
                   trouble
                   cometh
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Prince
                   of
                   the
                   world
                
                 cometh
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 provided
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 Now
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 
                   shield
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 
                   quench
                   his
                   fiery
                   darts
                
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 be
                 neglected
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 
                   enflame
                   the
                   soul.
                
                 Watch
                 therefore
                 and
                 pray
                 that
                 you
                 enter
                 not
                 into
                 Temptation
                 ;
                 that
                 Satan
                 do
                 not
                 
                   represent
                   God
                
                 falsly
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 durst
                 represent
                 
                   Job
                   falsly
                
                 to
                 the
                 All-seeing
                 God
                 ,
                 will
                 with
                 much
                 boldness
                 represent
                 God
                 falsly
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 see
                 and
                 know
                 so
                 little
                 .
                 Be
                 not
                 then
                 ignorant
                 of
                 his
                 devices
                 ;
                 but
                 every
                 way
                 set
                 your selves
                 against
                 his
                 interposing
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 your
                 souls
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 matter
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 nothing
                 to
                 do
                 withall
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 this
                 make-bate
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 inflame
                 the
                 difference
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Learn
                   to
                   distinguish
                   the
                   Effect
                   of
                   natural
                   distempers
                   from
                   spiritual
                   distresses
                   .
                
                 Some
                 have
                 sad
                 ,
                 dark
                 and
                 tenacious
                 thoughts
                 
                 fixed
                 on
                 their
                 minds
                 from
                 their
                 
                   natural
                   distempers
                
                 .
                 These
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 cured
                 by
                 Reasonings
                 ,
                 nor
                 utterly
                 quelled
                 by
                 faith
                 .
                 Our
                 design
                 must
                 be
                 to
                 abate
                 their
                 Efficacy
                 and
                 Consequents
                 ,
                 by
                 considering
                 their
                 Occasions
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 men
                 cannot
                 do
                 this
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 highly
                 incumbent
                 on
                 those
                 who
                 make
                 Application
                 of
                 relief
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 carefull
                 to
                 discern
                 what
                 is
                 from
                 such
                 principles
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 expect
                 a
                 speedy
                 Cure.
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Take
                   heed
                   in
                   times
                   of
                   peace
                   and
                   ease
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   lay
                   not
                   up
                   ,
                   by
                   your
                   negligence
                   or
                   careless
                   walking
                   ,
                   sad
                   provision
                   for
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 Afflictions
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 sin
                 that
                 imbitters
                 troubles
                 ;
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 peace
                 are
                 revived
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 distress
                 .
                 Fear
                 of
                 future
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 of
                 impendent
                 troubles
                 ,
                 should
                 make
                 us
                 carefull
                 not
                 to
                 bring
                 that
                 into
                 them
                 which
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 bitter
                 and
                 sorrowfull
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   grow
                   better
                   under
                   all
                   your
                   Afflictions
                   ,
                   lest
                   your
                   Afflictions
                   grow
                   worse
                
                 ;
                 lest
                 God
                 mingle
                 them
                 with
                 more
                 darkness
                 ,
                 bitterness
                 and
                 terrour
                 .
                 As
                 Joab
                 said
                 unto
                 David
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 ceased
                 not
                 his
                 scandalous
                 Lamentation
                 on
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Absolom
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 would
                 leave
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 then
                 should
                 find
                 himself
                 in
                 
                   a
                   far
                   worse
                   condition
                
                 than
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 bemoaned
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 
                   befell
                   him
                   from
                   his
                   youth
                
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 unto
                 persons
                 under
                 their
                 Afflictions
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 managed
                 and
                 improved
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   which
                   is
                   worse
                
                 may
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 probability
                 will
                 befall
                 them
                 .
                 Whereever
                 God
                 takes
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 engageth
                 in
                 afflicting
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 commonly
                 pursue
                 his
                 work
                 until
                 he
                 hath
                 prevailed
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 design
                 towards
                 the
                 afflicted
                 party
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 cease
                 to
                 
                   thresh
                   and
                   break
                   the
                   bread-corn
                
                 until
                 it
                 be
                 meet
                 for
                 his
                 use
                 .
                 Lay
                 down
                 then
                 the
                 weapons
                 of
                 thy
                 warfare
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 give
                 up
                 your selves
                 to
                 his
                 Will
                 ;
                 let
                 go
                 every
                 thing
                 about
                 which
                 he
                 contends
                 with
                 you
                 ;
                 follow
                 after
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 calls
                 you
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 find
                 light
                 arising
                 unto
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 darkness
                 .
                 Hath
                 he
                 a
                 
                   cup
                   of
                   Affliction
                
                 in
                 one
                 hand
                 ,
                 lift
                 up
                 your
                 eyes
                 and
                 you
                 will
                 see
                 a
                 
                   cup
                   of
                   Consolation
                
                 in
                 another
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 all
                 Stars
                 withdraw
                 their
                 light
                 ,
                 whilst
                 you
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 assure
                 your selves
                 that
                 the
                 Sun
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 rise
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 According
                 to
                 the
                 Tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 
                 may
                 be
                 sensible
                 of
                 
                   the
                   respect
                   of
                   Affliction
                   unto
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 unto
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 sin
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 have
                 a
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 of
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 general
                 in
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   forgave
                   them
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   took
                   vengeance
                   on
                   their
                   inventions
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 99.
                 8.
                 
                 Whatever
                 they
                 suffered
                 under
                 the
                 vengeance
                 that
                 fell
                 upon
                 their
                 Inventions
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 as
                 hard
                 a
                 word
                 as
                 is
                 applied
                 any
                 where
                 unto
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 his
                 people
                 )
                 yet
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 he
                 assured
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 their
                 sin
                 .
                 So
                 you
                 know
                 was
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 David
                 .
                 His
                 greatest
                 Trial
                 and
                 Affliction
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 befell
                 him
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 a
                 particular
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 God
                 took
                 
                   vengeance
                   on
                   his
                   invention
                
                 ,
                 was
                 ushered
                 in
                 with
                 a
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 done
                 away
                 ,
                 or
                 pardoned
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 not
                 dye
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 express'd
                 in
                 the
                 Tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 with
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 89.
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Objections
                   against
                   Believing
                   from
                   things
                   internal
                   .
                   The
                   person
                   knows
                   not
                   whether
                   he
                   be
                   Regenerate
                   or
                   no.
                   State
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   asserted
                   .
                   Difference
                   of
                   Saving
                   and
                   Common
                   Grace
                   .
                   This
                   difference
                   discernable
                   .
                   Men
                   may
                   know
                   themselves
                   to
                   be
                   Regenerate
                   .
                   The
                   Objection
                   answered
                   .
                
              
               
                 Another
                 head
                 of
                 Objections
                 and
                 Despondencies
                 ariseth
                 from
                 things
                 internal
                 ,
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 required
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 have
                 an
                 Interest
                 in
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God.
                 Some
                 whereof
                 we
                 shall
                 speak
                 unto
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 respect
                 ,
                 first
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 secondly
                 ,
                 some
                 actings
                 in
                 the
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 As
                 to
                 the
                 State
                 ,
                 say
                 some
                 ,
                 
                   unless
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   Regenerate
                
                 ,
                 and
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 be
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Pardon
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 things
                 here
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 first
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 well
                 what
                 this
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 variously
                 disputed
                 amongst
                 men
                 .
                 Some
                 would
                 place
                 it
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 outward
                 signs
                 of
                 our
                 Initiation
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 otherwise
                 express
                 it
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 whether
                 thou
                 that
                 
                   are
                   Regenerate
                
                 do
                 or
                 may
                 know
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 known
                 unto
                 others
                 with
                 whom
                 they
                 may
                 treat
                 about
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 it
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 known
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 
                 uncertain
                 in
                 this
                 also
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 for
                 their
                 parts
                 ,
                 they
                 neither
                 know
                 the
                 
                   time
                   when
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 
                   manner
                   how
                
                 any
                 such
                 work
                 was
                 wrought
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 without
                 this
                 ,
                 seeing
                 it
                 is
                 wrought
                 by
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 springs
                 from
                 certain
                 causes
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 establishment
                 in
                 a
                 not-failing
                 perswasion
                 of
                 their
                 Acceptance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 and
                 summ
                 of
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 Objections
                 which
                 perplexed
                 souls
                 do
                 manage
                 against
                 themselves
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 .
                 Hence
                 indeed
                 they
                 draw
                 forth
                 reasonings
                 with
                 great
                 variety
                 according
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 suggested
                 by
                 their
                 particular
                 occasions
                 and
                 temptations
                 .
                 And
                 many
                 proofs
                 taken
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 miscarriages
                 and
                 fears
                 ,
                 do
                 they
                 enforce
                 their
                 Objections
                 withall
                 .
                 My
                 purpose
                 is
                 to
                 lay
                 down
                 some
                 
                   General
                   Rules
                
                 and
                 Principles
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 applied
                 unto
                 particular
                 occasions
                 and
                 emergencies
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 shall
                 be
                 done
                 in
                 answer
                 to
                 the
                 several
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 General
                 Objection
                 mentioned
                 before
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 then
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 First
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 most
                 certain
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 
                   two
                   Estates
                
                 and
                 Conditions
                 that
                 divide
                 all
                 mankind
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 lives
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 doth
                 compleatly
                 and
                 absolutely
                 belong
                 unto
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 by
                 Christ
                 ;
                 every
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 belongs
                 unto
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 states
                 or
                 condition
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Scripture
                 so
                 abounds
                 in
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 first
                 principal
                 thing
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 taught
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 clear
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 different
                 states
                 in
                 
                   this
                   world
                
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 so
                 in
                 that
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 all
                 our
                 Faith
                 and
                 our
                 Obedience
                 depend
                 on
                 this
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 only
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Mediation
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Promises
                 and
                 Threats
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 and
                 Gospel
                 are
                 built
                 on
                 this
                 supposition
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 lays
                 naked
                 unto
                 a
                 spiritual
                 eye
                 that
                 abounding
                 Atheism
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Men
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 like
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 ignorant
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 wonder
                 how
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 scorn
                 them
                 ,
                 despise
                 them
                 ,
                 scoff
                 at
                 them
                 .
                 To
                 make
                 mention
                 of
                 being
                 regenerate
                 is
                 exposed
                 to
                 reproach
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 But
                 whether
                 men
                 will
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 unto
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 conditions
                 they
                 must
                 belong
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 these
                 two
                 estates
                 differ
                 morally
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 Physically
                 
                 in
                 the
                 causes
                 constitutive
                 of
                 that
                 difference
                 ;
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 specifical
                 difference
                 between
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 place
                 men
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 condition
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 Whatever
                 there
                 is
                 of
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 Duty
                 ,
                 Grace
                 in
                 an
                 
                   Unregenerate
                   person
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 Regenerate
                 somewhat
                 of
                 
                   another
                   kind
                
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 difference
                 of
                 these
                 states
                 themselves
                 it
                 is
                 plain
                 in
                 Scripture
                 .
                 The
                 one
                 is
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 of
                 Life
                 ;
                 the
                 one
                 of
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 of
                 Light
                 ;
                 the
                 one
                 of
                 Enmity
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 of
                 Reconciliation
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 one
                 state
                 is
                 constituted
                 by
                 that
                 of
                 Grace
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 a
                 
                   peculiar
                   kind
                
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 declare
                 .
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 proceedeth
                 from
                 an
                 
                   especial
                   spring
                
                 and
                 fountain
                 ,
                 which
                 emptieth
                 much
                 of
                 its
                 living
                 waters
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 no
                 one
                 drop
                 whereof
                 falls
                 on
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 
                   Electing
                   Love
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 given
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 the
                 Decree
                 of
                 Election
                 ;
                 God
                 
                   hath
                   chosen
                   us
                   that
                   we
                   should
                   be
                   holy
                   ,
                
                 Ephes.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 Our
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 whose
                 only
                 spring
                 is
                 our
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 effect
                 of
                 our
                 Election
                 ;
                 That
                 which
                 God
                 works
                 in
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 his
                 eternal
                 purpose
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 good
                 will
                 towards
                 us
                 .
                 So
                 again
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 2
                 Thes.
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   from
                   the
                   beginning
                   chosen
                   you
                   to
                   salvation
                   through
                   the
                   sanctification
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 God
                 having
                 designed
                 us
                 unto
                 salvation
                 as
                 the
                 End
                 ,
                 hath
                 also
                 appointed
                 the
                 sanctification
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Means
                 to
                 bring
                 us
                 orderly
                 unto
                 the
                 attainment
                 of
                 that
                 End.
                 But
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 common
                 Grace
                 or
                 Gifts
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 men
                 Unregenerate
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 products
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Providence
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 ordering
                 all
                 things
                 in
                 general
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 heirs
                 of
                 salvation
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 fruits
                 of
                 
                   Electing
                   Eternal
                   Love
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 designed
                 means
                 for
                 the
                 insiallible
                 attaining
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 Graces
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 have
                 a
                 manifold
                 Respect
                 or
                 Relation
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 that
                 the
                 common
                 Graces
                 of
                 others
                 have
                 not
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 name
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 of
                 these
                 Respects
                 :
                 First
                 ,
                 They
                 have
                 an
                 especial
                 
                   moral
                   Relation
                
                 to
                 the
                 Mediatory
                 Acts
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 Oblation
                 and
                 Intercession
                 .
                 Especial
                 Grace
                 is
                 an
                 especial
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 purchase
                 of
                 Christ
                 by
                 
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 blood-shedding
                 .
                 He
                 made
                 a
                 double
                 purchase
                 of
                 his
                 Elect
                 ;
                 of
                 their
                 persons
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 ;
                 of
                 especial
                 Grace
                 to
                 be
                 
                   theirs
                   .
                   He
                   gave
                   himself
                   for
                   his
                   Church
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   sanctifie
                   and
                   cleanse
                   it
                   with
                   the
                   washing
                   of
                   water
                   by
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   present
                   it
                   unto
                   himself
                   a
                   glorious
                   Church
                   ,
                   not
                   having
                   spot
                   or
                   wrinckle
                   ,
                   or
                   any
                   such
                   thing
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   it
                   should
                   be
                   holy
                   and
                   without
                   blemish
                   ,
                
                 Ephes.
                 5.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 The
                 design
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 giving
                 himself
                 for
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 procure
                 for
                 it
                 that
                 
                   Especial
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 through
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Means
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 sanctified
                 and
                 purified
                 .
                 So
                 Titus
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   He
                   gave
                   himself
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   redeem
                   us
                   from
                   all
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   and
                   purifie
                   unto
                   himself
                   a
                   peculiar
                   people
                   zealous
                   of
                   good
                   works
                   .
                
                 Real
                 purification
                 in
                 Grace
                 and
                 Holiness
                 hath
                 this
                 Especial
                 Relation
                 unto
                 the
                 Death
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 designed
                 therein
                 to
                 procure
                 it
                 for
                 them
                 for
                 whom
                 he
                 dyed
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 his
                 Purchase
                 or
                 Acquisition
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 his
                 purpose
                 was
                 really
                 to
                 bestow
                 it
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 effectually
                 to
                 work
                 it
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 Moreover
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 an
                 
                   Especial
                   Relation
                
                 unto
                 his
                 Intercession
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 a
                 distinguishing
                 manner
                 from
                 any
                 other
                 Gifts
                 or
                 common
                 Graces
                 that
                 other
                 men
                 may
                 receive
                 .
                 Giving
                 us
                 the
                 Rule
                 and
                 Pattern
                 of
                 his
                 intercession
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 
                 He
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   so
                   prayes
                   not
                   for
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 but
                 for
                 his
                 Elect
                 ;
                 those
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 had
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 his
                 ,
                 v.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 he
                 prayes
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 distinction
                 from
                 all
                 other
                 men
                 whatever
                 ?
                 Amongst
                 others
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 one
                 principal
                 thing
                 that
                 he
                 insists
                 on
                 ,
                 v.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   Sanctifie
                   them
                   through
                   thy
                   Truth
                
                 .
                 Their
                 Sanctification
                 and
                 Holiness
                 is
                 granted
                 upon
                 that
                 Prayer
                 and
                 Intercession
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 peculiar
                 unto
                 them
                 with
                 an
                 exclusion
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   pray
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                   I
                   pray
                   not
                   for
                   the
                   world
                   .
                
                 Now
                 the
                 common
                 Grace
                 of
                 unregenerate
                 persons
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 are
                 distinguished
                 from
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 whatever
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 not
                 this
                 
                   Especial
                   Relation
                
                 to
                 the
                 Oblation
                 and
                 Intercession
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Common
                 Grace
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 procurement
                 of
                 Especial
                 Intercession
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 They
                 have
                 a
                 
                   Real
                   Relation
                
                 unto
                 Christ
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 
                   living
                   Quickning-Head
                
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 living
                 spiritual
                 fountain
                 of
                 the
                 spiritual
                 life
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 vital
                 Acts
                 whatever
                 .
                 
                   Christ
                   is
                   our
                   life
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   our
                   life
                   is
                   hid
                   with
                   him
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 3.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 which
                 consists
                 in
                 the
                 
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 3.
                 is
                 
                   in
                   him
                
                 as
                 the
                 cause
                 ,
                 head
                 ,
                 spring
                 and
                 fountain
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 In
                 him
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 its
                 fulness
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 thence
                 it
                 is
                 derived
                 unto
                 all
                 that
                 believe
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   receive
                   from
                   his
                   fulness
                   Grace
                   for
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 All
                 ●●ue
                 saving
                 sanctifying
                 Grace
                 ,
                 all
                 spiritual
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 belongs
                 thereunto
                 is
                 derived
                 directly
                 from
                 Christ
                 as
                 the
                 
                   living
                   Head
                
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 fountain
                 of
                 all
                 spiritual
                 life
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Speaking
                   the
                   truth
                   in
                   love
                   ,
                   grow
                   up
                   into
                   him
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   Head
                   even
                   Christ
                   ;
                   from
                   whom
                   the
                   whole
                   body
                   fitly
                   joyned
                   together
                   ,
                   and
                   compacted
                   by
                   that
                   which
                   every
                   joynt
                   supplieth
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   effectual
                   working
                   in
                   the
                   measure
                   of
                   every
                   part
                   ,
                   maketh
                   increase
                   of
                   the
                   body
                   unto
                   the
                   edifying
                   of
                   it self
                   in
                   love
                   .
                
                 To
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 he
                 again
                 expresseth
                 the
                 same
                 matter
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 All
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 comes
                 from
                 the
                 Head
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 growth
                 or
                 furtherance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 his
                 
                   Effectual
                   working
                   in
                   every
                   part
                
                 to
                 bring
                 it
                 unto
                 the
                 measure
                 designed
                 unto
                 it
                 .
                 Nothing
                 then
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 this
                 Grace
                 can
                 be
                 obtained
                 but
                 by
                 virtue
                 of
                 our
                 Union
                 unto
                 Christ
                 as
                 our
                 head
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 consists
                 in
                 a
                 vital
                 effectual
                 influence
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 fulness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 kind
                 of
                 Relation
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 all
                 Grace
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 ,
                 is
                 incapable
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 administred
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Covenant
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   God
                   will
                   write
                   his
                   Law
                   in
                   our
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   put
                   his
                   fear
                   in
                   our
                   inward
                   parts
                   ,
                
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 depart
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 32.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 Grace
                 whereof
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 whatever
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 what
                 kind
                 soever
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 bestowed
                 on
                 none
                 but
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 taken
                 into
                 Covenant
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 unto
                 them
                 alone
                 it
                 is
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 virtue
                 thereof
                 is
                 it
                 wrought
                 in
                 and
                 upon
                 their
                 souls
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 
                   Unregenerate
                   men
                
                 are
                 strangers
                 from
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 that
                 Grace
                 which
                 is
                 peculiarly
                 and
                 only
                 promised
                 thereby
                 ,
                 and
                 exhibited
                 therein
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 the
                 least
                 spark
                 of
                 
                   saving
                   Regenerating
                   Grace
                
                 is
                 wrought
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 as
                 given
                 unto
                 men
                 to
                 
                   dwell
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   abide
                   with
                   them
                   .
                
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 water
                 given
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 unto
                 Believers
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 them
                 
                   a
                   well
                   of
                   water
                
                 
                 
                   springing
                   up
                   to
                   everlasting
                   life
                
                 ,
                 John
                 4.
                 14.
                 
                 First
                 they
                 receive
                 the
                 water
                 ,
                 the
                 spring
                 it self
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 thence
                 
                   living
                   waters
                
                 do
                 arise
                 up
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 wrought
                 ,
                 effected
                 ,
                 produced
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 given
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 Now
                 although
                 the
                 common
                 Gifts
                 and
                 Graces
                 of
                 men
                 Unregenerate
                 are
                 effects
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 wrought
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 bestowed
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 all
                 other
                 works
                 of
                 Gods
                 Providence
                 ;
                 yet
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 work
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 received
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   dwell
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   abide
                   with
                   them
                
                 as
                 a
                 Never-failing
                 spring
                 of
                 spiritual
                 life
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 our
                 Saviour
                 sayes
                 expresly
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Unbelievers
                   do
                   not
                   know
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 nor
                 can
                 receive
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 him
                 abiding
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 contradistinction
                 unto
                 all
                 Unregenerate
                 persons
                 ,
                 are
                 affirmed
                 of
                 all
                 them
                 that
                 do
                 believe
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 The
                 least
                 of
                 
                   saving
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 is
                 peculiar
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 is
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   That
                   which
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   is
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 Whatever
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 is
                 
                   so
                   born
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   spiritual
                   being
                
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 educible
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Nature
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                 Be
                 it
                 never
                 so
                 little
                 or
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 however
                 it
                 may
                 differ
                 in
                 degrees
                 in
                 one
                 and
                 in
                 another
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 all
                 ;
                 
                   It
                   is
                   a
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 least
                 Worm
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 in
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 the
                 
                   old
                   Creation
                
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 a
                 creature
                 than
                 the
                 Sun
                 ;
                 yea
                 or
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 Angel
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 So
                 in
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 the
                 
                   new
                   Creation
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   least
                   spark
                
                 or
                 dram
                 of
                 true
                 grace
                 that
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 sanctifying
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 the
                 highest
                 Faith
                 or
                 Love
                 that
                 ever
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 chiefest
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 
                   not
                   Spirit
                
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   new
                   spiritual
                   being
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 hath
                 none
                 ,
                 whatever
                 appearance
                 of
                 agreement
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 do
                 yet
                 differ
                 specifically
                 from
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 saving
                 Grace
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 common
                 Graces
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 others
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 these
                 are
                 
                   divers
                   States
                
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 eminently
                 different
                 and
                 distinct
                 the
                 one
                 from
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 answers
                 the
                 second
                 thing
                 laid
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 Objections
                 ,
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Uncertainty
                   of
                   these
                   States
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 real
                 difference
                 of
                 it
                 from
                 the
                 contrary
                 State
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 exclusive
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 laid
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 Enquiry
                 ,
                 
                   whether
                   this
                   State
                   may
                   be
                   known
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   really
                   partaker
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                
                 or
                 translated
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 unto
                 others
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 concerned
                 therein
                 ;
                 to
                 which
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 difference
                 that
                 is
                 between
                 these
                 two
                 States
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   constitutive
                   causes
                
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 real
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 discernable
                 ;
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 by
                 themselves
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 those
                 states
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 who
                 are
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 are
                 yet
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 ;
                 who
                 are
                 quickned
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 are
                 yet
                 dead
                 in
                 Trespasses
                 and
                 Sin
                 :
                 But
                 here
                 also
                 Observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 
                   alwayes
                   known
                
                 to
                 the
                 persons
                 themselves
                 concerned
                 in
                 this
                 distribution
                 .
                 Many
                 cry
                 
                   peace
                   ,
                   peace
                
                 when
                 suddain
                 destruction
                 is
                 at
                 hand
                 .
                 These
                 either
                 think
                 themselves
                 regenerate
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 wilfully
                 despise
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 required
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 have
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 delude
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 unto
                 their
                 ruine
                 .
                 And
                 many
                 that
                 
                   are
                   truly
                   born
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 know
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 They
                 may
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 light
                 ;
                 Nor
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 this
                 is
                 
                   alwayes
                   known
                   to
                   others
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 known
                 unto
                 
                   Unregenerate
                   men
                
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 so
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 really
                 and
                 substantially
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 
                   Natural
                   men
                   perceive
                   not
                   the
                   things
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 spiritually
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 light
                 and
                 nature
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 they
                 cannot
                 aright
                 discern
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 put
                 men
                 into
                 that
                 condition
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 foolishness
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 )
                 so
                 they
                 cannot
                 Judge
                 aright
                 of
                 their
                 persons
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 Judge
                 aright
                 nationally
                 concerning
                 any
                 things
                 or
                 Persons
                 ,
                 Yet
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 Judge
                 so
                 upon
                 
                   right
                   grounds
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 with
                 any
                 Evidence
                 in
                 or
                 unto
                 themselves
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 do
                 Judge
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 Generally
                 they
                 Judge
                 amiss
                 of
                 such
                 persons
                 ;
                 And
                 because
                 they
                 make
                 profession
                 of
                 somewhat
                 which
                 they
                 find
                 not
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 they
                 Judge
                 them
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 and
                 false
                 pretenders
                 unto
                 what
                 is
                 not
                 .
                 For
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 evince
                 their
                 Union
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 evidence
                 their
                 being
                 
                   born
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 they
                 savour
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 receive
                 them
                 .
                 Nor
                 is
                 this
                 
                   alwayes
                   known
                
                 unto
                 ,
                 or
                 discerned
                 
                   by
                   them
                
                 that
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 They
                 may
                 sometime
                 with
                 Peter
                 think
                 a
                 
                   Symon
                   Magus
                
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 true
                 believer
                 ;
                 or
                 with
                 Eli
                 an
                 Hannah
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 daughter
                 of
                 Belial
                 .
                 Many
                 Hypocrites
                 
                 are
                 so
                 set
                 forth
                 with
                 gifts
                 ,
                 common
                 Graces
                 ,
                 Light
                 and
                 profession
                 that
                 they
                 pass
                 amongst
                 all
                 believers
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 
                   born
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 many
                 poor
                 Saints
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 disguised
                 under
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 Sin
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 looked
                 on
                 as
                 strangers
                 from
                 that
                 family
                 whereunto
                 indeed
                 they
                 do
                 belong
                 .
                 The
                 Judgement
                 of
                 man
                 may
                 fail
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Judgement
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 according
                 unto
                 Righteousness
                 ;
                 wherefore
                 ,
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 we
                 say
                 ;
                 it
                 
                   may
                   be
                   known
                   in
                   the
                   Sedulous
                   use
                   of
                   means
                   appointed
                   for
                   that
                   end
                   ,
                   to
                   a
                   man's
                   self
                   and
                   others
                   ,
                   which
                   of
                   the
                   Conditions
                   mentioned
                   he
                   doth
                   belong
                   unto
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 be
                 regenerate
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 his
                 or
                 their
                 concernment
                 lies
                 therein
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 say
                 may
                 be
                 known
                 and
                 that
                 infallibly
                 and
                 assuredly
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 any
                 duty
                 wherein
                 from
                 hence
                 we
                 are
                 concerned
                 .
                 The
                 discharge
                 of
                 some
                 duties
                 in
                 our selves
                 and
                 toward
                 others
                 ,
                 depends
                 on
                 this
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 may
                 attain
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 for
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 such
                 duties
                 unto
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God.
                 Now
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 directly
                 in
                 our
                 way
                 ,
                 yet
                 having
                 been
                 mentioned
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 in
                 our
                 passage
                 touch
                 upon
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 duties
                 do
                 depend
                 upon
                 our
                 Judging
                 of
                 others
                 to
                 be
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 or
                 Principles
                 whereby
                 such
                 a
                 Judgement
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 many
                 duties
                 incumbent
                 on
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 with
                 and
                 
                   towards
                   Professors
                
                 ;
                 which
                 without
                 admitting
                 a
                 Judgement
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 of
                 their
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 cannot
                 be
                 performed
                 in
                 faith
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 these
                 duties
                 alone
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 to
                 Judge
                 the
                 State
                 of
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 giving
                 Countenance
                 unto
                 a
                 rash
                 uncharitable
                 censuring
                 of
                 mens
                 spiritual
                 conditions
                 ,
                 nor
                 unto
                 
                   any
                   Judging
                   of
                   any
                   men
                
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 than
                 what
                 our
                 own
                 duty
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 doth
                 indispensably
                 require
                 .
                 Thus
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 
                   lay
                   down
                   our
                   lives
                   for
                   the
                   Brethren
                   ,
                
                 it
                 is
                 very
                 meet
                 we
                 should
                 so
                 far
                 know
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 hazard
                 our
                 lives
                 in
                 faith
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 thereunto
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 also
                 to
                 Joyn
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 those
                 Ordinances
                 wherein
                 we
                 make
                 a
                 Solemn
                 profession
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 
                   members
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   body
                
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 same
                 head
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 faith
                 and
                 love
                 :
                 We
                 must
                 love
                 them
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 
                   begotten
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Children
                 of
                 our
                 heavenly
                 Father
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 on
                 some
                 good
                 ground
                 believe
                 them
                 
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 due
                 performance
                 of
                 all
                 principal
                 mutual
                 Gospel
                 Duties
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 our
                 own
                 Edification
                 ,
                 depends
                 on
                 this
                 supposition
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 have
                 such
                 a
                 satisfying
                 perswasion
                 concerning
                 the
                 spiritual
                 condition
                 of
                 others
                 as
                 that
                 from
                 thence
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 our
                 ayme
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 we
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 grounds
                 hereof
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 mention
                 one
                 only
                 ;
                 which
                 all
                 others
                 do
                 lean
                 upon
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 pressed
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 
                   As
                   the
                   body
                   is
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   hath
                   many
                   members
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   members
                   of
                   that
                   one
                   body
                   being
                   many
                   ,
                   are
                   one
                   body
                   ,
                   so
                   is
                   Christ.
                   For
                   by
                   one
                   Spirit
                   we
                   are
                   all
                   Baptized
                   into
                   one
                   body
                   ,
                   whether
                   we
                   be
                   Jews
                   or
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   whether
                   we
                   be
                   bond
                   or
                   free
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   been
                   all
                   made
                   to
                   drink
                   into
                   one
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 united
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 hold
                 of
                 one
                 head
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 are
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 natural
                 under
                 one
                 head
                 ,
                 So
                 is
                 Christ
                 mystical
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 all
                 believers
                 under
                 Christ
                 their
                 head
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Union
                 they
                 have
                 by
                 the
                 inhabitation
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 quickning
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 their
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 him
                 they
                 are
                 brought
                 all
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 spiritual
                 state
                 and
                 frame
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 
                   to
                   drink
                   into
                   one
                   and
                   the
                   same
                   Spirit
                
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 same
                 Spirit
                 produceth
                 the
                 same
                 Effects
                 in
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   same
                   in
                   kind
                
                 though
                 differing
                 in
                 degrees
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 fully
                 declares
                 ,
                 Ephes.
                 4.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Spirit
                 is
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 John
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 this
                 gives
                 them
                 a
                 naturalness
                 in
                 their
                 duties
                 one
                 towards
                 another
                 ;
                 or
                 in
                 mutual
                 caring
                 for
                 ,
                 rejoycing
                 and
                 sorrowing
                 with
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   members
                   one
                   of
                   another
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 So
                 it
                 reveals
                 and
                 discovers
                 them
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 is
                 necessary
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 Duties
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 manner
                 as
                 becomes
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 body
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 a
                 
                   spiritually
                   natural
                
                 Answering
                 of
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 as
                 face
                 answereth
                 face
                 in
                 the
                 Water
                 .
                 They
                 can
                 see
                 and
                 discern
                 that
                 in
                 others
                 whereof
                 they
                 have
                 Experience
                 in
                 themselves
                 ;
                 they
                 can
                 tast
                 and
                 relish
                 that
                 in
                 others
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 feed
                 upon
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 the
                 lives
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 do
                 consist
                 ?
                 the
                 same
                 spirit
                 of
                 life
                 being
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 the
                 same
                 spiritual
                 tast
                 and
                 Savour
                 .
                 And
                 unless
                 their
                 pallats
                 are
                 distempered
                 by
                 Temptations
                 or
                 false
                 opinions
                 ,
                 or
                 prejudices
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 in
                 their
                 Communion
                 ,
                 tast
                 of
                 that
                 Spirit
                 in
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 made
                 to
                 drink
                 into
                 .
                 This
                 gives
                 them
                 the
                 same
                 likeness
                 and
                 
                 Image
                 in
                 the
                 Inward
                 man
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 heavenly
                 light
                 in
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 affections
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 thus
                 prepared
                 and
                 enabled
                 to
                 Judge
                 and
                 discern
                 of
                 the
                 State
                 of
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 their
                 mutual
                 duties
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 moreover
                 the
                 true
                 Rule
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 to
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 Spirits
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 effects
                 by
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 
                   love
                   without
                   dissimulation
                
                 and
                 real
                 Communion
                 that
                 is
                 among
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 But
                 here
                 two
                 Cautions
                 must
                 be
                 allowed
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 
                   we
                   would
                   not
                   Judge
                   the
                   State
                   and
                   Condition
                   of
                   any
                   men
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 no
                 further
                 than
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 thereunto
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 Duty
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 called
                 only
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 Duties
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 perform
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 do
                 to
                 Judge
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 any
                 one
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 a
                 call
                 to
                 consider
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 
                   our
                   own
                   Duty
                
                 .
                 Herein
                 that
                 great
                 Rule
                 takes
                 place
                 ;
                 
                   Judge
                   not
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   be
                   not
                   Judged
                   .
                
                 Let
                 us
                 leave
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 unless
                 where
                 evident
                 duty
                 requires
                 other
                 actings
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Judgement
                 seat
                 of
                 God.
                 They
                 are
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 stand
                 or
                 fall
                 unto
                 their
                 own
                 Master
                 .
                 There
                 have
                 been
                 great
                 miscarriages
                 amongst
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 some
                 have
                 been
                 ready
                 to
                 condemn
                 all
                 that
                 go
                 not
                 along
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 every
                 principle
                 ,
                 yea
                 opinion
                 or
                 practice
                 .
                 And
                 every
                 day
                 slight
                 occasions
                 and
                 provocations
                 ,
                 are
                 made
                 the
                 grounds
                 and
                 reasons
                 of
                 severe
                 censures
                 .
                 But
                 nothing
                 is
                 more
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 conduct
                 of
                 the
                 meek
                 and
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 is
                 our
                 Rule
                 ;
                 are
                 
                   we
                   called
                   to
                   Act
                   towards
                   any
                   as
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 as
                 living
                 Members
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 such
                 Duties
                 as
                 we
                 cannot
                 perform
                 in
                 faith
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 are
                 perswaded
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 then
                 are
                 we
                 on
                 the
                 grounds
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 wayes
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 to
                 satisfie
                 our selves
                 in
                 one
                 another
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Do
                 we
                 endeavour
                 mutually
                 to
                 discern
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 such
                 Ends
                 ;
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   be
                   sure
                   to
                   look
                   unto
                   ,
                   and
                   pursue
                   those
                   ends
                
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 attained
                 our
                 Satisfaction
                 .
                 What
                 these
                 ends
                 are
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 
                   love
                   them
                   without
                   dissimulation
                
                 ,
                 as
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 mystical
                 body
                 with
                 us
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 naturally
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 delight
                 sincerely
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 minister
                 unto
                 their
                 wants
                 ,
                 Temporal
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 ;
                 
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 watch
                 over
                 them
                 with
                 pitty
                 and
                 compassion
                 .
                 These
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 are
                 the
                 
                   only
                   ends
                
                 for
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 called
                 to
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 spiritual
                 condition
                 of
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 if
                 these
                 be
                 neglected
                 the
                 other
                 is
                 useless
                 .
                 And
                 here
                 lyes
                 a
                 great
                 aggravation
                 of
                 that
                 neglect
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 way
                 is
                 made
                 for
                 the
                 avoidance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Here
                 lyes
                 the
                 
                   life
                   or
                   death
                   of
                   all
                   Church
                   Society
                   .
                
                 All
                 
                   Church
                   Society
                
                 and
                 Relation
                 is
                 built
                 on
                 this
                 supposition
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 it
                 are
                 all
                 Regenerate
                 ;
                 some
                 lay
                 this
                 
                   foundation
                   in
                   Baptism
                
                 only
                 ,
                 professing
                 that
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 baptized
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 Others
                 require
                 a
                 farther
                 Satisfaction
                 in
                 the
                 real
                 work
                 it self
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 build
                 on
                 the
                 same
                 foundation
                 ;
                 that
                 all
                 Church
                 members
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 what
                 end
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 Namely
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 all
                 mutually
                 perform
                 
                   those
                   duties
                
                 one
                 towards
                 another
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 incumbent
                 mutually
                 on
                 Regenerate
                 persons
                 .
                 If
                 these
                 are
                 omitted
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 End
                 of
                 all
                 profitable
                 use
                 of
                 Church
                 Society
                 .
                 Churches
                 without
                 this
                 are
                 but
                 meer
                 husks
                 and
                 shells
                 of
                 Churches
                 ,
                 Carkasses
                 without
                 souls
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   real
                   Union
                
                 unto
                 Christ
                 without
                 faith
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   real
                   Union
                
                 among
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 any
                 Church
                 without
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 acting
                 its
                 self
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Duties
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 this
                 Ordinance
                 be
                 in
                 vain
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 we
                 must
                 return
                 from
                 this
                 digression
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 lies
                 before
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 concerning
                 what
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 discern
                 concerning
                 
                   his
                   own
                
                 being
                 Regenerate
                 or
                 born
                 again
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 then
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 
                   Men
                   may
                   come
                   to
                   an
                   assured
                   Satisfactory
                   perswasion
                   that
                   themselves
                   are
                   regenerate
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 insallible
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 deceive
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 brought
                 unto
                 the
                 tryal
                 .
                 For
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 Duties
                 whose
                 performance
                 in
                 faith
                 unto
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Edification
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 ,
                 doth
                 depend
                 on
                 this
                 perswasion
                 and
                 Conviction
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   A
                   due
                   sense
                   of
                   our
                   Relation
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 an
                 answerable
                 comportment
                 of
                 our
                 spirits
                 and
                 hearts
                 towards
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   God.
                
                 He
                 is
                 begotten
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 immortal
                 seed
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 Without
                 a
                 perswasion
                 hereof
                 how
                 can
                 a
                 man
                 on
                 grounds
                 of
                 faith
                 carry
                 himself
                 towards
                 God
                 
                   as
                   his
                   Father
                
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 Obedience
                 towards
                 
                 him
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 depends
                 hereon
                 ,
                 we
                 all
                 know
                 .
                 If
                 men
                 fluctuate
                 all
                 their
                 dayes
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 no
                 settlement
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 no
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 scarce
                 ever
                 act
                 any
                 genuine
                 childlike
                 acts
                 of
                 Love
                 or
                 Delight
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 exceedingly
                 impeacheth
                 their
                 whole
                 Obedience
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Thankfulness
                   for
                   Grace
                   received
                
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 principal
                 duties
                 that
                 is
                 incumbent
                 on
                 Believers
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 Now
                 how
                 can
                 a
                 man
                 in
                 faith
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 utterly
                 uncertain
                 whether
                 he
                 have
                 received
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 or
                 no.
                 I
                 know
                 some
                 men
                 run
                 on
                 in
                 
                   a
                   Road
                
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 bless
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 
                   formal
                   way
                
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 Justification
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 you
                 ask
                 them
                 whether
                 
                   themselves
                   are
                   regenerate
                   or
                   no
                
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 scoff
                 at
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 to
                 profess
                 that
                 they
                 know
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 this
                 but
                 to
                 
                   mock
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 presumptuous
                 manner
                 to
                 take
                 his
                 name
                 in
                 vain
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 will
                 praise
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 ought
                 for
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 guided
                 and
                 directed
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 requires
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 as
                 may
                 influence
                 our
                 whole
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 surely
                 it
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 our
                 duty
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 Grace
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 received
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Again
                 the
                 
                   main
                   of
                   our
                   Spiritual
                   watch
                   ,
                   and
                   diligence
                   ,
                
                 consisteth
                 in
                 the
                 cherishing
                 ,
                 improving
                 ,
                 and
                 increasing
                 of
                 the
                 Grace
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 received
                 ;
                 the
                 strengthening
                 of
                 the
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 that
                 is
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 Herein
                 consists
                 principally
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 that
                 Spiritual
                 Wisdom
                 which
                 faith
                 furnisheth
                 the
                 soul
                 withall
                 .
                 Now
                 how
                 can
                 any
                 man
                 apply
                 himself
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 whilest
                 he
                 is
                 altogether
                 uncertain
                 whether
                 he
                 hath
                 received
                 any
                 principle
                 of
                 
                   Living
                   ,
                   Saving
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 whereas
                 therefore
                 God
                 requires
                 our
                 utmost
                 Diligence
                 ,
                 Watchfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 Care
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 that
                 he
                 requires
                 also
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 grants
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 duties
                 which
                 lyes
                 in
                 an
                 Acquaintance
                 with
                 that
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 whereunto
                 we
                 do
                 belong
                 .
                 In
                 brief
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 but
                 one
                 way
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 respect
                 unto
                 our
                 light
                 and
                 convictions
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 our
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 And
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 negligent
                 in
                 the
                 tryal
                 and
                 Examination
                 thereof
                 ,
                 do
                 leave
                 all
                 things
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 their
                 souls
                 at
                 absolute
                 
                 uncertainties
                 ,
                 and
                 dubious
                 hazards
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 lead
                 the
                 Life
                 of
                 Faith.
                 
              
               
                 We
                 shall
                 now
                 upon
                 these
                 premises
                 return
                 unto
                 that
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Objection
                 which
                 is
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 Say
                 some
                 ;
                 
                   We
                   know
                   not
                   whether
                   we
                   are
                   regenerate
                   or
                   no
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   therefore
                   altogether
                   uncertain
                   whether
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   interest
                   in
                   that
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                   ;
                   nor
                   dare
                   we
                   on
                   that
                   account
                   admit
                   of
                   the
                   consolation
                   that
                   is
                   tendred
                   on
                   the
                   Truth
                   insisted
                   on
                   .
                
              
               
                 Supposing
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 lay
                 down
                 the
                 grounds
                 of
                 resolving
                 this
                 
                   perplexing
                   doubt
                
                 in
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Rules
                 .
              
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         I.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                         
                           See
                           that
                           the
                           perswasion
                           and
                           Assurance
                           hereof
                           which
                           you
                           look
                           after
                           and
                           desire
                           be
                           regular
                           ,
                        
                         and
                         not
                         such
                         as
                         is
                         suited
                         meerly
                         unto
                         your
                         own
                         Imaginations
                         .
                         Our
                         second
                         and
                         third
                         
                           General
                           Rules
                        
                         about
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         all
                         spiritual
                         Assurance
                         ,
                         and
                         what
                         is
                         consistent
                         therewithall
                         ,
                         are
                         here
                         to
                         be
                         taken
                         into
                         consideration
                         .
                         If
                         you
                         look
                         to
                         have
                         such
                         an
                         Evidence
                         ,
                         Light
                         into
                         ,
                         and
                         absolute
                         conviction
                         of
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         as
                         shall
                         admit
                         of
                         no
                         doubts
                         ,
                         fears
                         ,
                         questionings
                         ,
                         just
                         occasions
                         and
                         causes
                         of
                         new
                         trials
                         ,
                         teachings
                         ,
                         and
                         self-examinations
                         ,
                         you
                         will
                         be
                         greatly
                         deceived
                         .
                         Regeneration
                         induceth
                         a
                         new
                         principle
                         into
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         but
                         it
                         doth
                         not
                         utterly
                         expel
                         the
                         old
                         ;
                         some
                         would
                         have
                         security
                         ,
                         not
                         Assurance
                         .
                         The
                         principle
                         of
                         sin
                         and
                         unbelief
                         will
                         still
                         abide
                         in
                         us
                         ,
                         and
                         still
                         work
                         in
                         us
                         .
                         Their
                         abiding
                         and
                         their
                         acting
                         must
                         needs
                         put
                         the
                         soul
                         upon
                         a
                         severe
                         enquiry
                         whether
                         they
                         are
                         not
                         prevalent
                         in
                         it
                         beyond
                         what
                         the
                         condition
                         of
                         Regeneration
                         will
                         admit
                         .
                         The
                         constant
                         conflicts
                         we
                         must
                         have
                         with
                         sin
                         ,
                         will
                         not
                         suffer
                         us
                         to
                         have
                         alwaies
                         so
                         clear
                         an
                         Evidence
                         of
                         our
                         condition
                         as
                         we
                         would
                         desire
                         .
                         Such
                         a
                         perswasion
                         as
                         is
                         prevalent
                         against
                         strong
                         objections
                         to
                         the
                         contrary
                         ,
                         keeping
                         up
                         the
                         heart
                         to
                         a
                         due
                         performance
                         of
                         those
                         duties
                         in
                         faith
                         which
                         belong
                         unto
                         the
                         state
                         of
                         Regeneration
                         ,
                         is
                         the
                         substance
                         of
                         what
                         in
                         this
                         kind
                         you
                         are
                         to
                         look
                         after
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                       
                         RULE
                         II.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           If
                           you
                           are
                           doubtfull
                           concerning
                           your
                           state
                           and
                           condition
                           ,
                           do
                           not
                           expect
                           an
                           extraordinary
                           determination
                           of
                           it
                           by
                           an
                           Immediate
                           Testimony
                           of
                           the
                           Spirit
                           of
                           God.
                        
                         I
                         do
                         grant
                         that
                         God
                         doth
                         sometimes
                         by
                         this
                         means
                         bring
                         in
                         peace
                         and
                         satisfaction
                         unto
                         the
                         soul
                         ;
                         he
                         gives
                         his
                         own
                         Spirit
                         immediately
                         
                           to
                           bear
                           witness
                           with
                           ours
                           ,
                           that
                           we
                           are
                           the
                           children
                           of
                           God
                           ,
                        
                         both
                         upon
                         the
                         account
                         of
                         Regeneration
                         and
                         Adoption
                         .
                         He
                         doth
                         so
                         ,
                         but
                         as
                         far
                         as
                         we
                         can
                         observe
                         in
                         a
                         way
                         of
                         Soveraignty
                         ,
                         when
                         and
                         to
                         whom
                         he
                         pleaseth
                         .
                         Besides
                         ,
                         that
                         men
                         may
                         content
                         and
                         satisfie
                         themselves
                         with
                         his
                         ordinary
                         Teachings
                         ,
                         Consolations
                         and
                         Communications
                         of
                         his
                         Grace
                         ,
                         he
                         hath
                         left
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         that
                         
                           peculiar
                           Testimony
                        
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         very
                         dark
                         and
                         difficult
                         to
                         be
                         found
                         out
                         ,
                         few
                         agreeing
                         wherein
                         it
                         doth
                         consist
                         ,
                         or
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         nature
                         of
                         it
                         :
                         No
                         one
                         mans
                         Experience
                         is
                         a
                         Rule
                         unto
                         others
                         .
                         And
                         an
                         undue
                         Apprehension
                         of
                         it
                         ,
                         is
                         a
                         matter
                         of
                         great
                         danger
                         .
                         Yet
                         it
                         is
                         certain
                         that
                         humble
                         souls
                         in
                         extraordinary
                         cases
                         may
                         have
                         recourse
                         unto
                         it
                         with
                         benefit
                         and
                         relief
                         thereby
                         .
                         This
                         then
                         you
                         may
                         desire
                         ,
                         you
                         may
                         pray
                         for
                         ,
                         but
                         not
                         with
                         such
                         a
                         frame
                         of
                         spirit
                         as
                         to
                         refuse
                         that
                         other
                         satisfaction
                         which
                         in
                         the
                         waies
                         of
                         Truth
                         and
                         Peace
                         you
                         may
                         find
                         .
                         This
                         is
                         the
                         putting
                         of
                         the
                         
                           hand
                           into
                           the
                           side
                           of
                           Christ
                           ,
                        
                         but
                         
                           blessed
                           are
                           they
                           who
                           believe
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         yet
                         have
                         not
                         seen
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         III.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           If
                           you
                           have
                           at
                           any
                           time
                           formerly
                           received
                           any
                           especial
                           or
                           Immediate
                           pledge
                           or
                           testimony
                           of
                           God
                           given
                           unto
                           your
                           souls
                           as
                           unto
                           their
                           Sincerity
                           ,
                           and
                           consequently
                           their
                           Regeneration
                           ,
                           labour
                           to
                           recover
                           it
                           ,
                           and
                           to
                           revive
                           a
                           sense
                           of
                           it
                           upon
                           your
                           Spirits
                           now
                           in
                           your
                           darkness
                           and
                           trouble
                           .
                        
                         I
                         am
                         perswaded
                         there
                         are
                         but
                         few
                         Believers
                         ,
                         but
                         that
                         God
                         doth
                         at
                         one
                         time
                         or
                         other
                         ,
                         in
                         one
                         duty
                         or
                         other
                         ,
                         entring
                         into
                         ,
                         or
                         coming
                         out
                         of
                         one
                         Temptation
                         or
                         another
                         ,
                         give
                         some
                         singular
                         Testimony
                         unto
                         their
                         own
                         souls
                         and
                         consciences
                         concerning
                         their
                         Sincerity
                         ,
                         and
                         his
                         Acceptance
                         of
                         them
                         .
                         Sometimes
                         he
                         doth
                         this
                         in
                         
                           a
                           duty
                        
                         wherein
                         he
                         hath
                         enabled
                         the
                         soul
                         to
                         make
                         so
                         near
                         an
                         approach
                         unto
                         him
                         ,
                         as
                         that
                         it
                         hath
                         been
                         
                         warmed
                         ,
                         enlivened
                         ,
                         sweetned
                         ,
                         satisfied
                         with
                         the
                         presence
                         ,
                         the
                         gracious
                         presence
                         of
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         which
                         God
                         hath
                         made
                         unto
                         him
                         as
                         a
                         token
                         of
                         his
                         uprightness
                         .
                         Sometimes
                         ,
                         when
                         a
                         man
                         is
                         entring
                         into
                         any
                         great
                         Temptation
                         ,
                         Trial
                         ,
                         difficult
                         or
                         dangerous
                         duty
                         ,
                         that
                         death
                         it self
                         is
                         feared
                         in
                         it
                         ,
                         God
                         comes
                         in
                         by
                         one
                         means
                         or
                         other
                         ,
                         by
                         a
                         secret
                         
                           intimation
                           of
                           his
                           Love
                        
                         ,
                         which
                         he
                         gives
                         him
                         to
                         take
                         along
                         with
                         him
                         for
                         his
                         furniture
                         and
                         provision
                         in
                         his
                         way
                         ,
                         and
                         thereby
                         testifies
                         to
                         him
                         his
                         Sincerity
                         .
                         And
                         this
                         serves
                         like
                         the
                         
                           food
                           of
                           Elijah
                        
                         for
                         forty
                         daies
                         in
                         a
                         wilderness
                         condition
                         .
                         Sometimes
                         he
                         is
                         pleased
                         to
                         shine
                         immediately
                         into
                         the
                         soul
                         in
                         the
                         midst
                         of
                         its
                         darkness
                         and
                         sorrow
                         wherewith
                         it
                         is
                         surprized
                         ,
                         as
                         not
                         looking
                         for
                         any
                         such
                         expression
                         of
                         kindness
                         ,
                         and
                         is
                         thereby
                         relieved
                         against
                         its
                         own
                         pressing
                         self-condemnation
                         .
                         And
                         sometimes
                         the
                         Lord
                         is
                         pleased
                         to
                         give
                         these
                         tokens
                         of
                         Love
                         unto
                         the
                         soul
                         as
                         its
                         refreshment
                         ,
                         when
                         it
                         is
                         coming
                         off
                         from
                         the
                         storm
                         of
                         Temptations
                         wherewith
                         it
                         hath
                         been
                         tossed
                         .
                         And
                         many
                         other
                         times
                         and
                         seasons
                         there
                         are
                         wherein
                         God
                         is
                         pleased
                         to
                         give
                         unto
                         Believers
                         some
                         
                           Especial
                           Testimony
                        
                         in
                         their
                         consciences
                         unto
                         their
                         own
                         Integrity
                         .
                         But
                         now
                         these
                         are
                         all
                         wrought
                         by
                         
                           a
                           transient
                           operation
                        
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         exciting
                         and
                         enabling
                         the
                         heart
                         unto
                         a
                         spiritual
                         sensible
                         apprehension
                         and
                         receiving
                         of
                         Gods
                         expressing
                         kindness
                         towards
                         it
                         .
                         These
                         things
                         abide
                         not
                         in
                         
                           their
                           sense
                        
                         ,
                         and
                         in
                         their
                         power
                         which
                         they
                         have
                         upon
                         our
                         Affections
                         ,
                         but
                         immediately
                         pass
                         away
                         .
                         They
                         are
                         therefore
                         to
                         be
                         treasured
                         up
                         in
                         the
                         mind
                         and
                         judgement
                         ,
                         to
                         be
                         improved
                         and
                         made
                         use
                         of
                         by
                         Faith
                         ,
                         as
                         occasion
                         shall
                         require
                         ;
                         but
                         we
                         are
                         apt
                         to
                         lose
                         them
                         .
                         Most
                         know
                         no
                         other
                         use
                         of
                         them
                         ,
                         but
                         whilst
                         they
                         feel
                         them
                         ;
                         yea
                         ,
                         through
                         ignorance
                         in
                         our
                         duty
                         to
                         improve
                         them
                         ,
                         they
                         prove
                         like
                         a
                         sudden
                         light
                         brought
                         into
                         a
                         dark
                         place
                         ,
                         and
                         again
                         removed
                         ,
                         which
                         seems
                         to
                         increase
                         ,
                         and
                         really
                         aggravates
                         our
                         sense
                         of
                         the
                         darkness
                         .
                         The
                         true
                         Use
                         of
                         them
                         is
                         to
                         lay
                         them
                         up
                         ,
                         and
                         ponder
                         them
                         in
                         our
                         hearts
                         ,
                         that
                         they
                         may
                         be
                         Supportments
                         and
                         Testimonies
                         unto
                         us
                         in
                         a
                         time
                         of
                         need
                         .
                         Have
                         you
                         then
                         ,
                         who
                         are
                         now
                         in
                         the
                         dark
                         as
                         to
                         your
                         state
                         or
                         condition
                         ,
                         whether
                         you
                         are
                         Regenerate
                         or
                         no
                         ,
                         ever
                         received
                         any
                         such
                         refreshing
                         and
                         chearing
                         Testimony
                         from
                         God
                         given
                         unto
                         your
                         Integrity
                         ,
                         and
                         your
                         Acceptance
                         with
                         him
                         thereupon
                         ;
                         call
                         it
                         over
                         again
                         ,
                         and
                         make
                         use
                         of
                         it
                         against
                         those
                         discouragements
                         
                         which
                         arise
                         from
                         your
                         present
                         darkness
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ,
                         and
                         which
                         keeps
                         you
                         off
                         from
                         sharing
                         in
                         the
                         consolation
                         tendred
                         unto
                         you
                         in
                         this
                         Word
                         of
                         Grace
                         .
                      
                    
                     
                       
                         RULE
                         IV.
                         
                      
                       
                         
                           A
                           due
                           spiritual
                           Consideration
                           of
                           the
                           Causes
                           and
                           Effects
                           of
                           Regeneration
                           ,
                           is
                           the
                           ordinary
                           way
                           and
                           means
                           whereby
                           the
                           souls
                           of
                           Believers
                           come
                           to
                           be
                           satisfied
                           concerning
                           that
                           work
                           of
                           God
                           in
                           them
                           and
                           upon
                           them
                           .
                        
                         The
                         principle
                         or
                         causes
                         of
                         this
                         work
                         ,
                         are
                         the
                         Spirit
                         and
                         the
                         Word
                         .
                         He
                         that
                         is
                         
                           born
                           again
                           ,
                           is
                           born
                           of
                           the
                           Spirit
                           ,
                        
                         Joh.
                         3.
                         6.
                         and
                         of
                         the
                         Word
                         ;
                         
                           Of
                           his
                           own
                           Will
                           begat
                           he
                           us
                           by
                           the
                           word
                           of
                           his
                           Truth
                           ,
                        
                         Jam.
                         1.
                         18.
                         
                         
                           We
                           are
                           born
                           again
                           by
                           the
                           Word
                           of
                           God
                           that
                           abideth
                           for
                           ever
                           ,
                        
                         1
                         Pet.
                         1.
                         23.
                         
                         Where
                         ever
                         then
                         a
                         man
                         is
                         regenerate
                         ,
                         there
                         hath
                         been
                         an
                         effectual
                         work
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         ,
                         and
                         of
                         the
                         Word
                         upon
                         his
                         soul.
                         This
                         is
                         to
                         be
                         inquired
                         into
                         ,
                         and
                         after
                         .
                         Ordinarily
                         it
                         will
                         discover
                         it self
                         .
                         Such
                         impressions
                         will
                         be
                         made
                         in
                         it
                         upon
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         such
                         a
                         change
                         will
                         be
                         wrought
                         and
                         produced
                         in
                         it
                         ,
                         as
                         will
                         not
                         escape
                         a
                         spiritual
                         diligent
                         search
                         and
                         enquiry
                         .
                         And
                         this
                         is
                         much
                         of
                         the
                         duty
                         of
                         such
                         as
                         are
                         in
                         the
                         dark
                         ,
                         and
                         uncertain
                         concerning
                         the
                         accomplishment
                         of
                         
                           this
                           work
                        
                         in
                         themselves
                         .
                         Let
                         them
                         call
                         to
                         mind
                         what
                         have
                         been
                         the
                         actings
                         of
                         the
                         Spirit
                         by
                         the
                         Word
                         upon
                         their
                         souls
                         .
                         What
                         Light
                         thereby
                         hath
                         been
                         communicated
                         unto
                         their
                         minds
                         ;
                         what
                         discoveries
                         of
                         the
                         Lord
                         Christ
                         and
                         way
                         of
                         Salvation
                         have
                         been
                         made
                         to
                         them
                         ;
                         what
                         sense
                         and
                         detestation
                         of
                         sin
                         have
                         been
                         wrought
                         in
                         them
                         ;
                         what
                         satisfaction
                         hath
                         been
                         given
                         unto
                         the
                         soul
                         ,
                         to
                         chuse
                         ,
                         accept
                         ,
                         and
                         acquiesce
                         in
                         the
                         Righteousness
                         of
                         Christ
                         ;
                         what
                         Resignation
                         of
                         the
                         heart
                         unto
                         God
                         according
                         to
                         the
                         tenor
                         of
                         the
                         Covenant
                         of
                         Grace
                         ,
                         it
                         hath
                         been
                         wrought
                         unto
                         ;
                         Call
                         to
                         mind
                         what
                         Transactions
                         there
                         have
                         been
                         between
                         God
                         and
                         your
                         souls
                         about
                         these
                         things
                         ;
                         how
                         far
                         they
                         have
                         been
                         carryed
                         on
                         ;
                         whether
                         you
                         have
                         broken
                         off
                         the
                         Treaty
                         with
                         God
                         ,
                         and
                         refused
                         his
                         Terms
                         ;
                         or
                         if
                         not
                         ,
                         where
                         the
                         stay
                         is
                         between
                         you
                         ;
                         and
                         what
                         is
                         the
                         Reason
                         since
                         God
                         hath
                         graciously
                         begun
                         to
                         deal
                         thus
                         with
                         you
                         ,
                         that
                         you
                         are
                         not
                         yet
                         come
                         to
                         a
                         through
                         close
                         with
                         him
                         in
                         the
                         work
                         and
                         design
                         of
                         his
                         Grace
                         ;
                         the
                         defect
                         must
                         of
                         necessity
                         lye
                         on
                         your
                         parts
                         .
                         God
                         
                         doth
                         nothing
                         in
                         vain
                         :
                         Had
                         he
                         not
                         been
                         willing
                         to
                         receive
                         you
                         ,
                         he
                         would
                         not
                         have
                         dealt
                         with
                         you
                         so
                         far
                         as
                         he
                         hath
                         done
                         .
                         There
                         is
                         nothing
                         then
                         remains
                         to
                         firm
                         your
                         condition
                         but
                         a
                         resolved
                         Act
                         of
                         your
                         own
                         Wills
                         in
                         answering
                         the
                         mind
                         and
                         will
                         of
                         God.
                         And
                         by
                         this
                         search
                         may
                         the
                         soul
                         come
                         to
                         satisfaction
                         in
                         this
                         matter
                         ;
                         or
                         at
                         least
                         find
                         out
                         and
                         discover
                         where
                         the
                         stick
                         is
                         whence
                         their
                         uncertainty
                         doth
                         arise
                         ,
                         and
                         what
                         is
                         wanting
                         to
                         compleat
                         their
                         desires
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 Again
                 ,
                 this
                 work
                 may
                 be
                 discovered
                 by
                 its
                 Effects
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 something
                 that
                 is
                 produced
                 by
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 also
                 be
                 considered
                 either
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 its
                 Being
                 and
                 Existence
                 ,
                 or
                 unto
                 its
                 Actings
                 and
                 Operations
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 regard
                 it
                 
                   is
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   That
                   which
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 produced
                 by
                 the
                 effectual
                 operation
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   Spirit
                
                 ;
                 A
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 who
                 is
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   a
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 life
                 ,
                 a
                 spiritual
                 life
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 20.
                 
                 Ephes.
                 2.
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 brief
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 habitual
                 furnishment
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 faculties
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 with
                 new
                 spiritual
                 vital
                 principles
                 ,
                 enabling
                 a
                 person
                 in
                 all
                 instances
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 to
                 lead
                 a
                 spiritual
                 life
                 unto
                 God.
                 This
                 principle
                 is
                 by
                 this
                 work
                 produced
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 its
                 Actings
                 ,
                 it
                 consists
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 gracious
                 operations
                 of
                 the
                 Mind
                 ,
                 Will
                 ,
                 Heart
                 or
                 Affections
                 in
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 Obedience
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 gives
                 life
                 unto
                 our
                 duties
                 (
                 without
                 which
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 our
                 works
                 are
                 but
                 
                   dead
                   works
                
                 )
                 and
                 renders
                 them
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   Living
                   God.
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 my
                 business
                 at
                 large
                 to
                 pursue
                 and
                 declare
                 these
                 things
                 ;
                 I
                 only
                 
                   mention
                   them
                
                 ,
                 that
                 persons
                 who
                 are
                 kept
                 back
                 from
                 a
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 Consolation
                 tendred
                 from
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 cannot
                 comfortably
                 conclude
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                   born
                   again
                
                 ,
                 as
                 knowing
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 unto
                 such
                 persons
                 alone
                 unto
                 whom
                 these
                 Consolations
                 do
                 truly
                 and
                 really
                 belong
                 ,
                 may
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 right
                 judgement
                 of
                 themselves
                 .
                 Let
                 such
                 persons
                 then
                 not
                 fluctuate
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 in
                 Generals
                 and
                 Uncertainties
                 ,
                 with
                 heartless
                 complaints
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 ruine
                 of
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 ;
                 but
                 let
                 them
                 really
                 put
                 things
                 to
                 the
                 trial
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 examination
                 of
                 the
                 Causes
                 and
                 Effects
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 they
                 enquire
                 after
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 such
                 means
                 whereby
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 
                 pleased
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 all
                 the
                 Assurance
                 and
                 Establishment
                 concerning
                 their
                 State
                 and
                 Condition
                 which
                 is
                 needfull
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 may
                 give
                 them
                 incouragement
                 in
                 their
                 course
                 of
                 obedience
                 .
                 But
                 supposing
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 ;
                 what
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 by
                 the
                 utmost
                 search
                 and
                 enquiry
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 ,
                 cannot
                 attain
                 any
                 satisfactory
                 perswasion
                 that
                 indeed
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 Gods
                 Grace
                 hath
                 passed
                 upon
                 his
                 soul
                 ;
                 is
                 this
                 a
                 sufficient
                 ground
                 to
                 keep
                 him
                 off
                 from
                 accepting
                 of
                 supportment
                 and
                 consolation
                 from
                 this
                 Truth
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 design
                 of
                 the
                 Objection
                 laid
                 down
                 before
                 ?
                 I
                 say
                 therefore
                 further
                 ,
                 that
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Regeneration
                   doth
                   not
                   in
                   Order
                   of
                   time
                   precede
                   the
                   souls
                   interest
                   in
                   the
                   forgiveness
                   that
                   is
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 or
                 its
                 being
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 I
                 say
                 no
                 more
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 precede
                 it
                 in
                 
                   order
                   of
                   time
                
                 ,
                 not
                 determining
                 which
                 hath
                 precedency
                 in
                 
                   order
                   of
                   nature
                
                 .
                 That
                 ,
                 I
                 confess
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 method
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 leads
                 unto
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 Absolution
                 ,
                 Acquitment
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 communication
                 of
                 all
                 saving
                 Grace
                 unto
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 precedeth
                 all
                 Grace
                 in
                 the
                 sinner
                 whatever
                 .
                 But
                 because
                 this
                 Absolution
                 or
                 pardon
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 received
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 really
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 benefits
                 belonging
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 faith
                 also
                 is
                 the
                 radical
                 grace
                 which
                 we
                 receive
                 in
                 our
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 by
                 faith
                 that
                 our
                 hearts
                 are
                 purified
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Instrument
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 purifier
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 I
                 place
                 these
                 two
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 dispute
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 priority
                 in
                 nature
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 time
                 the
                 one
                 doth
                 not
                 precede
                 the
                 other
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 hence
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 an
                 Assurance
                 of
                 being
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 previously
                 necessary
                 unto
                 the
                 believing
                 of
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 although
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 his
                 duty
                 to
                 endeavour
                 the
                 latter
                 .
                 When
                 convinced
                 persons
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 do
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 !
                 the
                 answer
                 was
                 ,
                 believe
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 ;
                 Believe
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 remission
                 of
                 sin
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 thing
                 that
                 convinced
                 sinners
                 are
                 called
                 unto
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 directed
                 first
                 to
                 secure
                 their
                 souls
                 that
                 
                   they
                   are
                   born
                   again
                
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 afterwards
                 to
                 believe
                 .
                 But
                 they
                 are
                 first
                 to
                 believe
                 that
                 the
                 Remission
                 of
                 sin
                 
                 is
                 tendred
                 unto
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 him
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 justified
                 from
                 all
                 things
                 from
                 which
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 justified
                 by
                 the
                 Law.
                 Nor
                 upon
                 this
                 proposition
                 is
                 it
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 men
                 to
                 question
                 whether
                 they
                 have
                 faith
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 but
                 actually
                 to
                 believe
                 .
                 And
                 faith
                 in
                 its
                 operation
                 will
                 evidence
                 it self
                 .
                 See
                 Acts
                 13.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
                 Suppose
                 then
                 that
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 know
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 no
                 prevailing
                 ,
                 refreshing
                 constant
                 evidence
                 or
                 perswasion
                 thereof
                 ;
                 should
                 this
                 hinder
                 you
                 ?
                 should
                 this
                 discourage
                 you
                 from
                 believing
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 from
                 closing
                 with
                 the
                 promises
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 obtaining
                 in
                 your selves
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 Not
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 Nay
                 ,
                 this
                 ought
                 exceedingly
                 to
                 excite
                 and
                 stir
                 you
                 up
                 unto
                 your
                 duty
                 herein
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Suppose
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 that
                 indeed
                 you
                 are
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 only
                 brought
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Light
                 and
                 Conviction
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 for
                 a
                 translation
                 into
                 an
                 estate
                 of
                 spiritual
                 life
                 and
                 Grace
                 :
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 forbear
                 the
                 acting
                 of
                 faith
                 upon
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 until
                 you
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 ,
                 and
                 probably
                 you
                 will
                 come
                 short
                 both
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 and
                 Regeneration
                 also
                 .
                 Here
                 lay
                 your
                 foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 your
                 building
                 will
                 go
                 on
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 open
                 the
                 door
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 you
                 an
                 entrance
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 door
                 ;
                 do
                 not
                 think
                 to
                 climb
                 up
                 over
                 the
                 wall
                 ;
                 enter
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 kept
                 out
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Suppose
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 
                   know
                   it
                   not
                
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 many
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 whereby
                 you
                 may
                 receive
                 an
                 evidence
                 thereof
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 embracing
                 of
                 all
                 signs
                 ,
                 tokens
                 and
                 pledges
                 of
                 our
                 spiritual
                 condition
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 to
                 improve
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 best
                 course
                 is
                 to
                 follow
                 the
                 genuine
                 natural
                 actings
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 lead
                 us
                 into
                 the
                 most
                 setled
                 apprehensions
                 concerning
                 our
                 Relation
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 acceptance
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Believe
                 first
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 as
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 meer
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 in
                 Christ.
                 Let
                 the
                 faith
                 hereof
                 be
                 nourished
                 and
                 strengthened
                 in
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 insensibly
                 influence
                 your
                 hearts
                 into
                 a
                 comforting
                 Gospel
                 perswasion
                 of
                 your
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 accompanied
                 with
                 assured
                 rest
                 and
                 peace
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 winde
                 up
                 this
                 discourse
                 ;
                 remember
                 ,
                 that
                 that
                 which
                 
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 with
                 reference
                 unto
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 in
                 General
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 applyed
                 unto
                 every
                 particular
                 objection
                 or
                 cause
                 of
                 fear
                 or
                 discouragement
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 reduced
                 to
                 that
                 head
                 .
                 Such
                 are
                 all
                 Objections
                 that
                 arise
                 from
                 particular
                 sins
                 ,
                 from
                 Aggravations
                 of
                 sin
                 by
                 their
                 greatness
                 or
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 or
                 relapses
                 into
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 way
                 that
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 prevail
                 upon
                 the
                 mind
                 unto
                 fears
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 begetting
                 an
                 apprehension
                 in
                 men
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 Regenerate
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 they
                 suppose
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 overtaken
                 or
                 entangled
                 .
                 The
                 Rules
                 therefore
                 laid
                 down
                 are
                 suited
                 to
                 the
                 streights
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 sinners
                 in
                 all
                 such
                 particular
                 cases
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 There
                 was
                 somewhat
                 in
                 particular
                 added
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 the
                 Objection
                 ,
                 which
                 although
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 directly
                 in
                 our
                 way
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 any
                 great
                 importance
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 yet
                 having
                 been
                 mentioned
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 unmeet
                 to
                 remove
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 not
                 leave
                 intanglement
                 upon
                 the
                 minds
                 of
                 any
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 
                   know
                   not
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Time
                   of
                   their
                   conversion
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 therefore
                 cannot
                 be
                 satisfied
                 that
                 the
                 saving
                 work
                 of
                 his
                 grace
                 hath
                 passed
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 usually
                 and
                 ordinarily
                 spoken
                 unto
                 ,
                 And
                 I
                 shall
                 therefore
                 briefly
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 concerning
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 things
                 whereon
                 we
                 may
                 regularly
                 found
                 a
                 Judgement
                 concerning
                 our selves
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 great
                 folly
                 to
                 wave
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 upon
                 one
                 circumstance
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 a
                 tryal
                 at
                 law
                 wherein
                 he
                 hath
                 many
                 evidences
                 speaking
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 only
                 one
                 circumstance
                 is
                 dubious
                 and
                 in
                 question
                 ;
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 cast
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 his
                 Cause
                 on
                 that
                 disputed
                 circumstance
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 plead
                 those
                 Evidences
                 that
                 are
                 more
                 clear
                 ,
                 and
                 testifie
                 more
                 fully
                 in
                 his
                 behalf
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 deny
                 but
                 that
                 this
                 matter
                 of
                 the
                 
                   time
                   of
                   conversion
                
                 is
                 oftimes
                 an
                 important
                 circumstance
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 affirmative
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 known
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 great
                 use
                 tending
                 to
                 stability
                 and
                 consolation
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 still
                 but
                 a
                 circumstance
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 being
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 doth
                 not
                 depend
                 upon
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 alive
                 may
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 born
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 know
                 neither
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 may
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 
                   spiritually
                   alive
                
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 ground
                 of
                 evidence
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   born
                   again
                
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 knew
                 neither
                 
                 when
                 ,
                 nor
                 where
                 ,
                 nor
                 how
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Case
                 is
                 usual
                 in
                 persons
                 of
                 quiet
                 natural
                 Tempers
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 had
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 education
                 under
                 means
                 of
                 light
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
                 God
                 ofttimes
                 in
                 such
                 persons
                 begins
                 and
                 carries
                 on
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 insensibly
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 good
                 growth
                 and
                 maturity
                 before
                 they
                 know
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 alive
                 .
                 Such
                 persons
                 come
                 at
                 length
                 to
                 be
                 satisfied
                 in
                 saying
                 with
                 the
                 blind
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 
                   How
                   our
                   eyes
                   were
                   opened
                   we
                   know
                   not
                   ,
                   only
                   one
                   thing
                   we
                   know
                   ,
                   whereas
                   we
                   were
                   blind
                   by
                   nature
                   ,
                   now
                   we
                   see
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Even
                 in
                 
                   this
                   matter
                
                 also
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 believe
                 as
                 well
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 
                   in
                   us
                
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 matter
                 and
                 subject
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 as
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 
                   done
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 the
                 ground
                 whereof
                 also
                 is
                 the
                 promise
                 and
                 nothing
                 else
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Objections
                   from
                   the
                   present
                   state
                   and
                   Condition
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                   :
                   Weakness
                   and
                   imperfection
                   of
                   Duty
                   .
                   Opposition
                   from
                   Indwelling
                   Sin.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                 3.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 another
                 Head
                 of
                 Objections
                 against
                 the
                 souls
                 receiving
                 Consolation
                 from
                 an
                 
                   interest
                   in
                   forgiveness
                
                 arising
                 from
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 its
                 present
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 
                   actual
                   Holiness
                
                 ,
                 Duties
                 and
                 sins
                 .
                 Souls
                 complain
                 when
                 in
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 Temptations
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 find
                 that
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 nor
                 those
                 fruits
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 suppose
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 pardoning
                 mercy
                 will
                 produce
                 .
                 Their
                 hearts
                 they
                 find
                 are
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 their
                 Duties
                 worthless
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 were
                 weighed
                 in
                 the
                 ballance
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 all
                 found
                 too
                 light
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 them
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 mixture
                 of
                 
                   Self
                   ,
                   Hypocrisie
                
                 ,
                 Unbelief
                 ,
                 vain
                 Glory
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 even
                 ashamed
                 and
                 confounded
                 with
                 the
                 Remembrance
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 These
                 things
                 fill
                 them
                 with
                 discouragements
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 refuse
                 to
                 be
                 comforted
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 entertain
                 any
                 refreshing
                 perswasion
                 from
                 the
                 Truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 ;
                 but
                 rather
                 conclude
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 utter
                 strangers
                 from
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 continue
                 helpless
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 .
              
               
                 According
                 unto
                 the
                 method
                 proposed
                 ,
                 and
                 hitherto
                 pursued
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 lay
                 down
                 some
                 such
                 
                   general
                   Rules
                
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 support
                 
                 a
                 soul
                 under
                 the
                 despondencies
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 apt
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 to
                 befall
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 may
                 weaken
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 endeavour
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 proper
                 place
                 to
                 put
                 in
                 execution
                 our
                 seventh
                 Rule
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 
                   heed
                   of
                   heartless
                   complaints
                   ,
                   when
                   vigorous
                   actings
                   of
                   Grace
                   are
                   expected
                   at
                   our
                   hands
                   .
                
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 indeed
                 ,
                 why
                 lye
                 you
                 on
                 your
                 faces
                 ,
                 why
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 rise
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 out
                 your selves
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 ,
                 giving
                 all
                 diligence
                 to
                 add
                 one
                 Grace
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 untill
                 you
                 find
                 your selves
                 in
                 a
                 better
                 frame
                 .
                 Supposing
                 then
                 the
                 putting
                 of
                 that
                 Rule
                 into
                 practice
                 ,
                 I
                 add
                 ,
                 that
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Known
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   is
                   apt
                   to
                   degenerate
                   into
                   self
                   righteousness
                   .
                
                 What
                 God
                 gives
                 us
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 ready
                 enough
                 to
                 reckon
                 on
                 the
                 score
                 of
                 Justification
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 hard
                 thing
                 to
                 feel
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 believe
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 none
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 Pharisee
                 in
                 us
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 sometimes
                 well
                 that
                 our
                 Good
                 is
                 hid
                 from
                 us
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 take
                 our
                 Corn
                 and
                 Wine
                 and
                 bestow
                 them
                 on
                 other
                 Lovers
                 .
                 Were
                 there
                 not
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 a
                 
                   spiritually
                   sensible
                
                 principle
                 of
                 corruption
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 our
                 duties
                 a
                 discernable
                 mixture
                 of
                 self
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 impossible
                 we
                 should
                 walk
                 so
                 humbly
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 required
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 hold
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 pardoning
                 mercy
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 attended
                 with
                 a
                 faith
                 of
                 Rightcousness
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 corruption
                 .
                 Whilest
                 I
                 know
                 Christs
                 .
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 the
                 less
                 care
                 to
                 know
                 my
                 own
                 Holiness
                 .
                 To
                 
                   be
                   holy
                
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   know
                   it
                
                 sometimes
                 a
                 Temptation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Even
                   Duties
                   of
                   Gods
                   Appointment
                   when
                   turned
                   into
                   self-righteousness
                   are
                   Gods
                   great
                   abhorrency
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 66.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 What
                 hath
                 a
                 good
                 Original
                 may
                 be
                 vitiated
                 by
                 a
                 bad
                 End.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Oftentimes
                 
                   Holiness
                   in
                   the
                   heart
                   is
                   more
                   known
                   by
                   the
                   Opposition
                   that
                   is
                   made
                   there
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   than
                   by
                   its
                   own
                   prevalent
                   working
                
                 ;
                 The
                 Spirits
                 Operation
                 is
                 known
                 by
                 the
                 flesh's
                 opposition
                 .
                 We
                 find
                 a
                 mans
                 strength
                 by
                 the
                 burdens
                 he
                 carryes
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 pace
                 that
                 he
                 goes
                 .
                 
                   Oh
                   ,
                   wretched
                   man
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   who
                   shall
                   deliver
                   me
                   from
                   the
                   body
                   of
                   this
                   death
                   ,
                
                 is
                 a
                 better
                 evidence
                 of
                 Grace
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 than
                 
                   God
                   I
                   thank
                   thee
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   as
                   other
                   men
                
                 ;
                 a
                 heart
                 pressed
                 ,
                 grieved
                 ,
                 burdened
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 only
                 ,
                 which
                 reflects
                 with
                 trouble
                 on
                 an
                 awakened
                 
                 conscience
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 close
                 adhering
                 
                   power
                   of
                   Indwelling
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 tempting
                 ,
                 seducing
                 ,
                 soliciting
                 ,
                 hindring
                 ,
                 captivating
                 ,
                 conceiving
                 ,
                 restlesly
                 disquieting
                 may
                 ,
                 from
                 thence
                 have
                 as
                 clear
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 a
                 delightful
                 fruit-bearing
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 is
                 troubled
                 and
                 grieved
                 in
                 thee
                 ;
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 almost
                 killed
                 ,
                 and
                 destroyed
                 ;
                 that
                 crys
                 out
                 ,
                 complains
                 ,
                 longs
                 for
                 deliverance
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   new
                   Creature
                
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 principle
                 of
                 spiritual
                 life
                 ,
                 whereof
                 thou
                 art
                 partaker
                 ?
                 I
                 speak
                 not
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 disquietments
                 for
                 sin
                 committed
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 fears
                 and
                 perturbations
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 left
                 sin
                 should
                 break
                 forth
                 to
                 loss
                 ,
                 shame
                 ,
                 ruine
                 ,
                 dishonour
                 ;
                 nor
                 of
                 the
                 contending
                 of
                 a
                 convinced
                 Conscience
                 lest
                 Damnation
                 should
                 ensue
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 striving
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 hatred
                 and
                 a
                 loathing
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 mixt
                 Considerations
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Fear
                 ,
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Excellency
                 of
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 proposed
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 seemest
                 to
                 thy self
                 to
                 be
                 only
                 passive
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 endure
                 the
                 Assaults
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 Yet
                 if
                 thou
                 art
                 sensible
                 ,
                 and
                 standest
                 under
                 the
                 stroke
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 under
                 the
                 stroke
                 of
                 an
                 Enemy
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 thus
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 substance
                 and
                 Being
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 also
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 degrees
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Degrees
                 of
                 Holiness
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 measured
                 more
                 by
                 Opposition
                 ,
                 than
                 self
                 operation
                 .
                 He
                 may
                 have
                 more
                 Grace
                 ,
                 than
                 another
                 ;
                 who
                 brings
                 not
                 forth
                 so
                 much
                 fruit
                 as
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 more
                 opposition
                 ,
                 more
                 Temptation
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 41.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 sign
                 of
                 somewhat
                 in
                 the
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 to
                 what
                 was
                 alledged
                 to
                 the
                 nothingness
                 ,
                 the
                 selfishness
                 of
                 Duty
                 ;
                 I
                 say
                 ,
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 certain
                 
                   whilest
                   we
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                   our
                   duties
                   will
                   taste
                   of
                   the
                   vessel
                   whence
                   they
                   proceed
                   .
                
                 Weakness
                 ,
                 defilements
                 ,
                 treachery
                 ,
                 hypocrisie
                 will
                 attend
                 them
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 purpose
                 whatever
                 some
                 pretend
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Complaint
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 64.
                 6.
                 
                 The
                 Chaffe
                 oftentimes
                 is
                 so
                 mixed
                 with
                 the
                 Wheat
                 that
                 Corn
                 can
                 scarce
                 be
                 discerned
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 spiritual
                 any
                 man
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 be
                 sees
                 of
                 his
                 unspiritualness
                 in
                 his
                 spiritual
                 Duties
                 .
                 An
                 outside
                 performance
                 will
                 satisfie
                 an
                 outside
                 Christian.
                 Job
                 abhorred
                 himself
                 
                 most
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 knew
                 himself
                 best
                 .
                 The
                 clearer
                 discoveries
                 we
                 have
                 had
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 viler
                 will
                 every
                 thing
                 of
                 self
                 appear
                 .
                 Nay
                 further
                 ,
                 duties
                 and
                 performances
                 are
                 oftentimes
                 very
                 
                   ill
                   measured
                
                 by
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 first
                 ,
                 which
                 indeed
                 are
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 to
                 be
                 last
                 ,
                 which
                 indeed
                 are
                 first
                 .
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 doubt
                 but
                 a
                 man
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 had
                 distractions
                 to
                 wrestle
                 withall
                 ,
                 no
                 outward
                 advantage
                 to
                 further
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 extraordinary
                 provocations
                 of
                 hope
                 ,
                 fear
                 or
                 sorrow
                 on
                 a
                 natural
                 account
                 in
                 his
                 duty
                 ,
                 may
                 rise
                 from
                 his
                 knees
                 with
                 thoughts
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 nothing
                 in
                 his
                 duty
                 but
                 provoked
                 God
                 ;
                 when
                 there
                 hath
                 been
                 more
                 workings
                 of
                 Grace
                 in
                 contending
                 with
                 the
                 deadness
                 cast
                 on
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 the
                 condition
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 by
                 a
                 concurrence
                 of
                 moved
                 natural
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 outward
                 provocations
                 ,
                 a
                 frame
                 hath
                 been
                 raised
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 to
                 the
                 party
                 himself
                 seemed
                 to
                 reach
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 this
                 perplexity
                 about
                 duties
                 ,
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 obstruction
                 to
                 peace
                 and
                 settlement
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 to
                 the
                 pretence
                 of
                 Hypocrisie
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 what
                 is
                 usually
                 answered
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 
                   one
                   thing
                
                 to
                 do
                 a
                 thing
                 
                   in
                   hypocrisie
                
                 ,
                 another
                 not
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 
                   without
                   a
                   mixture
                   of
                   hypocrisie
                
                 .
                 Hypocrisie
                 in
                 its
                 long
                 extent
                 is
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 for
                 matter
                 or
                 manner
                 comes
                 short
                 of
                 sincerity
                 .
                 Now
                 our
                 sincerity
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 perfect
                 than
                 our
                 other
                 graces
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 in
                 its
                 measure
                 it
                 abides
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 adheres
                 to
                 all
                 we
                 do
                 :
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 to
                 do
                 a
                 thing
                 for
                 vain
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 another
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 wholly
                 to
                 keep
                 off
                 the
                 subtle
                 insinuations
                 of
                 self
                 and
                 
                   vain
                   glory
                
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 doth
                 a
                 thing
                 
                   in
                   hypocrisie
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   for
                   vain
                   glory
                
                 ,
                 is
                 satisfied
                 with
                 some
                 corrupt
                 end
                 obtained
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 be
                 sensible
                 that
                 he
                 sought
                 such
                 an
                 end
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 doth
                 a
                 thing
                 with
                 
                   a
                   mixture
                   of
                   hypocrisie
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 with
                 some
                 breaches
                 upon
                 the
                 degrees
                 of
                 his
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 with
                 some
                 insensible
                 advancements
                 in
                 performance
                 on
                 outward
                 considerations
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 satisfied
                 with
                 
                   a
                   self
                   end
                
                 attained
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 dissatisfied
                 with
                 the
                 defect
                 of
                 his
                 sincerity
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 yet
                 be
                 sincere
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 endeavour
                 so
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 private
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 publick
                 performances
                 ;
                 in
                 praying
                 ,
                 hearing
                 ,
                 giving
                 alms
                 ,
                 zealous
                 actings
                 for
                 Gods
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 though
                 these
                 duties
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 done
                 without
                 sensible
                 hypocrisie
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 as
                 traced
                 to
                 its
                 most
                 subtle
                 insinuations
                 of
                 self
                 and
                 vain
                 glory
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 done
                 in
                 hypocrisie
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 not
                 denominate
                 the
                 persons
                 by
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 performed
                 hypocrites
                 ;
                 Yet
                 I
                 say
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 spoken
                 before
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 use
                 to
                 relieve
                 us
                 under
                 a
                 troubled
                 condition
                 ,
                 of
                 none
                 to
                 support
                 us
                 or
                 incourage
                 us
                 unto
                 an
                 abode
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Know
                 
                   that
                   God
                   despiseth
                   not
                   small
                   things
                
                 ;
                 he
                 takes
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 breathings
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 our selves
                 can
                 see
                 nor
                 perceive
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 He
                 knows
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 in
                 those
                 workings
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 never
                 formed
                 to
                 that
                 height
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 reflect
                 upon
                 them
                 with
                 our
                 observation
                 .
                 Every
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 noted
                 in
                 
                   his
                   Book
                
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 in
                 ours
                 .
                 He
                 took
                 notice
                 that
                 when
                 Sarah
                 was
                 acting
                 unbelief
                 towards
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 she
                 shewed
                 respect
                 and
                 regard
                 to
                 her
                 Husband
                 ,
                 calling
                 him
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 18.
                 12.
                 1
                 
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 even
                 whilst
                 his
                 people
                 are
                 sinning
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 find
                 something
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 words
                 or
                 waies
                 that
                 pleaseth
                 him
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 in
                 their
                 duties
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 a
                 skilfull
                 refiner
                 that
                 can
                 find
                 
                   much
                   Gold
                
                 in
                 that
                 Ore
                 where
                 we
                 see
                 nothing
                 but
                 Lead
                 or
                 Clay
                 .
                 He
                 remembers
                 the
                 duties
                 which
                 we
                 forget
                 ,
                 and
                 forgets
                 the
                 sins
                 which
                 we
                 remember
                 .
                 He
                 justifies
                 our
                 persons
                 though
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 also
                 our
                 duties
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 
                   perfectly
                   godly
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 To
                 give
                 a
                 little
                 further
                 support
                 in
                 reference
                 unto
                 our
                 wretched
                 miserable
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 perplexities
                 on
                 that
                 account
                 ,
                 know
                 that
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   takes
                   out
                   whatever
                   is
                   evil
                   and
                   unsavoury
                   out
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   makes
                   them
                   acceptable
                   .
                
                 When
                 an
                 unskilfull
                 servant
                 gathers
                 many
                 herbs
                 ,
                 flowers
                 and
                 weeds
                 in
                 a
                 Garden
                 ,
                 you
                 gather
                 them
                 out
                 that
                 are
                 usefull
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 the
                 rest
                 out
                 of
                 sight
                 .
                 Christ
                 deals
                 so
                 with
                 our
                 performances
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 ingredients
                 of
                 self
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 them
                 on
                 any
                 account
                 ,
                 he
                 takes
                 away
                 ,
                 and
                 adds
                 Incense
                 to
                 what
                 remains
                 ,
                 and
                 presents
                 it
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 28.
                 36.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 cause
                 that
                 the
                 Saints
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 when
                 they
                 
                   meet
                   their
                   own
                   duties
                
                 and
                 performances
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 changed
                 from
                 what
                 they
                 were
                 when
                 they
                 went
                 of
                 their
                 hand
                 .
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   when
                   saw
                   we
                   thee
                   naked
                   or
                   hungry
                   ,
                
                 so
                 that
                 God
                 accepts
                 
                   a
                   little
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 makes
                 
                   our
                   little
                
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 .
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Is
                   this
                   an
                   Argument
                   to
                   keep
                   thee
                   from
                   believing
                   ?
                
                 The
                 Reason
                 why
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 more
                 Holy
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 more
                 faith
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 holiness
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 saith
                 ;
                 Holiness
                 is
                 the
                 purifying
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 by
                 faith
                 ;
                 or
                 our
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 the
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 duty
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 believing
                 ;
                 the
                 reason
                 why
                 thy
                 duties
                 are
                 weak
                 and
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 thy
                 faith
                 is
                 weak
                 and
                 imperfect
                 .
                 Hast
                 thou
                 no
                 holiness
                 ,
                 believe
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 have
                 ;
                 hast
                 thou
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 imperceptible
                 ,
                 be
                 stedfast
                 in
                 believing
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 abound
                 in
                 Obedience
                 .
                 Do
                 not
                 resolve
                 not
                 to
                 eat
                 thy
                 meat
                 until
                 thou
                 art
                 strong
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 means
                 of
                 being
                 strong
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 eating
                 thy
                 bread
                 ,
                 which
                 strengthens
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 Object
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 powerfull
                 
                   tumulating
                   of
                   indwelling
                   sin
                   or
                   corruption
                   ,
                
                 is
                 another
                 cause
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 kind
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 despondency
                 .
                 
                   They
                   that
                   are
                   Christs
                   have
                   crucified
                   the
                   flesh
                   with
                   the
                   lusts
                   thereof
                   .
                
                 But
                 we
                 find
                 ,
                 say
                 some
                 ,
                 several
                 corruptions
                 working
                 effectually
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 carrying
                 us
                 captive
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 They
                 disquiet
                 with
                 their
                 power
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 with
                 their
                 guilt
                 .
                 Had
                 we
                 been
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 we
                 had
                 ere
                 this
                 been
                 more
                 set
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 .
                 Had
                 sin
                 been
                 
                   pardoned
                   fully
                
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 subdued
                 more
                 effectually
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 three
                 Considerations
                 which
                 make
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 indwelling
                 sin
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 perplexing
                 to
                 the
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Because
                 they
                 are
                 unexpected
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 looks
                 not
                 for
                 them
                 upon
                 the
                 first
                 great
                 conquest
                 made
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 universal
                 engagement
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 unto
                 God.
                 When
                 it
                 first
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sworn
                   ,
                   and
                   amstedfastly
                   purposed
                   to
                   keep
                   thy
                   righteous
                   Judgements
                
                 ;
                 commonly
                 there
                 is
                 peace
                 at
                 least
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 from
                 the
                 disturbing
                 vigorous
                 actings
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 many
                 Reasons
                 why
                 so
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 .
                 Old
                 things
                 are
                 then
                 passed
                 away
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 become
                 new
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 soul
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 that
                 universal
                 change
                 ,
                 is
                 utterly
                 turned
                 away
                 from
                 those
                 things
                 that
                 should
                 foment
                 ,
                 stir
                 up
                 ,
                 provoke
                 or
                 cherish
                 any
                 lust
                 or
                 temptation
                 .
                 Now
                 when
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 Advantages
                 are
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 sin
                 begins
                 to
                 stir
                 and
                 act
                 again
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 surprized
                 ,
                 and
                 thinks
                 the
                 work
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 passed
                 through
                 was
                 not
                 true
                 and
                 effectual
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 temporary
                 only
                 .
                 Yea
                 he
                 thinks
                 perhaps
                 that
                 sin
                 hath
                 
                   more
                   strength
                
                 than
                 it
                 had
                 before
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 more
                 sensible
                 than
                 he
                 was
                 before
                 .
                 As
                 one
                 that
                 hath
                 a
                 dead
                 arm
                 or
                 limb
                 whilst
                 it
                 is
                 mortified
                 ,
                 endures
                 deep
                 cuts
                 and
                 launcings
                 ,
                 and
                 feels
                 them
                 not
                 :
                 when
                 spirits
                 and
                 sense
                 are
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 place
                 again
                 ,
                 he
                 feels
                 the
                 least
                 cut
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 think
                 the
                 instruments
                 sharper
                 than
                 they
                 were
                 before
                 ,
                 when
                 all
                 the
                 difference
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 got
                 a
                 quickness
                 of
                 sense
                 ,
                 which
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 so
                 with
                 a
                 person
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ;
                 he
                 may
                 think
                 lust
                 more
                 powerfull
                 than
                 it
                 was
                 before
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 more
                 sensible
                 than
                 he
                 was
                 before
                 .
                 Yea
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Snake
                 or
                 Serpent
                 ;
                 you
                 may
                 pull
                 out
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 cut
                 it
                 into
                 many
                 pieces
                 ;
                 though
                 it
                 can
                 sting
                 mortally
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 nor
                 move
                 his
                 whole
                 body
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 will
                 move
                 in
                 all
                 its
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 an
                 appearance
                 of
                 
                   a
                   greater
                   motion
                
                 than
                 formerly
                 .
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 lust
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 hath
                 received
                 its
                 deaths
                 wound
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 cut
                 in
                 pieces
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 moves
                 in
                 so
                 many
                 parts
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 
                   amazes
                   him
                
                 that
                 hath
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 thus
                 coming
                 unexpectedly
                 ,
                 fills
                 the
                 spirit
                 oftentimes
                 with
                 disconsolation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 hath
                 also
                 in
                 its
                 actings
                 an
                 Universality
                 .
                 This
                 also
                 surprizeth
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 
                   an
                   universality
                
                 in
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 Believers
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 evil
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 move
                 to
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 good
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 attempt
                 to
                 hinder
                 ;
                 no
                 duty
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 defile
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 this
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 sanctified
                 but
                 in
                 part
                 ;
                 not
                 in
                 any
                 part
                 wholly
                 ,
                 though
                 savingly
                 and
                 truly
                 in
                 every
                 part
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 sin
                 remaining
                 in
                 every
                 faculty
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Affections
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 may
                 be
                 acting
                 in
                 and
                 towards
                 any
                 sin
                 that
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 man
                 is
                 liable
                 unto
                 .
                 Degrees
                 of
                 sin
                 there
                 are
                 that
                 all
                 Regenerate
                 persons
                 are
                 exempted
                 from
                 ;
                 but
                 unto
                 solicitations
                 to
                 all
                 kinds
                 of
                 sin
                 they
                 are
                 exposed
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 helps
                 on
                 the
                 Temptation
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   endless
                   and
                   restless
                
                 ;
                 never
                 quiet
                 conquering
                 nor
                 conquered
                 ;
                 it
                 gives
                 not
                 over
                 ,
                 but
                 rebels
                 being
                 overcome
                 ,
                 or
                 assaults
                 afresh
                 having
                 prevailed
                 .
                 Oft-times
                 after
                 a
                 victory
                 obtained
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 opposition
                 subdued
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 in
                 expectation
                 of
                 Rest
                 and
                 Peace
                 from
                 its
                 enemies
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 holds
                 not
                 .
                 It
                 works
                 and
                 rebels
                 again
                 and
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 do
                 so
                 whilst
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 no
                 issue
                 will
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 our
                 conflict
                 but
                 by
                 
                 death
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 at
                 large
                 handled
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 
                   Treatise
                   lately
                   published
                
                 on
                 this
                 peculiar
                 subject
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 Considerations
                 attending
                 the
                 
                   actings
                   of
                   indwelling
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 do
                 oftentimes
                 intangle
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 making
                 a
                 Judgement
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 as
                 to
                 its
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 few
                 things
                 shall
                 be
                 offered
                 unto
                 this
                 Objection
                 also
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 sensible
                 powerfull
                 actings
                 of
                 indwelling
                 sin
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
                 There
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 person
                 contrary
                 principles
                 ,
                 the
                 flesh
                 and
                 the
                 spirit
                 ;
                 
                   these
                   are
                   contrary
                
                 ;
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 contrary
                 actings
                 from
                 these
                 principles
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   flesh
                   lusteth
                   against
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   spirit
                   against
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 actings
                 are
                 described
                 to
                 be
                 great
                 vigorous
                 in
                 other
                 places
                 .
                 
                   Lust
                   wars
                   against
                   our
                   souls
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 4.
                 1.
                 1
                 
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 1
                 l.
                 Now
                 to
                 war
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 make
                 faint
                 or
                 gentle
                 Opposition
                 to
                 be
                 flighted
                 and
                 contemned
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 go
                 out
                 with
                 great
                 strength
                 ,
                 to
                 use
                 craft
                 ,
                 subtlety
                 and
                 force
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 put
                 the
                 whole
                 issue
                 to
                 a
                 hazard
                 .
                 So
                 these
                 lusts
                 war
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 their
                 actings
                 in
                 and
                 against
                 the
                 soul.
                 And
                 therefore
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   You
                   cannot
                   do
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   you
                   would
                
                 ;
                 see
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 In
                 this
                 conflict
                 indeed
                 the
                 understanding
                 is
                 left
                 unconquered
                 ;
                 it
                 condemns
                 and
                 disapproves
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 led
                 unto
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 will
                 is
                 not
                 subdued
                 ;
                 
                   it
                   would
                   not
                   do
                   the
                   evil
                
                 that
                 is
                 pressed
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 hatred
                 or
                 aversation
                 remaining
                 in
                 the
                 Affections
                 unto
                 sin
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 notwithstanding
                 sin
                 
                   rebels
                   ,
                   fights
                   ,
                   tumultuates
                
                 ,
                 and
                 leads
                 captive
                 .
                 This
                 Objection
                 then
                 may
                 receive
                 this
                 speedy
                 Answer
                 .
                 Powerfull
                 actings
                 and
                 workings
                 ,
                 universal
                 endless
                 struglings
                 of
                 ind
                 welling
                 sin
                 ,
                 seducing
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 evil
                 ,
                 putting
                 it self
                 forth
                 to
                 the
                 disturbance
                 and
                 dissettlement
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 sufficient
                 ground
                 to
                 conclude
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 Alienation
                 from
                 God
                 ;
                 see
                 for
                 this
                 the
                 other
                 Treatise
                 before
                 mentioned
                 at
                 large
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Your
                   state
                   is
                   not
                   at
                   all
                   to
                   be
                   measured
                   by
                   the
                   opposition
                   that
                   sin
                   makes
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 opposition
                 you
                 make
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 be
                 that
                 never
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 good
                 ,
                 be
                 that
                 never
                 so
                 restless
                 and
                 powerfull
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 sincere
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 disquieted
                 ,
                 you
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 despond
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 mentioned
                 these
                 things
                 only
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 specimen
                 of
                 the
                 
                 Objections
                 which
                 men
                 usually
                 raise
                 up
                 against
                 an
                 actual
                 closing
                 with
                 the
                 Truth
                 insisted
                 on
                 to
                 their
                 consolation
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 have
                 also
                 given
                 in
                 upon
                 them
                 some
                 Rules
                 of
                 Truth
                 for
                 their
                 relief
                 ,
                 not
                 intending
                 in
                 them
                 absolute
                 satisfaction
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 of
                 the
                 cases
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 remove
                 the
                 darkness
                 raised
                 by
                 them
                 so
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 not
                 hinder
                 any
                 from
                 mixing
                 the
                 Word
                 with
                 Faith
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 dispensed
                 from
                 this
                 blessed
                 testimony
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   there
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   God
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   feared
                   ,
                
              
            
          
           
             
               Verse
               5
               ,
               6.
               
            
             
               
               PRoceed
               we
               now
               to
               the
               second
               part
               of
               this
               Psalm
               ,
               which
               contains
               the
               deportment
               of
               a
               sin-perplexed
               soul
               ;
               when
               by
               Faith
               it
               hath
               discovered
               where
               its
               Rest
               doth
               lye
               ,
               and
               from
               whom
               its
               relief
               is
               to
               be
               expected
               ;
               even
               from
               the
               forgiveness
               which
               is
               with
               God
               ,
               whereof
               we
               have
               spoken
               .
            
             
               There
               are
               two
               things
               in
               general
               ,
               as
               was
               before
               mentioned
               ,
               that
               the
               soul
               in
               that
               condition
               applies
               it self
               unto
               ;
               whereof
               the
               first
               respects
               
                 its
                 self
              
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               the
               whole
               
                 Israel
                 of
                 God.
              
               
            
             
               That
               which
               respects
               its
               self
               ,
               is
               the
               description
               of
               that
               frame
               of
               heart
               and
               spirit
               that
               he
               was
               brought
               into
               ,
               upon
               faiths
               discovery
               of
               forgiveness
               in
               God
               ;
               with
               the
               duties
               that
               he
               applied
               himself
               unto
               ,
               the
               grounds
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               manner
               of
               its
               performance
               ,
               v.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 
                 
                   I
                   wait
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   my
                   soul
                   doth
                   wait
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   his
                   Word
                   do
                   I
                   hope
                   .
                
                 
                   My
                   soul
                   waiteth
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   more
                   than
                   they
                   that
                   watch
                   for
                   the
                   morning
                   :
                   I
                   say
                   more
                   than
                   they
                   that
                   watch
                   for
                   the
                   morning
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Herein
               I
               say
               he
               describes
               both
               his
               frame
               of
               spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               Duty
               he
               applied
               himself
               to
               ,
               both
               as
               to
               matter
               and
               manner
               .
            
             
               I
               shall
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               method
               hitherto
               observed
               ,
               first
               consider
               the
               
                 reading
                 of
                 the
                 Words
              
               ,
               then
               their
               sense
               and
               importance
               ,
               with
               the
               suitableness
               of
               the
               things
               mentioned
               in
               them
               ,
               to
               the
               condition
               of
               
               the
               soul
               under
               Consideration
               ;
               all
               which
               will
               yield
               us
               a
               foundation
               of
               the
               Observations
               that
               are
               to
               be
               drawn
               from
               them
               .
            
             
               The
               Words
               rendred
               strictly
               or
               word
               for
               word
               lye
               thus
               ,
               
                 
                   
                     I
                     have
                     earnestly
                     expected
                     Jehovah
                  
                   ;
                   
                     my
                     Soul
                     hath
                     expected
                     ,
                     and
                     in
                     his
                     Word
                     have
                     I
                     tarryed
                     ,
                  
                   or
                   waited
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     My
                     Soul
                     to
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     more
                     then
                     ,
                  
                   (
                   or
                   before
                   )
                   
                     the
                     watchmen
                     in
                     the
                     morning
                  
                   ;
                   
                     the
                     watchmen
                     in
                     the
                     morning
                  
                   ;
                   or
                   unto
                   the
                   morning
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 have
                 waited
                 or
                 expected
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               to
               expect
               ,
               to
               hope
               ,
               to
               wait
               .
               
                 Verbum
                 hoc
                 est
                 ,
                 magno
                 animi
                 desiderio
                 ,
                 in
                 aliquem
                 intentum
                 esse
                 ,
                 &
                 respicere
                 ad
                 eum
                 ,
                 ex
                 eo
                 pendere
                 .
              
               The
               word
               denotes
               to
               be
               intent
               on
               any
               one
               with
               great
               desire
               ;
               to
               behold
               or
               regard
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               depend
               upon
               him
               ;
               and
               it
               also
               expresseth
               the
               earnest
               inclination
               and
               intention
               of
               the
               Will
               and
               Mind
               .
            
             
               Paul
               seems
               to
               have
               expressed
               this
               word
               to
               the
               full
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               19.
               by
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 an
                 intent
                 or
                 earnest
                 expectation
              
               ,
               expressing
               it self
               by
               putting
               forth
               the
               head
               ,
               and
               looking
               round
               about
               with
               earnestness
               and
               diligence
               .
               And
               this
               is
               also
               signified
               expresly
               by
               this
               word
               ;
               Psal.
               69.
               20.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 and
                 I
                 looked
                 for
                 some
                 to
                 take
                 pitty
                 ;
                 huc
                 illuc
                 anxie
                 circumspexi
                 ,
                 siqui
                 fortè
                 me
                 commiseraturus
                 esset
                 .
                 I
                 looked
                 round
                 about
                 this
                 way
                 and
                 that
                 way
              
               diligently
               and
               solicitously
               ,
               to
               see
               if
               any
               would
               pitty
               me
               or
               lament
               with
               me
               .
            
             
               Thus
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 waited
              
               ,
               is
               as
               much
               ,
               as
               
                 I
                 have
                 diligently
                 with
                 intention
                 of
                 soul
                 ,
                 mind
                 ,
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 affections
                 looked
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 earnest
                 expectation
                 of
                 that
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 ,
              
               and
               which
               must
               come
               forth
               from
               the
               forgiveness
               that
               is
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               I
               have
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               waited
               for
               ,
               or
               expected
               Jehovah
               ;
               he
               uses
               the
               same
               Name
               of
               God
               in
               his
               Expectation
               ,
               that
               he
               first
               fixed
               on
               in
               his
               Application
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               And
               it
               is
               not
               this
               or
               
                 that
                 means
              
               ,
               not
               this
               or
               that
               Assistance
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               Jehovah
               himself
               that
               he
               expects
               and
               waits
               for
               .
               It
               is
               Jehovah
               himself
               that
               must
               satisfie
               the
               Soul
               :
               his
               favour
               and
               loving
               kindness
               ;
               and
               what
               flows
               from
               them
               ;
               If
               he
               come
               not
               himself
               ,
               if
               he
               gives
               not
               himself
               ,
               nothing
               else
               will
               relieve
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 My
                 soul
              
               doth
               wait
               or
               expect
               ;
               it
               is
               no
               
                 outward
                 duty
              
               that
               
               I
               am
               at
               ,
               no
               lip-labour
               ,
               no
               bodily
               work
               ,
               no
               formal
               cold
               careless
               performance
               of
               a
               duty
               ;
               no
               ,
               my
               
                 soul
                 doth
                 wait
              
               :
               it
               is
               
                 soul
                 work
                 ,
                 heart
                 work
              
               I
               am
               at
               ;
               I
               wait
               ,
               I
               wait
               with
               my
               whole
               soul.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               
                 In
                 his
                 word
                 do
                 I
                 hope
              
               :
               or
               wait
               .
               There
               is
               not
               anything
               of
               difficulty
               in
               these
               words
               ;
               the
               word
               used
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               is
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 sunt
                 qui
                 quod
                 affiue
                 sit
                 verbo
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 velint
                 anxietatem
                 &
                 nisum
                 includere
                 ,
                 ut
                 significet
                 anxie
                 ,
                 seu
                 enixe
                 expectare
                 ,
                 sustinere
                 ,
                 &
                 sperare
              
               ;
               It
               signifies
               to
               hope
               ,
               expect
               ,
               endure
               ,
               and
               sustain
               ,
               with
               care
               ,
               solicitousness
               ,
               and
               indeavours
               .
               Hence
               the
               70
               have
               rendred
               the
               word
               by
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               and
               the
               
                 Vul.
                 Lat.
                 Sustinui
              
               .
               I
               have
               
                 sustained
                 and
                 waited
              
               with
               patience
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               
                 on
                 the
                 Word
              
               ;
               or
               he
               
                 sustained
                 his
                 soul
              
               with
               the
               Word
               of
               promise
               that
               it
               should
               not
               utterly
               faint
               .
               Seeing
               he
               had
               made
               a
               discovery
               of
               
                 Grace
                 and
                 forgiveness
              
               ,
               though
               yet
               at
               a
               great
               distance
               ;
               he
               had
               a
               sight
               of
               Land
               ,
               though
               he
               was
               yet
               in
               a
               storm
               at
               Sea
               ;
               and
               therefore
               incourageth
               himself
               ,
               or
               his
               soul
               ,
               that
               it
               do
               not
               despond
               .
            
             
               But
               yet
               all
               this
               that
               we
               have
               spoken
               reaches
               not
               the
               intensness
               of
               the
               soul
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               in
               this
               his
               
                 Expectation
                 of
                 Jehovah
              
               .
               The
               earnest
               engagement
               of
               his
               soul
               in
               this
               duty
               riseth
               up
               above
               what
               he
               can
               express
               .
               Therefore
               he
               proceeds
               ,
               ver
               .
               6.
               
               
                 My
                 Soul
              
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ,
               (
               that
               is
               ,
               expects
               him
               ,
               looks
               for
               him
               ,
               waits
               for
               his
               coming
               to
               me
               in
               Love
               and
               with
               forgiveness
               )
               
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 watchers
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 the
                 watchers
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 .
              
            
             
               These
               latter
               words
               are
               variously
               rendred
               ,
               and
               variously
               expounded
               .
               The
               LXX
               .
               and
               
                 vulgar
                 Latin
              
               render
               them
               ;
               
                 from
                 the
                 Morning
                 watch
                 ,
                 untill
                 night
                 .
              
               Others
               ,
               
                 from
                 those
                 that
                 keep
                 the
                 Morning
                 watch
                 unto
                 those
                 that
                 keep
                 the
                 Evening
                 watch
                 .
              
               More
               than
               the
               watchers
               in
               the
               morning
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               Watchers
               in
               the
               Morning
               .
            
             
               The
               Words
               also
               are
               variously
               expounded
               .
               Austin
               would
               have
               it
               to
               signifie
               ,
               the
               placing
               of
               our
               hopes
               on
               the
               Morning
               of
               
                 Christs
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 and
                 continuing
                 in
                 them
                 untill
                 the
                 night
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 death
                 .
              
            
             
               Hierome
               who
               renders
               the
               Words
               ,
               
                 from
                 the
                 morning
                 watch
                 to
                 the
                 morning
                 watch
                 ,
              
               expounds
               them
               of
               continuing
               our
               hopes
               and
               expectations
               from
               
                 the
                 morning
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 into
                 the
              
               
               
                 Lords
                 Vineyard
              
               ,
               to
               
                 the
                 morning
                 when
                 we
                 shall
                 receive
                 our
                 reward
              
               ;
               as
               much
               to
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               place
               as
               the
               former
               :
               and
               so
               Chrysostome
               interprets
               it
               of
               our
               whole
               life
               .
            
             
               It
               cannot
               be
               denyed
               but
               that
               they
               were
               lead
               into
               these
               mistakes
               by
               the
               Translation
               of
               the
               70.
               and
               that
               of
               the
               
                 Vulgar
                 Latine
              
               ,
               who
               both
               of
               them
               have
               divided
               these
               Words
               ,
               quite
               contrary
               to
               their
               proper
               dependance
               ;
               and
               read
               them
               thus
               ,
               My
               soul
               expected
               the
               Lord.
               
                 From
                 the
                 Morning
                 watch
                 to
                 the
                 Night
                 watch
                 ,
                 Let
                 Israel
                 trust
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               so
               making
               the
               words
               to
               belong
               to
               the
               following
               Exhortation
               unto
               others
               ,
               which
               are
               plainly
               a
               part
               of
               the
               expression
               of
               his
               own
               duty
               .
            
             
               The
               words
               then
               are
               a
               Comparison
               ,
               and
               an
               Allusion
               unto
               Watchmen
               ,
               and
               may
               be
               taken
               in
               one
               of
               these
               two
               senses
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 In
                 things
                 Civil
              
               ;
               As
               those
               who
               keep
               the
               
                 Watch
                 of
                 the
                 Night
              
               ,
               do
               look
               ,
               and
               long
               for
               ,
               and
               expect
               the
               morning
               ,
               when
               being
               dismissed
               from
               
                 their
                 Guard
              
               they
               may
               take
               that
               Sleep
               that
               they
               need
               and
               desire
               ,
               which
               expresses
               a
               very
               earnest
               expectation
               ,
               inquiry
               and
               desire
               ,
               Or
               ,
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 In
                 things
                 Sacred
              
               ;
               With
               the
               Chaldee
               Paraphrast
               ,
               which
               renders
               the
               words
               ,
               
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 that
                 look
                 for
                 the
                 morning
                 watch
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 carefully
                 observe
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 offer
                 the
                 Morning
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               In
               this
               sense
               ,
               as
               faith
               he
               ,
               the
               Warders
               and
               Watchers
               in
               the
               Temple
               ,
               do
               look
               diligently
               after
               the
               Appearance
               of
               the
               Morning
               that
               they
               may
               with
               Joy
               offer
               the
               
                 Morning
                 Sacrifice
              
               in
               the
               appointed
               season
               ;
               So
               ,
               and
               with
               more
               diligence
               doth
               my
               Soul
               wait
               for
               Jehovah
               .
            
             
               You
               see
               the
               reading
               of
               the
               words
               ;
               and
               how
               far
               the
               sense
               of
               them
               opens
               it self
               unto
               us
               by
               that
               consideration
               .
            
             
               Let
               us
               then
               nextly
               see
               briefly
               the
               several
               parts
               of
               them
               ,
               as
               they
               stand
               in
               Relation
               one
               to
               another
               .
               We
               have
               then
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   
                     Expression
                     of
                     the
                     Duty
                  
                   wherein
                   he
                   was
                   exercised
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   is
                   
                     earnest
                     waiting
                     for
                     Jehovah
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   
                     bottome
                     and
                     foundation
                  
                   of
                   that
                   his
                   waiting
                   and
                   expectation
                   ;
                   that
                   is
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   promise
                   ,
                   
                     he
                     diligently
                     boped
                     in
                     the
                     Word
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   
                     Frame
                     of
                     his
                     Spirit
                  
                   in
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   his
                   performance
                   of
                   this
                   Duty
                   ;
                   Expressed
                   .
                
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               In
               the
               words
               themselves
               that
               he
               uses
               ,
               according
               as
               we
               opened
               them
               before
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               In
               the
               
                 Emphatical
                 reduplication
                 ,
                 yea
                 triplication
              
               of
               his
               expression
               of
               it
               ;
               I
               wait
               for
               God
               ,
               my
               
                 soul
                 waiteth
              
               for
               God
               ,
               my
               soul
               
                 for
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               
            
             
               3.
               
               In
               the
               Comparison
               instituted
               between
               his
               discharge
               of
               his
               duty
               ,
               and
               others
               performances
               of
               a
               
                 corporal
                 watch
              
               ,
               with
               the
               greatest
               care
               and
               diligence
               ;
               
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 that
                 watch
                 for
                 the
                 morning
              
               ;
               So
               that
               we
               have
               ,
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   duty
                
                 he
                 performed
                 ;
                 earnest
                 Waiting
                 and
                 Expectation
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Object
                 of
                 his
                 waiting
                 ;
                 Jehovah
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 Supportment
                 in
                 that
                 duty
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   promise
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 Manner
                 of
                 his
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     With
                     Earnestness
                     and
                     diligence
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     With
                     Perseverance
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               Let
               us
               then
               now
               Consider
               the
               Words
               ,
               as
               they
               contain
               the
               frame
               and
               working
               of
               
                 a
                 sin
                 entangled
                 soul.
              
               
            
             
               Having
               been
               raised
               out
               of
               
                 his
                 depths
              
               by
               the
               discovery
               of
               forgiveness
               in
               God
               ,
               as
               was
               before
               declared
               ,
               yet
               not
               being
               immediately
               made
               partaker
               of
               that
               forgiveness
               ,
               as
               to
               a
               comforting
               sense
               of
               it
               ,
               he
               gathers
               up
               his
               soul
               from
               wandring
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               supports
               it
               from
               sinking
               under
               his
               present
               condition
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 Jehovah
                 alone
                 with
                 whom
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 that
                 can
                 relieve
                 and
                 do
                 me
                 good
                 ;
                 his
                 favour
                 ,
                 his
                 loving
                 kindness
                 ,
                 his
                 communication
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 Grace
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 ;
                 on
                 him
                 therefore
                 do
                 I
                 with
                 all
                 heedfulness
                 attend
                 ;
                 on
                 him
                 do
                 I
                 wait
                 ,
                 my
                 soul
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 expectation
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 surely
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 and
                 refresh
                 me
                 ;
                 though
                 he
                 seem
                 as
                 yet
                 to
                 be
                 afar
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 leave
                 me
                 in
                 these
                 depths
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 have
                 his
                 word
                 of
                 promise
                 to
                 support
                 and
                 stay
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 on
                 which
                 I
                 will
                 lean
                 untill
                 I
                 obtain
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 kindness
                 which
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 life
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               this
               is
               the
               frame
               of
               
                 a
                 sin
                 entangled
                 Soul
              
               ,
               who
               hath
               really
               by
               faith
               discovered
               forgiveness
               in
               God
               ,
               but
               is
               not
               yet
               made
               partaker
               of
               a
               comforting
               refreshing
               sense
               of
               it
               .
               And
               we
               may
               represent
               it
               in
               the
               ensuing
               Observations
               .
               
               
                 
                   Obs.
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     first
                     proper
                     fruit
                     of
                     faiths
                     discovery
                     of
                     forgiveness
                     in
                     God
                     unto
                     a
                     sin
                     distressed
                     soul
                     ,
                     is
                     waiting
                     in
                     patience
                     and
                     Expectation
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   2.
                   
                   
                     The
                     proper
                     Object
                     of
                     a
                     sin
                     distressed
                     souls
                     waiting
                     and
                     expecting
                     ,
                     is
                     God
                     himself
                     as
                     reconciled
                     in
                     Christ
                  
                   ;
                   I
                   have
                   waited
                   for
                   Jehovah
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   3.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Word
                     of
                     promise
                     is
                     the
                     souls
                     great
                     supportment
                     in
                     waiting
                     for
                     God
                  
                   ;
                   in
                   thy
                   Word
                   do
                   I
                   hope
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   4.
                   
                   
                     Sin
                     distressed
                     Souls
                     wait
                     for
                     God
                     with
                     earnest
                     intention
                     of
                     mind
                     ,
                     diligence
                     ,
                     and
                     expectation
                  
                   ;
                   from
                   the
                   redoubling
                   of
                   the
                   Expression
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   5.
                   
                   
                     Continuance
                     in
                     waiting
                     untill
                     God
                     appears
                     to
                     the
                     soul
                     ,
                     is
                     necessary
                     and
                     prevailing
                  
                   ;
                   Necessary
                   as
                   that
                   without
                   which
                   we
                   cannot
                   attain
                   assistance
                   ;
                   and
                   prevailing
                   as
                   that
                   wherein
                   we
                   shall
                   never
                   fail
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   6.
                   
                   
                     Establishment
                     in
                     waiting
                     where
                     there
                     is
                     no
                     present
                     sense
                     of
                     forgiveness
                     ,
                     yet
                     gives
                     the
                     soul
                     much
                     secret
                     Rest
                     and
                     Comfort
                  
                   ;
                   This
                   Observation
                   ariseth
                   from
                   the
                   influence
                   that
                   
                     these
                     Verses
                  
                   have
                   unto
                   those
                   that
                   follow
                   .
                   The
                   Psalmist
                   having
                   attained
                   thus
                   far
                   ,
                   can
                   now
                   look
                   about
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   begin
                   to
                   deal
                   with
                   others
                   ,
                   and
                   exhort
                   them
                   to
                   an
                   Expectation
                   of
                   Grace
                   and
                   mercy
                   .
                
              
            
             
               And
               thus
               though
               the
               soul
               be
               not
               absolutely
               in
               the
               
                 haven
                 of
                 Consolation
              
               where
               it
               would
               be
               ,
               yet
               it
               hath
               cast
               out
               an
               Anchor
               that
               gives
               it
               Establishment
               ,
               and
               Security
               .
               Though
               it
               be
               yet
               tossed
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               secured
               from
               Shipwrack
               ,
               and
               is
               rather
               sick
               than
               in
               danger
               :
               
                 A
                 waiting
                 Condition
                 is
                 a
                 condition
                 of
                 Safety
                 .
              
            
             
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               he
               now
               turns
               himself
               to
               others
               and
               upon
               the
               Experience
               of
               the
               discovery
               that
               he
               had
               made
               of
               forgiveness
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Establishment
               and
               consolation
               he
               found
               in
               waiting
               on
               him
               ,
               he
               calls
               upon
               ,
               and
               incourageth
               others
               to
               the
               same
               duty
               ,
               v.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
            
             
               The
               Propositions
               laid
               down
               ,
               I
               shall
               briefly
               pass
               through
               ;
               still
               with
               respect
               unto
               the
               State
               and
               Condition
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               represented
               in
               the
               Psalm
               .
               Many
               things
               that
               might
               justly
               be
               insisted
               on
               in
               the
               improvement
               of
               these
               Truths
               ,
               have
               been
               anticipated
               in
               our
               former
               General
               Rules
               .
               To
               them
               we
               must
               therefore
               sometimes
               have
               recourse
               ;
               because
               they
               must
               not
               be
               again
               
               repeated
               .
               On
               this
               account
               I
               say
               ,
               we
               shall
               pass
               through
               them
               with
               all
               briefness
               possible
               ;
               yet
               so
               as
               not
               wholly
               to
               omit
               any
               directions
               that
               are
               here
               tendred
               unto
               us
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               guidance
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               whose
               condition
               and
               the
               working
               of
               whose
               faith
               is
               here
               described
               .
               This
               therefore
               in
               the
               first
               place
               is
               proposed
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 first
                 proper
                 fruit
                 of
                 faiths
                 discovery
                 of
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God
                 unto
                 a
                 sin-distressed
                 soul
                 ,
                 is
                 waiting
                 in
                 patience
                 and
                 expectation
                 .
              
            
             
               
               This
               the
               Psalmist
               openly
               and
               directly
               applies
               himself
               unto
               ,
               and
               expresseth
               to
               have
               been
               as
               his
               duty
               ,
               so
               his
               practice
               .
               And
               he
               doth
               it
               so
               emphatically
               ,
               as
               was
               manifested
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               words
               ,
               that
               I
               know
               not
               that
               any
               duty
               is
               any
               where
               in
               the
               Scripture
               so
               recommended
               and
               lively
               represented
               unto
               us
               .
            
             
               You
               must
               therefore
               for
               the
               right
               understanding
               of
               it
               ,
               call
               to
               mind
               what
               hath
               been
               spoken
               concerning
               the
               
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 soul
              
               inquired
               into
               ;
               its
               depths
               ,
               intanglements
               ,
               and
               sense
               of
               sin
               ,
               with
               its
               Application
               unto
               God
               about
               those
               things
               ;
               As
               also
               remember
               what
               hath
               been
               delivered
               about
               the
               
                 nature
                 of
                 forgiveness
              
               ,
               with
               the
               Revelation
               that
               is
               made
               of
               it
               unto
               the
               faith
               of
               Believers
               ,
               And
               that
               this
               may
               be
               done
               ,
               where
               the
               soul
               hath
               no
               refreshing
               sense
               of
               its
               own
               interest
               therein
               .
               It
               knows
               not
               that
               its
               
                 own
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
              
               ,
               although
               it
               believes
               that
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               God.
               Now
               the
               principal
               duty
               that
               is
               incumbent
               on
               such
               a
               soul
               ,
               is
               that
               laid
               down
               in
               the
               proposition
               ,
               namely
               ,
               
                 patient
                 waiting
                 and
                 expectation
              
               .
            
             
               Two
               things
               must
               be
               done
               in
               reference
               hereunto
               :
               First
               ,
               The
               
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 duty
              
               it self
               is
               to
               be
               declared
               :
               And
               secondly
               ,
               The
               necessity
               and
               usefulness
               of
               its
               practice
               is
               to
               be
               evinced
               and
               demonstrated
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               Nature
               of
               it
               ,
               something
               hath
               been
               intimated
               giving
               light
               into
               it
               ,
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               words
               here
               used
               by
               the
               Psalmist
               to
               express
               it
               by
               .
               But
               we
               may
               observe
               that
               these
               duties
               as
               required
               of
               us
               ,
               do
               not
               consist
               in
               any
               
                 particular
                 acting
                 of
                 the
                 soul
              
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               whole
               spiritual
               frame
               and
               deportment
               of
               it
               in
               reference
               unto
               the
               End
               aimed
               at
               in
               and
               by
               them
               .
               And
               this
               waiting
               ,
               as
               here
               and
               elsewhere
               commended
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               which
               is
               comprehensive
               of
               the
               especial
               duties
               of
               the
               soul
               in
               the
               case
               insisted
               on
               ,
               and
               described
               ,
               comprehends
               these
               three
               things
               .
               
               (
               1.
               )
               Quietness
               ,
               in
               Opposition
               to
               haste
               ,
               and
               tumultuating
               of
               spirit
               .
               (
               2.
               )
               Diligence
               in
               Opposition
               to
               spiritual
               sloth
               ,
               despondency
               and
               neglect
               of
               means
               .
               (
               3.
               )
               Expectation
               in
               Opposition
               to
               despair
               ,
               distrust
               ,
               and
               other
               proper
               immediate
               actings
               of
               unbelief
               .
            
             
               
               1.
               
               Quietness
               .
               Hence
               this
               waiting
               it self
               is
               sometimes
               expressed
               by
               silence
               .
               To
               wait
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               silent
               ,
               Lam.
               3.
               6.
               
               It
               is
               good
               both
               to
               hope
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               and
               to
               be
               
                 silent
                 for
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               
                 wait
                 quietly
              
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               rendred
               the
               word
               .
               And
               the
               same
               word
               we
               render
               sometimes
               to
               rest
               .
               as
               Psal.
               37.
               7.
               
               
                 Rest
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 be
                 silent
              
               unto
               him
               ;
               where
               it
               is
               joyned
               with
               hoping
               or
               waiting
               ,
               as
               that
               which
               belongs
               unto
               the
               nature
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               so
               in
               sundry
               other
               places
               .
               And
               this
               God
               in
               an
               especial
               manner
               calleth
               souls
               unto
               
                 in
                 straights
                 and
                 distresses
                 .
                 In
                 quietness
                 and
                 confidence
                 ,
              
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 shall
                 be
                 your
                 strength
              
               ,
               Isa.
               30.
               15.
               
               And
               the
               effect
               of
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               God
               by
               Christ
               ,
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 Quietness
                 and
                 Assurance
                 for
                 ever
              
               ,
               Isa.
               32.
               17.
               
               First
               Quietness
               ,
               and
               then
               Assurance
               .
               Now
               this
               silence
               and
               quietness
               which
               accompanieth
               waiting
               ,
               yea
               which
               is
               an
               
                 essential
                 part
              
               of
               it
               ,
               is
               opposed
               first
               to
               Haste
               ;
               and
               Haste
               is
               the
               souls
               
                 undue
                 lifting
                 up
                 its
                 self
              
               ,
               proceeding
               from
               a
               weariness
               of
               its
               condition
               ,
               to
               press
               after
               an
               end
               of
               its
               troubles
               ,
               not
               according
               to
               the
               conduct
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God.
               Thus
               when
               God
               calleth
               his
               people
               to
               waiting
               ,
               he
               expresseth
               the
               contrary
               acting
               unto
               this
               duty
               ,
               by
               the
               
                 lifting
                 up
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 Hab.
              
               2.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 Though
                 the
                 vision
                 tarry
                 ,
                 wait
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 behold
                 his
                 soul
                 which
                 is
                 lifted
                 up
                 is
                 not
                 upright
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Just
                 shall
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 .
              
               God
               hath
               given
               unto
               the
               soul
               a
               
                 vision
                 of
                 Peace
              
               ,
               through
               the
               discovery
               of
               that
               forgiveness
               which
               is
               with
               him
               ;
               but
               he
               will
               have
               us
               wait
               for
               an
               actual
               participation
               of
               it
               unto
               rest
               and
               comfort
               .
               He
               that
               will
               not
               do
               so
               ,
               but
               
                 lifts
                 up
                 his
                 soul
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               
                 making
                 haste
              
               beyond
               the
               Rule
               and
               Method
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               
                 his
                 heart
                 is
                 not
                 upright
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               nor
               will
               he
               know
               what
               it
               is
               to
               
                 live
                 by
                 faith
              
               .
               This
               ruines
               and
               disappoints
               many
               a
               soul
               in
               its
               attempts
               for
               forgiveness
               .
               The
               Prophet
               speaking
               of
               this
               matter
               ,
               tells
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 shall
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 will
                 not
                 make
                 haste
                 ,
              
               Isa.
               28.
               16.
               
               Which
               words
               the
               Apostle
               twice
               making
               use
               of
               ,
               Rom.
               9.
               33
               ,
               chap.
               10
               ,
               11.
               in
               both
               places
               renders
               them
               ,
               
                 Whosoever
                 believeth
                 on
                 him
                 shall
                 not
              
               
               
                 be
                 ashamed
              
               ,
               or
               confounded
               .
               And
               that
               because
               this
               Haste
               turns
               men
               off
               from
               believing
               ,
               and
               so
               disappoints
               their
               hopes
               ,
               and
               leaves
               them
               unto
               
                 shame
                 and
                 confusion
              
               .
               Men
               with
               a
               sense
               of
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               having
               some
               discovery
               made
               to
               them
               of
               the
               Rest
               Ease
               and
               Peace
               which
               they
               may
               obtain
               to
               their
               souls
               by
               forgiveness
               ,
               are
               ready
               to
               catch
               greedily
               at
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               false
               ,
               unsound
               ,
               undue
               applications
               of
               it
               unto
               themselves
               .
               They
               cannot
               bear
               the
               yoak
               that
               the
               Lord
               hath
               put
               upon
               them
               ,
               but
               grow
               impatient
               under
               it
               ,
               and
               cry
               with
               
                 Rachel
                 ,
                 Give
                 me
                 children
                 or
                 I
                 dye
                 .
              
               Any
               way
               they
               would
               obtain
               it
               .
               Now
               as
               the
               
                 first
                 duty
              
               of
               such
               a
               soul
               is
               to
               apply
               its
               self
               unto
               waiting
               ;
               so
               the
               first
               entrance
               into
               waiting
               consists
               in
               this
               
                 Silence
                 and
                 Quietness
              
               of
               heart
               and
               spirit
               .
               This
               is
               the
               souls
               endeavour
               to
               keep
               its
               self
               humble
               ,
               satisfied
               with
               the
               
                 soveraign
                 pleasure
              
               of
               God
               in
               its
               condition
               ,
               and
               refusing
               all
               waies
               and
               means
               of
               Rest
               and
               Peace
               ,
               but
               what
               it
               is
               guided
               and
               directed
               unto
               by
               the
               Word
               and
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               As
               it
               is
               opposed
               unto
               Haste
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               unto
               
                 tumultuating
                 thoughts
              
               ,
               and
               vexatious
               disquietments
               ;
               the
               soul
               is
               
                 silent
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               39.
               9.
               
               
                 I
                 was
                 dumb
                 ,
                 I
                 opened
                 not
                 my
                 mouth
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 didst
                 it
                 .
              
               He
               redoubles
               the
               expression
               ,
               whereby
               he
               sets
               out
               his
               endeavour
               to
               quiet
               and
               still
               his
               soul
               in
               the
               Will
               of
               God.
               In
               the
               condition
               discoursed
               of
               ,
               the
               soul
               is
               apt
               to
               have
               many
               
                 tumultuating
                 thoughts
              
               ,
               or
               a
               multitude
               of
               perplexing
               thoughts
               of
               no
               use
               or
               advantage
               unto
               it
               .
               How
               they
               are
               to
               be
               watched
               against
               and
               rejected
               ,
               was
               before
               declared
               in
               our
               
                 General
                 Rules
              
               .
               This
               Quietness
               in
               waiting
               will
               prevent
               them
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               first
               thing
               in
               the
               duty
               prescribed
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Diligence
               ,
               in
               Opposition
               unto
               
                 spiritual
                 sloth
              
               ,
               is
               included
               in
               it
               also
               .
               Diligence
               is
               the
               activity
               of
               the
               mind
               in
               the
               regular
               use
               of
               means
               ,
               for
               the
               pursuit
               of
               any
               end
               proposed
               .
               The
               End
               aimed
               at
               by
               the
               soul
               ,
               is
               a
               comforting
               refreshing
               interest
               in
               that
               forgiveness
               that
               is
               with
               God.
               For
               the
               attaining
               hereof
               ,
               there
               are
               sundry
               means
               instituted
               and
               blessed
               of
               God.
               A
               neglect
               of
               them
               through
               regardlesness
               or
               sloth
               ,
               will
               certainly
               disappoint
               the
               soul
               from
               attaining
               that
               end
               .
               It
               is
               confessedly
               so
               in
               things
               natural
               .
               He
               that
               soweth
               not
               ,
               must
               not
               think
               to
               reap
               ;
               he
               that
               cloatheth
               not
               himself
               will
               not
               be
               warm
               ;
               nor
               he
               enjoy
               health
               ,
               who
               neglects
               the
               means
               of
               it
               .
               Men
               understand
               this
               as
               
               to
               their
               outward
               concerns
               .
               And
               although
               they
               have
               a
               due
               respect
               unto
               the
               blessing
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               they
               expect
               not
               to
               be
               rich
               without
               industry
               in
               their
               waies
               .
               It
               is
               so
               also
               in
               things
               spiritual
               .
               God
               hath
               appointed
               one
               thing
               to
               be
               the
               means
               of
               obtaining
               another
               ;
               in
               the
               use
               of
               them
               doth
               he
               bless
               us
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               use
               of
               them
               doth
               his
               Glory
               arise
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               his
               own
               appointments
               .
               And
               this
               diligence
               wholly
               respecteth
               practice
               ,
               or
               the
               regular
               use
               of
               means
               .
               A
               man
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 diligent
                 in
                 business
              
               ,
               to
               have
               a
               
                 diligent
                 hand
              
               ;
               though
               it
               be
               an
               Affection
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               yet
               it
               simply
               respects
               Practice
               and
               Operation
               .
               This
               diligence
               in
               his
               waiting
               David
               expresseth
               ,
               Psal.
               40.
               1.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               We
               render
               it
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 waited
                 patiently
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 waiting
                 I
                 have
                 waited
              
               ,
               that
               is
               diligently
               ,
               earnestly
               in
               the
               use
               of
               means
               .
               So
               he
               describes
               this
               duty
               by
               an
               elegant
               similitude
               ,
               Psal.
               123.
               2.
               
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 servants
                 look
                 unto
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 their
                 Masters
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 a
                 Maiden
                 to
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 her
                 Mistress
                 ;
                 so
                 our
                 eyes
                 wait
                 upon
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 until
                 he
                 have
                 mercy
                 on
                 us
                 .
              
               Servants
               that
               wait
               on
               their
               Masters
               ,
               and
               
                 look
                 to
                 their
                 hands
              
               ,
               it
               is
               to
               expect
               an
               intimation
               of
               their
               minds
               ,
               as
               to
               what
               they
               would
               have
               them
               do
               ,
               that
               they
               may
               address
               themselves
               unto
               it
               .
               So
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               do
               we
               wait
               for
               mercy
               ;
               not
               in
               a
               
                 slothfull
                 neglect
                 of
                 duties
              
               ,
               but
               in
               a
               constant
               readiness
               to
               observe
               the
               Will
               of
               God
               in
               all
               his
               commands
               .
               An
               instance
               hereof
               we
               have
               in
               the
               Spouse
               ,
               when
               she
               was
               in
               the
               condition
               here
               described
               ,
               Cant.
               3.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               She
               wanted
               the
               presence
               of
               her
               Beloved
               ,
               which
               amounts
               to
               the
               same
               state
               which
               we
               have
               under
               consideration
               .
               For
               where
               the
               presence
               of
               Christ
               is
               not
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               sense
               of
               forgiveness
               .
               At
               first
               she
               seeks
               him
               
                 upon
                 her
                 bed
              
               ;
               
                 by
                 night
                 upon
                 my
                 bed
                 ,
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 soul
                 loveth
                 ,
                 I
                 sought
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 found
                 him
                 not
                 .
              
               She
               seems
               herein
               to
               have
               gone
               no
               further
               than
               desires
               ;
               for
               she
               was
               
                 in
                 her
                 bed
              
               ,
               where
               she
               could
               do
               no
               more
               ;
               and
               the
               issue
               is
               ,
               
                 she
                 found
                 him
                 not
              
               ;
               but
               doth
               she
               so
               satisfie
               her self
               ,
               and
               
                 lye
                 still
              
               ,
               waiting
               until
               he
               should
               come
               there
               unto
               her
               ?
               no
               ,
               she
               sayes
               ,
               she
               will
               
                 rise
                 now
                 and
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 broad
                 waies
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 seek
                 him
                 whom
                 my
                 soul
                 loveth
                 .
              
               She
               resolves
               to
               put
               her self
               into
               the
               use
               of
               all
               means
               ,
               whereby
               one
               may
               be
               sought
               that
               is
               wanting
               .
               In
               the
               
                 City
                 ,
                 Streets
              
               ,
               and
               Fields
               ,
               she
               would
               enquire
               after
               him
               .
               And
               the
               blessed
               success
               she
               had
               herein
               is
               reported
               ,
               
               vers
               .
               4.
               
               
                 She
                 found
                 him
                 ,
                 she
                 held
                 him
                 ,
                 she
                 would
                 not
                 let
                 him
                 go
                 .
              
               This
               then
               belongs
               unto
               the
               waiting
               of
               the
               soul.
               Diligence
               in
               the
               use
               of
               means
               ,
               whereby
               God
               is
               pleased
               ordinarily
               to
               communicate
               a
               sense
               of
               pardon
               and
               forgiveness
               is
               a
               principal
               part
               of
               it
               .
               What
               
                 these
                 means
              
               are
               ,
               is
               known
               .
               Prayer
               ,
               Meditation
               ,
               Reading
               ,
               Hearing
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               Dispensation
               of
               the
               Sacraments
               ,
               they
               are
               all
               appointed
               to
               this
               purpose
               ;
               they
               are
               all
               means
               of
               communicating
               Love
               and
               Grace
               to
               the
               soul.
               Be
               not
               then
               heartless
               or
               slothfull
               ;
               up
               and
               be
               doing
               ;
               attend
               with
               diligence
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               Grace
               ;
               be
               fervent
               in
               prayer
               ,
               assiduous
               in
               the
               use
               of
               all
               Ordinances
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               in
               one
               or
               other
               of
               thern
               ,
               at
               one
               time
               or
               other
               thou
               wilt
               meet
               with
               him
               whom
               thy
               soul
               loveth
               ;
               and
               God
               through
               him
               will
               speak
               peace
               unto
               thee
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               There
               is
               Expectation
               in
               it
               ,
               which
               lyes
               in
               a
               direct
               opposition
               to
               all
               the
               actings
               of
               unbelief
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               very
               life
               and
               soul
               of
               the
               duty
               under
               consideration
               .
               So
               the
               Psalmist
               declares
               it
               ,
               Psal.
               62.
               5.
               
               
                 My
                 soul
                 ,
                 wait
                 thou
                 only
                 upon
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 expectation
                 is
                 only
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               The
               soul
               will
               not
               ,
               cannot
               in
               a
               due
               manner
               wait
               on
               God
               ,
               unless
               it
               hath
               Expectations
               from
               him
               ;
               unless
               ,
               as
               James
               speaks
               ,
               he
               
                 looks
                 to
                 receive
                 somewhat
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 chap.
              
               1.
               7.
               
               The
               soul
               in
               this
               condition
               regards
               forgiveness
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               by
               its
               self
               it
               is
               desired
               ,
               but
               principally
               as
               it
               is
               by
               God
               promised
               .
               Thence
               they
               expect
               it
               .
               This
               is
               expressed
               in
               the
               fourth
               Proposition
               before
               laid
               down
               ,
               namely
               ,
               
                 that
                 sin-distressed
                 souls
                 wait
                 for
                 God
                 with
                 earnestness
                 ,
                 intention
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 expectation
                 .
              
               As
               this
               ariseth
               from
               the
               redoubling
               of
               the
               Expression
               ;
               so
               principally
               from
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               Comparison
               that
               he
               makes
               of
               himself
               in
               his
               waiting
               with
               them
               
                 that
                 watch
                 for
                 the
                 morning
              
               .
               Those
               that
               
                 watch
                 for
                 the
                 morning
              
               do
               not
               only
               desire
               it
               ,
               and
               prepare
               for
               it
               ,
               but
               they
               expect
               it
               ,
               and
               know
               assuredly
               that
               it
               will
               come
               .
               Though
               darkness
               may
               for
               a
               time
               be
               troublesome
               ,
               and
               continue
               longer
               than
               they
               would
               desire
               ,
               yet
               they
               know
               that
               the
               morning
               hath
               its
               appointed
               time
               of
               return
               ,
               beyond
               which
               it
               will
               not
               tarry
               ;
               and
               therefore
               they
               look
               out
               for
               its
               Appearance
               on
               all
               occasions
               :
               so
               it
               is
               with
               the
               soul
               in
               this
               matter
               .
               So
               ,
               sayes
               
                 David
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               5.
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 direct
                 my
                 prayer
                 unto
                 thee
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 and
                 look
                 up
              
               .
               So
               we
               ;
               the
               words
               before
               are
               defective
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 in
                 the
                 morning
              
               ,
               or
               rather
               every
               morning
               ,
               I
               
               
                 will
                 order
                 unto
                 thee
              
               .
               We
               restrain
               this
               unto
               prayer
               .
               
                 I
                 will
                 direct
                 my
                 peayer
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
              
               But
               this
               was
               expressed
               directly
               in
               the
               words
               foregoing
               ;
               
                 In
                 the
                 morning
                 thou
                 shalt
                 hear
                 my
                 voice
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               voice
               of
               my
               prayer
               and
               supplications
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               often
               supplied
               .
               And
               although
               the
               Psalmist
               doth
               sometime
               repeat
               the
               same
               thing
               in
               different
               Expressions
               ,
               yet
               here
               he
               seemeth
               not
               so
               to
               do
               ,
               but
               rather
               proceeds
               to
               declare
               the
               general
               frame
               of
               his
               spirit
               in
               walking
               with
               God.
               I
               will
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 order
                 all
                 things
                 towards
                 God
              
               ,
               so
               as
               that
               I
               may
               wait
               upon
               him
               in
               the
               waies
               of
               his
               appoinment
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 and
                 will
                 look
                 up
              
               .
               It
               seems
               in
               our
               Translation
               to
               express
               his
               
                 posture
                 in
                 his
                 prayer
              
               .
               But
               the
               Word
               is
               of
               another
               importance
               .
               It
               is
               diligently
               to
               
                 look
                 out
              
               after
               that
               which
               is
               coming
               towards
               us
               ,
               a
               looking
               out
               after
               the
               Accomplishment
               of
               our
               Expectation
               .
               This
               is
               a
               part
               of
               our
               
                 waiting
                 for
                 God
              
               ;
               yea
               ,
               as
               was
               said
               ,
               the
               life
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               principally
               intended
               in
               it
               .
               The
               Prophet
               calls
               it
               
                 his
                 standing
                 upon
                 his
                 watch
                 tower
                 ,
              
               and
               watching
               to
               see
               what
               God
               would
               speak
               unto
               him
               ,
               Hab.
               2.
               3.
               namely
               ,
               in
               answer
               unto
               that
               prayer
               which
               he
               put
               up
               in
               his
               trouble
               .
               He
               is
               now
               waiting
               in
               Expectation
               of
               an
               answer
               from
               God.
               And
               this
               is
               that
               which
               poor
               ,
               weak
               ,
               trembling
               sinners
               are
               so
               encouraged
               unto
               ,
               Isa.
               53.
               3
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 Strengthen
                 the
                 weak
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 confirm
                 the
                 feeble
                 knees
                 ;
                 say
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 fearfull
                 heart
                 ,
                 be
                 strong
                 ,
                 fear
                 not
                 ,
                 behold
                 your
                 God
                 will
                 come
                 .
              
               Weakness
               and
               discouragements
               are
               the
               effects
               of
               Unbelief
               .
               These
               he
               would
               have
               removed
               with
               an
               Expectation
               of
               the
               
                 coming
                 of
                 God
              
               unto
               the
               soul
               according
               to
               the
               Promise
               .
               And
               this
               I
               say
               belongs
               unto
               the
               waiting
               of
               the
               soul
               in
               the
               condition
               described
               .
               Such
               a
               one
               doth
               expect
               and
               hope
               that
               God
               will
               in
               his
               season
               manifest
               himself
               and
               his
               Love
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               give
               him
               an
               experimental
               sense
               of
               a
               blessed
               interest
               in
               forgiveness
               .
               And
               the
               accomplishment
               of
               this
               purpose
               and
               promise
               of
               God
               ,
               it
               looks
               out
               after
               continually
               .
               It
               will
               not
               despond
               and
               be
               heartless
               ,
               but
               stir
               up
               and
               strengthen
               it self
               unto
               a
               full
               expectation
               to
               have
               the
               desires
               of
               his
               soul
               satisfied
               in
               due
               time
               :
               as
               we
               find
               David
               doing
               in
               places
               almost
               innumerable
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               the
               duty
               that
               in
               the
               
                 first
                 place
              
               is
               recommended
               unto
               the
               soul
               ,
               who
               is
               perswaded
               that
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               God
               ,
               but
               sees
               not
               its
               own
               interest
               therein
               .
               Wait
               on
               ,
               or
               for
               the
               Lord.
               
               And
               it
               hath
               two
               properties
               when
               it
               is
               performed
               in
               a
               due
               manner
               ;
               namely
               ,
               patience
               and
               perseverance
               .
               By
               the
               one
               men
               are
               kept
               to
               the
               length
               of
               Gods
               time
               ;
               by
               the
               other
               they
               are
               preserved
               in
               a
               due
               length
               of
               their
               own
               duty
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               is
               that
               which
               was
               laid
               down
               in
               the
               
                 first
                 Proposition
              
               drawn
               from
               the
               words
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               continuance
               in
               watching
               ,
               until
               God
               appears
               unto
               the
               soul
               is
               necessary
               ,
               as
               that
               without
               which
               we
               cannot
               attain
               what
               we
               look
               after
               ,
               and
               prevailing
               ,
               as
               that
               wherein
               we
               shall
               never
               fail
               .
            
             
               God
               is
               not
               to
               be
               limited
               ,
               nor
               his
               times
               prescribed
               unto
               him
               .
               We
               know
               our
               way
               ,
               and
               the
               end
               of
               our
               Journey
               ;
               but
               our
               stations
               of
               especial
               rest
               ,
               we
               must
               wait
               for
               at
               his
               mouth
               ,
               as
               the
               people
               did
               in
               the
               wilderness
               .
               When
               David
               comes
               to
               deal
               with
               God
               in
               his
               great
               distress
               ,
               he
               sayes
               unto
               him
               ,
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 my
                 times
                 are
                 in
                 thine
                 hand
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               31.
               14
               ,
               15.
               
               His
               times
               of
               trouble
               ,
               and
               of
               peace
               ,
               of
               darkness
               and
               of
               light
               ,
               he
               acknowledged
               to
               be
               in
               the
               hand
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               disposal
               of
               God
               ;
               so
               that
               it
               was
               his
               duty
               to
               wait
               his
               time
               and
               season
               for
               his
               share
               and
               portion
               in
               them
               .
            
             
               During
               this
               state
               the
               soul
               meets
               with
               many
               Oppositions
               ,
               difficulties
               and
               perplexities
               ,
               especially
               if
               its
               darkness
               be
               of
               long
               continuance
               ,
               as
               with
               some
               it
               abides
               many
               years
               ,
               with
               some
               all
               the
               daies
               of
               their
               lives
               .
               Their
               hope
               being
               hereby
               deferred
               ,
               makes
               their
               hearts
               sick
               ,
               and
               their
               spirit
               oftentimes
               to
               faint
               ;
               and
               this
               fainting
               is
               a
               defect
               in
               waiting
               ,
               for
               want
               of
               perseverance
               and
               continuance
               which
               frustrates
               the
               End
               of
               it
               .
               So
               
                 David
                 ,
                 Psal.
              
               27.
               13.
               
               
                 I
                 had
                 fainted
                 unless
                 I
                 had
                 believed
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Had
               I
               not
               received
               supportment
               by
               faith
               ,
               I
               had
               fainted
               .
               And
               wherein
               doth
               that
               consist
               ?
               what
               was
               the
               fainting
               which
               he
               had
               been
               overtaken
               withall
               without
               the
               supportment
               mentioned
               ?
               it
               was
               a
               relinquishment
               of
               waiting
               on
               God
               ,
               as
               he
               manifests
               by
               the
               Exhortation
               which
               he
               gives
               to
               himself
               and
               others
               ,
               v.
               14.
               
               
                 Wait
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 be
                 of
                 good
                 courage
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 strengthen
                 thy
                 heart
                 ;
                 wait
                 I
                 say
                 on
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               Wait
               with
               courage
               and
               resolution
               that
               thou
               faint
               not
               .
               And
               the
               Apostle
               puts
               the
               blessed
               Event
               of
               Faith
               and
               Obedience
               upon
               the
               avoidance
               of
               this
               evil
               ,
               Gal.
               6.
               9.
               
               
                 We
                 shall
                 reap
                 if
                 we
                 faint
                 not
                 .
              
               Hence
               we
               have
               both
               encouragements
               given
               against
               it
               ,
               and
               promises
               
               that
               in
               the
               way
               of
               God
               we
               shall
               not
               be
               overtaken
               with
               it
               .
               
                 Consider
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
              
               ,
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 the
                 Captain
                 of
                 your
                 salvation
                 ,
                 lest
                 you
                 be
                 wearied
                 and
                 faint
                 in
                 your
                 minds
                 ,
              
               Heb.
               12.
               3.
               
               Nothing
               else
               can
               cause
               you
               to
               come
               short
               of
               the
               mark
               aimed
               at
               .
               And
               they
               ,
               saith
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               
                 who
                 wait
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ,
               that
               is
               in
               the
               use
               of
               the
               means
               by
               him
               appointed
               ,
               
                 shall
                 not
                 faint
                 ,
                 Isa.
              
               40.
               11.
               
            
             
               This
               
                 continuance
                 then
                 in
                 waiting
              
               is
               to
               accompany
               this
               duty
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               both
               the
               things
               mentioned
               in
               the
               Proposition
               ;
               that
               it
               is
               
                 indispensibly
                 necessary
              
               on
               our
               own
               account
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               
                 assuredly
                 prevailing
              
               in
               the
               end
               ;
               it
               will
               not
               fail
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               It
               is
               necessary
               .
               They
               that
               
                 watch
                 for
                 the
                 morning
              
               ,
               to
               whose
               frame
               and
               actings
               ,
               the
               waiting
               of
               the
               soul
               for
               God
               is
               compared
               ,
               give
               not
               over
               until
               the
               Light
               doth
               appear
               ,
               or
               if
               they
               do
               ,
               if
               they
               are
               wearied
               and
               faint
               ,
               and
               so
               cease
               watching
               ,
               all
               their
               former
               pains
               will
               be
               lost
               ,
               and
               they
               will
               lye
               down
               in
               disappointments
               .
               So
               will
               it
               be
               with
               the
               soul
               that
               deserts
               its
               watch
               ,
               and
               faints
               in
               its
               waiting
               .
               If
               upon
               the
               eruption
               of
               new
               lusts
               or
               corruptions
               ;
               if
               upon
               the
               return
               of
               
                 old
                 temptations
              
               ,
               or
               the
               Assaults
               of
               new
               ones
               ;
               if
               upon
               a
               revived
               perplexing
               sense
               of
               guilt
               ,
               or
               on
               the
               tediousness
               of
               working
               and
               labouring
               so
               much
               and
               so
               long
               in
               the
               dark
               ,
               the
               soul
               begins
               to
               say
               in
               it self
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 looked
                 for
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 darkness
              
               ;
               for
               peace
               ,
               and
               yet
               trouble
               cometh
               ;
               the
               Summer
               is
               past
               ,
               the
               Harvest
               is
               ended
               ,
               and
               I
               am
               not
               relieved
               ;
               such
               and
               such
               blessed
               means
               have
               been
               enjoyed
               ,
               and
               yet
               I
               have
               not
               attained
               rest
               ,
               and
               so
               gives
               over
               its
               waiting
               in
               the
               way
               and
               course
               before
               prescribed
               ,
               it
               will
               at
               length
               
                 utterly
                 fail
              
               and
               come
               short
               of
               the
               Grace
               aimed
               at
               .
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 laboured
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 not
                 fainted
                 ,
              
               brings
               in
               the
               reward
               ,
               Rev.
               2.
               3.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Perseverance
               in
               waiting
               is
               
                 assuredly
                 prevalent
              
               ;
               and
               this
               renders
               it
               a
               necessary
               part
               of
               the
               duty
               it self
               .
               If
               we
               continue
               to
               wait
               for
               the
               vision
               of
               peace
               ,
               it
               will
               come
               ,
               it
               will
               not
               tarry
               but
               answer
               our
               expectation
               of
               it
               .
               Never
               soul
               miscarried
               that
               abode
               in
               this
               duty
               unto
               the
               end
               .
               The
               
                 Joyes
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               may
               sometimes
               prevent
               consolations
               in
               this
               life
               ;
               God
               sometimes
               gives
               in
               the
               full
               Harvest
               without
               sending
               of
               the
               first
               fruits
               aforehand
               ;
               But
               Spiritual
               or
               
                 Eternal
                 peace
              
               and
               Rest
               is
               the
               infallible
               End
               of
               permanent
               waiting
               for
               God.
               
            
             
             
               This
               is
               the
               Duty
               that
               the
               Psalmist
               declares
               himself
               to
               be
               ingaged
               in
               ,
               upon
               the
               incouraging
               discovery
               which
               was
               made
               unto
               him
               of
               
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 God.
                 There
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 thee
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 feared
                 ,
                 I
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 my
                 soul
                 doth
                 wait
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 word
                 do
                 I
                 hope
              
               :
               And
               this
               is
               that
               which
               in
               the
               like
               condition
               is
               required
               of
               us
               .
               This
               is
               the
               great
               direction
               which
               was
               given
               us
               in
               the
               Example
               and
               practice
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               as
               to
               our
               Duty
               and
               deportment
               in
               the
               condition
               described
               .
               This
               was
               the
               Way
               whereby
               he
               
                 rose
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 depths
              
               and
               escaped
               out
               of
               his
               entanglements
               ?
               Is
               this
               then
               the
               state
               of
               any
               of
               us
               ;
               let
               such
               take
               directions
               from
               hence
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Encourage
                 your
                 souls
                 unto
                 waiting
                 on
                 God.
              
               Do
               new
               fears
               arise
               ,
               do
               old
               disconsolations
               continue
               ,
               say
               unto
               your
               souls
               ,
               
                 yet
                 wait
                 on
                 God
                 ;
                 why
                 are
                 you
                 cast
                 down
                 O
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 are
                 you
                 disquieted
                 within
                 us
                 ,
                 hope
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 we
                 shall
                 yet
                 praise
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 our
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 God
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               Psalmist
               doth
               in
               the
               like
               case
               ,
               Psal.
               43.
               5.
               so
               he
               speaks
               elsewhere
               ,
               wait
               on
               God
               ;
               and
               be
               of
               good
               courage
               ,
               shake
               of
               sloth
               ,
               rouse
               up
               your selves
               from
               under
               despondencies
               ,
               let
               not
               fears
               prevail
               .
               This
               is
               the
               only
               way
               for
               success
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               assuredly
               be
               prevalent
               ;
               Oppose
               this
               Resolution
               to
               every
               discouragement
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               give
               new
               life
               to
               faith
               and
               hope
               ;
               say
               ,
               my
               
                 flesh
                 faileth
              
               ,
               and
               
                 my
                 heart
                 faileth
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 rock
                 of
                 my
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 portion
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
              
               as
               Psal.
               73.
               26.
               
               Though
               thy
               
                 perplexed
                 thoughts
              
               have
               even
               wearied
               and
               worn
               out
               the
               outward
               man
               ,
               as
               in
               many
               they
               do
               ,
               so
               that
               
                 flesh
                 faileth
              
               ;
               and
               though
               thou
               hast
               no
               refreshing
               evidence
               from
               within
               ,
               from
               thy self
               ,
               or
               thy
               own
               Experience
               ,
               so
               that
               thy
               
                 heart
                 faileth
              
               ;
               yet
               resolve
               to
               look
               unto
               God
               ;
               there
               is
               strength
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               satisfaction
               in
               him
               ,
               for
               the
               whole
               man
               ;
               he
               is
               a
               Rock
               ,
               and
               a
               portion
               ;
               this
               will
               strengthen
               things
               which
               otherwise
               will
               be
               ready
               to
               dye
               .
               This
               will
               keep
               life
               in
               thy
               course
               ,
               and
               stir
               thee
               up
               to
               plead
               it
               with
               God
               in
               an
               acceptable
               season
               when
               he
               will
               be
               found
               .
               Job
               carryed
               up
               his
               condition
               unto
               a
               supposition
               that
               God
               might
               
                 slay
                 him
              
               ;
               that
               is
               add
               one
               stroke
               ,
               one
               rebuke
               unto
               another
               untill
               he
               was
               consumed
               ;
               and
               so
               take
               him
               out
               of
               the
               world
               in
               darkness
               and
               in
               sorrow
               .
               Yet
               he
               resolved
               to
               trust
               ,
               to
               hope
               ,
               to
               wait
               on
               him
               ,
               as
               knowing
               that
               he
               should
               not
               utterly
               miscarry
               so
               doing
               ;
               this
               frame
               the
               
               Church
               expresseth
               so
               admirably
               that
               nothing
               can
               be
               added
               thereunto
               ,
               Lament
               .
               3.
               17
               ,
               18
               ,
               19
               ,
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22
               ,
               23
               ,
               24
               ,
               25
               ,
               26.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 removed
                 my
                 soul
                 far
                 off
                 from
                 peace
                 ,
                 I
                 forgat
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 hope
                 is
                 perished
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 remembring
                 mine
                 Affliction
                 and
                 my
                 misery
                 ;
                 my
                 Wormwood
                 and
                 my
                 Gall
                 ;
                 My
                 soul
                 hath
                 them
                 still
                 in
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 humbled
                 in
                 me
                 .
                 This
                 I
                 recall
                 to
                 my
                 mind
                 therefore
                 have
                 I
                 hope
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 mercy
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 consumed
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 compassions
                 fail
                 not
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 new
                 every
                 Morning
                 ,
                 great
                 is
                 thy
                 faithfulness
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 my
                 portion
                 ,
                 saith
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 therefore
                 will
                 I
                 hope
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 is
                 good
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 that
                 seeketh
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 both
                 hope
                 and
                 quietly
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 God.
              
               We
               have
               here
               both
               the
               Condition
               ,
               and
               the
               Duty
               insisted
               on
               ,
               with
               the
               method
               of
               the
               souls
               actings
               in
               reference
               unto
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               fully
               expressed
               .
               The
               Condition
               is
               sad
               and
               bitter
               ,
               the
               soul
               is
               in
               depths
               far
               from
               peace
               and
               rest
               ,
               v.
               14.
               in
               this
               state
               it
               is
               ready
               utterly
               to
               faint
               and
               to
               give
               all
               for
               lost
               and
               gone
               ,
               both
               strength
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               and
               hopes
               for
               the
               future
               ,
               v.
               18.
               
               This
               makes
               its
               condition
               full
               of
               sorrow
               and
               bitterness
               ,
               and
               its
               own
               thoughts
               become
               unto
               it
               like
               
                 Wormwood
                 and
                 Gall
              
               ,
               v.
               19
               ,
               20.
               
               But
               doth
               he
               lye
               down
               under
               the
               burden
               of
               all
               this
               trouble
               ?
               doth
               he
               despond
               ,
               and
               give
               over
               ?
               no
               saith
               he
               ,
               I
               call
               to
               mind
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
              
               ;
               Grace
               ,
               Mercy
               ,
               Goodness
               ,
               for
               the
               relief
               of
               distressed
               souls
               ;
               such
               as
               are
               in
               my
               condition
               ,
               v.
               21
               ,
               22
               ,
               23.
               
               Thence
               the
               conclusion
               is
               ,
               that
               as
               all
               help
               is
               to
               be
               looked
               for
               ,
               all
               relief
               expected
               from
               him
               alone
               ;
               so
               it
               is
               
                 good
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 quietly
                 wait
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 for
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 God.
              
               This
               he
               stirs
               up
               himself
               unto
               ,
               as
               the
               best
               ,
               as
               the
               most
               blessed
               course
               for
               his
               deliverance
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Remember
               ,
               
                 that
                 diligent
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 for
                 the
                 end
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
              
               is
               a
               necessary
               concomitant
               of
               ,
               and
               ingredient
               unto
               waiting
               on
               God.
               Take
               in
               the
               consideration
               of
               this
               direction
               also
               .
               Do
               not
               think
               to
               be
               freed
               from
               your
               entanglements
               ,
               by
               restless
               ,
               heartless
               desiring
               that
               it
               were
               otherwise
               with
               you
               :
               Means
               are
               to
               be
               used
               that
               relief
               may
               be
               obtained
               .
               What
               those
               means
               are
               ,
               is
               known
               unto
               all
               .
               Mortification
               of
               sin
               ,
               prayer
               ,
               meditation
               ,
               due
               attendance
               upon
               all
               Gospel
               Ordinances
               ;
               conferring
               in
               General
               about
               spiritual
               things
               ,
               advising
               in
               particular
               about
               our
               
               own
               state
               and
               condition
               ,
               with
               such
               who
               having
               received
               the
               tongue
               of
               the
               learned
               are
               able
               to
               speak
               a
               word
               in
               season
               ,
               to
               them
               that
               are
               weary
               ,
               are
               required
               to
               this
               purpose
               .
               And
               in
               all
               these
               are
               diligence
               and
               perseverance
               to
               be
               exercised
               ;
               or
               in
               vain
               shall
               men
               desire
               a
               delivery
               from
               their
               entanglements
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   God
                   the
                   proper
                   Object
                   of
                   the
                   souls
                   waiting
                   in
                   its
                   distresses
                   and
                   depths
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 We
                 have
                 seen
                 what
                 
                   the
                   duty
                
                 is
                 intended
                 in
                 the
                 proposition
                 ;
                 we
                 are
                 nextly
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 Reason
                 also
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 why
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 principal
                 duty
                 of
                 souls
                 ;
                 who
                 in
                 their
                 depths
                 have
                 it
                 discovered
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 forgiveness
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 And
                 the
                 reason
                 hereof
                 is
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 expressed
                 in
                 our
                 second
                 Observation
                 before
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 namely
                 .
              
               
                 
                   That
                   the
                   proper
                   object
                   of
                   a
                   sin
                   distressed
                   souls
                   waiting
                   and
                   expectation
                   ,
                   is
                   God
                   himself
                   as
                   revealed
                   in
                   Christ.
                
                 I
                 have
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 waited
                 for
                 Jehovah
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 Grace
                 ,
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 help
                 or
                 relief
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 Jehovah
                 himself
                 that
                 I
                 wait
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 then
                 we
                 must
                 do
                 two
                 things
                 ,
                 first
                 ,
                 shew
                 in
                 what
                 sense
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   himself
                   is
                   the
                   object
                   of
                   the
                   waiting
                   of
                   the
                   soul.
                
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 How
                 it
                 appears
                 from
                 hence
                 
                   that
                   waiting
                   is
                   so
                   necessary
                   a
                   Duty
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   Jehovah
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 soul
                 waiteth
                 for
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 Grace
                 ,
                 mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 relief
                 absolutely
                 considered
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 Grace
                 and
                 help
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 full
                 adaequate
                 object
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 waiting
                 and
                 Expectation
                 ;
                 only
                 herein
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 considered
                 absolutely
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 there
                 
                   is
                   forgiveness
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 What
                 is
                 required
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 hath
                 been
                 at
                 large
                 before
                 declared
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 revealed
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 as
                 in
                 him
                 he
                 hath
                 found
                 
                   a
                   Ransome
                
                 ,
                 and
                 accepted
                 the
                 Attonement
                 for
                 sinners
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 in
                 Covenant
                 ;
                 so
                 he
                 is
                 himself
                 the
                 Object
                 of
                 our
                 waiting
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 ,
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Because
                 all
                 troubles
                 ,
                 depths
                 ,
                 entanglements
                 ,
                 arise
                 from
                 ,
                 (
                 1.
                 )
                 The
                 Absence
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 2.
                 )
                 From
                 his
                 displeasure
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 
                   Absence
                   of
                   God
                   from
                   the
                   soul
                   ,
                
                 by
                 his
                 departure
                 ,
                 withdrawing
                 ,
                 or
                 hiding
                 himself
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 principally
                 
                 casts
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 its
                 depths
                 .
                 
                   Woe
                   unto
                   them
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   I
                   depart
                   from
                   them
                
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 9.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 woe
                 ,
                 this
                 sorrow
                 doth
                 not
                 attend
                 only
                 an
                 universal
                 ,
                 a
                 total
                 departure
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 any
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 also
                 which
                 is
                 gradual
                 ,
                 or
                 partial
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 things
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 seasons
                 .
                 When
                 God
                 withdraws
                 his
                 enlightning
                 ,
                 his
                 refreshing
                 ,
                 his
                 comforting
                 presence
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 any
                 wayes
                 or
                 means
                 whereby
                 he
                 hath
                 formerly
                 communicated
                 himself
                 unto
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 any
                 ;
                 then
                 
                   woe
                   unto
                   them
                
                 ,
                 sorrows
                 will
                 befall
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 fall
                 into
                 depths
                 and
                 entanglements
                 .
                 Now
                 this
                 condition
                 calls
                 for
                 waiting
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 be
                 withdrawn
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 hides
                 himself
                 ,
                 what
                 hath
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 do
                 but
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 his
                 return
                 .
                 So
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 8.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   wait
                   upon
                   the
                   Lord
                   that
                   hideth
                   his
                   face
                   from
                   the
                   house
                   of
                
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   look
                   for
                   him
                   .
                   If
                   God
                   hide
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 natural
                 and
                 proper
                 duty
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 wait
                 and
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 Other
                 course
                 of
                 relief
                 it
                 cannot
                 apply
                 it self
                 unto
                 .
                 What
                 that
                 waiting
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 it
                 doth
                 consist
                 hath
                 been
                 declared
                 .
                 Patient
                 seeking
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 his
                 Appointment
                 is
                 comprized
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 this
                 the
                 Prophet
                 expresseth
                 in
                 that
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   look
                   for
                   him
                
                 ;
                 indeed
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 with
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   earnestly
                   look
                   out
                   after
                   him
                   with
                   expectation
                   of
                   his
                   return
                   unto
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 A
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   Gods
                   displeasure
                
                 is
                 another
                 cause
                 of
                 these
                 depths
                 and
                 troubles
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 it
                 hath
                 made
                 a
                 blessed
                 discovery
                 by
                 faith
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 forgiveness
                 ;
                 this
                 hath
                 been
                 so
                 fully
                 manifested
                 through
                 the
                 whole
                 preceding
                 discourse
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 need
                 not
                 again
                 be
                 insisted
                 on
                 .
                 All
                 hath
                 respect
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 trouble
                 that
                 ariseth
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 
                   displeasure
                   of
                   God
                
                 against
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 is
                 the
                 natural
                 posture
                 and
                 frame
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 towards
                 God
                 as
                 displeased
                 ?
                 shall
                 he
                 contend
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 shall
                 he
                 harden
                 himself
                 against
                 him
                 ?
                 shall
                 he
                 despise
                 his
                 wrath
                 and
                 anger
                 ,
                 and
                 contemn
                 his
                 threatnings
                 ?
                 or
                 shall
                 he
                 hide
                 himself
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 avoid
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 his
                 wrath
                 ?
                 who
                 knows
                 not
                 how
                 ruinous
                 and
                 pernitious
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 such
                 courses
                 would
                 be
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 many
                 are
                 ruined
                 by
                 them
                 every
                 day
                 ?
                 patient
                 waiting
                 is
                 the
                 souls
                 only
                 reserve
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 also
                 .
                 And
              
               
               
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 This
                 duty
                 in
                 the
                 occasion
                 mentioned
                 
                   is
                   necessary
                
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Greatness
                   and
                   soveraignty
                   of
                   him
                
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 
                   My
                   soul
                   waiteth
                   for
                   Jehovah
                
                 .
                 Indeed
                 waiting
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 that
                 depends
                 on
                 the
                 distance
                 that
                 is
                 between
                 the
                 persons
                 concerned
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 waiteth
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 waited
                 on
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 informs
                 us
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 123.
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 action
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 Servants
                 and
                 Handmaids
                 towards
                 their
                 Masters
                 or
                 Rulers
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 greater
                 this
                 distance
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 cogent
                 are
                 the
                 reasons
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 practically
                 averse
                 from
                 the
                 due
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 quickly
                 grow
                 
                   weary
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 our
                 full
                 conviction
                 of
                 its
                 necessity
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 a
                 little
                 insist
                 on
                 some
                 such
                 considerations
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 our selves
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 not
                 only
                 evince
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 satisfie
                 us
                 of
                 its
                 reasonableness
                 ;
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 first
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 engaged
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 latter
                 preserved
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Two
                 things
                 we
                 may
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 consider
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 Jehovah
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 
                   His
                   Being
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 absolute
                 and
                 essential
                 properties
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Those
                 Attributes
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 which
                 respect
                 
                   his
                   dealing
                   with
                   us
                
                 ;
                 both
                 which
                 are
                 suited
                 to
                 beget
                 in
                 us
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 frame
                 of
                 spirit
                 compliant
                 with
                 the
                 duty
                 proposed
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Considerations
                   of
                   God
                   rendring
                   our
                   Waiting
                   on
                   him
                   Reasonable
                   and
                   Necessary
                   .
                   His
                   glorious
                   Being
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 Let
                 us
                 consider
                 the
                 
                   infinite
                   glorious
                   Being
                   of
                   Jehovah
                
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 absolute
                 incommunicable
                 essential
                 Excellencies
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 try
                 whether
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 become
                 us
                 in
                 every
                 condition
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 especially
                 in
                 that
                 under
                 consideration
                 .
                 This
                 course
                 God
                 himself
                 took
                 with
                 Job
                 to
                 recover
                 him
                 from
                 his
                 discontents
                 and
                 complaints
                 ,
                 to
                 reduce
                 him
                 to
                 quietness
                 and
                 waiting
                 ,
                 He
                 sets
                 before
                 him
                 his
                 own
                 
                   Glorious
                   Greatness
                
                 ,
                 as
                 manifested
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 being
                 convinced
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 weakness
                 and
                 infinite
                 distance
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 humble
                 his
                 soul
                 into
                 the
                 most
                 
                   submissive
                   dependance
                
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 waiting
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 
                 chap.
                 42.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   I
                   abhor
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   my self
                   ,
                   and
                   repent
                   in
                   dust
                   and
                   ashes
                   .
                
                 His
                 soul
                 now
                 comes
                 to
                 be
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 Gods
                 disposal
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 he
                 found
                 present
                 rest
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 speedy
                 healing
                 of
                 his
                 condition
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 
                   high
                   and
                   losty
                   one
                   that
                   inhabiteth
                   Eternity
                   ,
                   whose
                   name
                   is
                   holy
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 57.
                 15.
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 now
                 to
                 do
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 
                   sitteth
                   upon
                   the
                   circle
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   inhabitants
                   of
                   it
                   are
                   as
                   Grashoppers
                   before
                   him
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   the
                   Nations
                   are
                   as
                   the
                   drop
                   of
                   the
                   bucket
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   counted
                   as
                   the
                   small
                   dust
                   of
                   the
                   ballance
                   ;
                   he
                   takes
                   up
                   the
                   Isles
                   as
                   a
                   very
                   little
                   thing
                   ;
                   all
                   Nations
                   before
                   him
                   are
                   as
                   nothing
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   counted
                   unto
                   him
                   less
                   than
                   nothing
                   and
                   vanity
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 15
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 set
                 forth
                 and
                 declare
                 his
                 glorious
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Power
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 all
                 might
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 large
                 is
                 declared
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 of
                 the
                 chapter
                 .
                 For
                 shall
                 Grashoppers
                 ,
                 a
                 drop
                 of
                 the
                 bucket
                 ,
                 dust
                 of
                 the
                 ballance
                 ,
                 things
                 less
                 than
                 nothing
                 ,
                 repine
                 against
                 ,
                 or
                 wax
                 weary
                 of
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 the
                 immense
                 ,
                 glorious
                 and
                 lofty
                 One
                 ?
                 He
                 that
                 
                   taketh
                   up
                   all
                   Isles
                   as
                   a
                   very
                   little
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 may
                 surely
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 please
                 ,
                 destroy
                 ,
                 cast
                 and
                 forsake
                 
                   one
                   Isle
                   ,
                   one
                   City
                
                 in
                 an
                 Isle
                 ,
                 
                   one
                   Person
                
                 in
                 a
                 City
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 before
                 him
                 but
                 single
                 persons
                 .
                 Serious
                 thoughts
                 of
                 this
                 
                   Infinite
                   All-Glorious
                   Being
                
                 ,
                 will
                 either
                 quiet
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 or
                 overwhelm
                 them
                 .
                 All
                 our
                 weariness
                 of
                 his
                 dispensations
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 arises
                 from
                 secret
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   as
                   our selves
                
                 ;
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 do
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 seems
                 
                   good
                   in
                   our
                   eyes
                
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 cannot
                 comprehend
                 his
                 Being
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 make
                 Rules
                 to
                 judge
                 of
                 his
                 waies
                 and
                 proceedings
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 
                   small
                   a
                   portion
                
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 we
                 know
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 The
                 nearest
                 approaches
                 of
                 our
                 reasons
                 and
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 leave
                 us
                 still
                 at
                 an
                 infinite
                 distance
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 what
                 we
                 speak
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 well
                 what
                 it
                 signifies
                 ,
                 we
                 only
                 declare
                 our
                 respect
                 unto
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 believe
                 ,
                 admire
                 and
                 adore
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 comprehend
                 .
                 All
                 our
                 thoughts
                 come
                 as
                 short
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Excellent
                   Greatness
                
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 natures
                 do
                 of
                 his
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 infinitely
                 .
                 Behold
                 the
                 Universe
                 ,
                 the
                 glorious
                 Fabrick
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ;
                 how
                 little
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 we
                 know
                 of
                 its
                 beauty
                 ,
                 order
                 and
                 disposal
                 ;
                 yet
                 was
                 it
                 all
                 the
                 product
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 his
                 mouth
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 facility
                 can
                 he
                 when
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 reduce
                 it
                 to
                 its
                 primitive
                 nothing
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 
                   poor
                   worms
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 ,
                 an
                 
                 inconsiderable
                 unknown
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 lower
                 series
                 and
                 order
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ;
                 few
                 in
                 number
                 ,
                 fading
                 in
                 condition
                 ,
                 unregarded
                 unto
                 the
                 residue
                 of
                 our
                 fellow-creatures
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 subduct
                 our selves
                 from
                 under
                 any
                 kind
                 of
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 weary
                 of
                 waiting
                 for
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 presseth
                 on
                 us
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 46.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   still
                   and
                   know
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   God.
                
                 Let
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 repinings
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 disputings
                 ,
                 continue
                 waiting
                 in
                 silence
                 and
                 patience
                 ;
                 consider
                 who
                 I
                 am
                 ;
                 
                   Be
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   know
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 Further
                 ,
                 to
                 help
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 a
                 little
                 also
                 fix
                 our
                 minds
                 towards
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Glorious
                   ,
                   Essential
                   ,
                   Incommunicable
                
                 properties
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 distinctly
                 ;
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 Eternity
                 .
                 This
                 Moses
                 proposeth
                 to
                 bring
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 Believers
                 to
                 submission
                 ,
                 trust
                 and
                 waiting
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 90.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   From
                   Everlasting
                   to
                   Everlasting
                   thou
                   art
                   God.
                
                 One
                 that
                 hath
                 his
                 Being
                 and
                 subsistence
                 not
                 in
                 a
                 
                   duration
                   of
                   time
                
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Eternity
                 it self
                 :
                 So
                 doth
                 Habakkuk
                 also
                 ,
                 chap.
                 1.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   My
                   Lord
                   ,
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   Holy
                   One
                   ,
                   art
                   thou
                   not
                   from
                   Everlasting
                
                 :
                 And
                 hence
                 he
                 draws
                 his
                 conclusion
                 against
                 making
                 hast
                 in
                 any
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 
                   tarrying
                   and
                   waiting
                
                 for
                 God.
                 The
                 like
                 Consideration
                 is
                 managed
                 by
                 David
                 also
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 102.
                 27.
                 
                 How
                 unconceivable
                 is
                 this
                 
                   glorious
                   divine
                   Property
                
                 unto
                 the
                 thoughts
                 and
                 minds
                 of
                 men
                 ?
                 How
                 weak
                 are
                 the
                 waies
                 and
                 terms
                 whereby
                 they
                 go
                 about
                 to
                 express
                 it
                 ?
                 One
                 sayes
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   nunc
                   stans
                
                 ;
                 another
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 
                   perpetual
                   Duration
                
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 sayes
                 most
                 ,
                 only
                 signifies
                 what
                 he
                 knows
                 
                   of
                   what
                   it
                   is
                   not
                
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 of
                 Yesterday
                 ,
                 change
                 every
                 moment
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 leaving
                 our
                 station
                 to
                 morrow
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 
                   still
                   the
                   same
                
                 ,
                 was
                 so
                 before
                 the
                 world
                 was
                 ,
                 from
                 Eternity
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 I
                 cannot
                 
                   think
                   what
                   I
                   have
                   said
                
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 have
                 intimated
                 what
                 I
                 adore
                 .
                 The
                 whole
                 Duration
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 unto
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 takes
                 up
                 no
                 space
                 in
                 this
                 Eternity
                 of
                 God.
                 Fow
                 how
                 long
                 soever
                 it
                 hath
                 continued
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 yet
                 continue
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 all
                 amount
                 but
                 to
                 so
                 
                   many
                   thousand
                   years
                
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 time
                 ;
                 and
                 time
                 hath
                 no
                 place
                 in
                 Eternity
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 us
                 who
                 have
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 our
                 continuance
                 unto
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ?
                 a
                 moment
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 .
                 When
                 mens
                 lives
                 were
                 of
                 old
                 prolonged
                 beyond
                 the
                 date
                 &
                 
                   continuance
                   of
                   Empires
                
                 or
                 Kingdoms
                 now
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 winding
                 up
                 of
                 all
                 ;
                 
                   such
                   a
                   one
                   lived
                   so
                   many
                   years
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   he
                   dyed
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 poor
                 worms
                 ,
                 whose
                 lives
                 are
                 measured
                 by
                 inches
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 their
                 span
                 ?
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 before
                 the
                 Eternal
                 God
                 ?
                 God
                 alwaies
                 
                   immutably
                   subsisting
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Infinite
                   Being
                
                 ?
                 A
                 real
                 Consideration
                 hereof
                 will
                 subdue
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 a
                 condition
                 of
                 dependence
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 waiting
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Immensity
                 of
                 his
                 Essence
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Omnipresence
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 consideration
                 .
                 
                   Do
                   not
                   I
                   fill
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 23.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Heavens
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   Heavens
                   of
                   Heavens
                   ,
                
                 the
                 supreme
                 and
                 most
                 comprehensive
                 created
                 Being
                 
                   cannot
                   contain
                
                 him
                 ,
                 saith
                 Solomon
                 .
                 In
                 his
                 infinitely
                 Glorious
                 Being
                 he
                 is
                 present
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 indistant
                 from
                 all
                 places
                 ,
                 things
                 ,
                 times
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 gloriously
                 subsisting
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 where
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 ;
                 and
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 is
                 himself
                 ;
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 ,
                 no
                 space
                 ,
                 real
                 or
                 imaginary
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 ;
                 for
                 place
                 and
                 imagination
                 have
                 nothing
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 Immensity
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 present
                 every
                 where
                 in
                 the
                 Creation
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 am
                 writing
                 ,
                 where
                 you
                 are
                 reading
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 present
                 with
                 you
                 ,
                 indistant
                 from
                 you
                 .
                 The
                 thoughts
                 of
                 mens
                 hearts
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 are
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 Essence
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 only
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 if
                 some
                 think
                 he
                 is
                 there
                 ,
                 seeing
                 they
                 live
                 and
                 act
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 neither
                 God
                 nor
                 Devil
                 but
                 themselves
                 .
                 But
                 on
                 these
                 apprehensions
                 such
                 thoughts
                 are
                 ready
                 secretly
                 to
                 arise
                 ,
                 and
                 effectually
                 to
                 prevail
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 expressed
                 ,
                 Joh
                 22.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 
                   How
                   doth
                   God
                   know
                   ?
                   Can
                   he
                   judge
                   through
                   the
                   dark
                   ;
                   thick
                   clouds
                   are
                   as
                   a
                   covering
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   he
                   seeth
                   not
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   walketh
                   in
                   the
                   circuit
                   of
                   the
                   Heavens
                   .
                
                 Apprehensions
                 of
                 Gods
                 distance
                 from
                 men
                 ,
                 harden
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 waies
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 utterly
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 God
                 is
                 
                   every
                   where
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 say
                 with
                 
                   Jacob
                   ,
                   God
                   is
                   in
                   this
                   place
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   knew
                   it
                   not
                   .
                
                 Let
                 the
                 soul
                 then
                 who
                 is
                 thus
                 called
                 to
                 wait
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 exercise
                 it self
                 with
                 thoughts
                 about
                 this
                 
                   Immensity
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                
                 and
                 Being
                 .
                 Comprehend
                 it
                 ,
                 fully
                 understand
                 it
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 never
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 it
                 will
                 give
                 that
                 
                   awe
                   of
                   his
                   Greatness
                
                 upon
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 learn
                 to
                 tremble
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 willing
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 Thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holiness
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 or
                 infinite
                 self-purity
                 of
                 this
                 
                   Eternal
                   Immense
                   Being
                
                 ,
                 are
                 singularly
                 usefull
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 Eliphaz
                 affirms
                 that
                 he
                 received
                 by
                 vision
                 ,
                 to
                 reply
                 to
                 the
                 complaint
                 and
                 impatience
                 of
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 14.
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 After
                 he
                 hath
                 declared
                 his
                 vision
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 this
                 he
                 affirms
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Revelation
                 that
                 by
                 voice
                 was
                 made
                 unto
                 him
                 :
                 
                   Shall
                   mortal
                   man
                   be
                   more
                   just
                   than
                   God
                   ?
                   shall
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   more
                   pure
                   than
                   his
                   Maker
                   ?
                   Behold
                   be
                   puts
                   no
                   trust
                   in
                   his
                   Servants
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   he
                   chargeth
                   with
                   folly
                   .
                   How
                   much
                   less
                   on
                   them
                   that
                   dwell
                   in
                   houses
                   of
                   Clay
                   ;
                   whose
                   foundation
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   dust
                   ,
                   who
                   are
                   crushed
                   before
                   the
                   moth
                   ?
                
                 If
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 in
                 Heaven
                 do
                 not
                 answer
                 this
                 
                   infinite
                   Holiness
                
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 most
                 perfect
                 condition
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 meet
                 for
                 Worms
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 to
                 suppose
                 that
                 any
                 thing
                 which
                 proceeds
                 from
                 him
                 is
                 not
                 absolutely
                 Holy
                 and
                 perfect
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 best
                 for
                 them
                 ?
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   fiery
                   property
                
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whence
                 he
                 is
                 called
                 a
                 
                   Consuming
                   fire
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Everlasting
                   burnings
                
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Law
                 whereon
                 he
                 had
                 impressed
                 some
                 representation
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 
                   a
                   fiery
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 will
                 consume
                 and
                 burn
                 up
                 whatever
                 is
                 perverse
                 and
                 evil
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 Prophet
                 who
                 had
                 a
                 representation
                 of
                 
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 a
                 vision
                 ,
                 and
                 heard
                 the
                 Seraphims
                 proclaiming
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Woe
                   is
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   undone
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   am
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   unclean
                   lips
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 6.
                 5.
                 
                 He
                 thought
                 it
                 impossible
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 bear
                 that
                 near
                 approach
                 of
                 the
                 Holiness
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 with
                 the
                 remembrance
                 hereof
                 doth
                 Joshuah
                 still
                 the
                 people
                 with
                 the
                 terrour
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 chap.
                 14.
                 19.
                 
                 Let
                 such
                 souls
                 then
                 as
                 are
                 under
                 troubles
                 and
                 perplexities
                 on
                 any
                 account
                 ,
                 endeavour
                 to
                 exercise
                 their
                 thoughts
                 about
                 this
                 
                   infinite
                   Purity
                
                 and
                 
                   fiery
                   Holiness
                
                 of
                 God.
                 They
                 will
                 quickly
                 find
                 it
                 their
                 wisdom
                 to
                 become
                 as
                 weaned
                 children
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 content
                 themselves
                 with
                 what
                 he
                 shall
                 guide
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 fiery
                 Holiness
                 streams
                 from
                 his
                 Throne
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 7.
                 10.
                 and
                 would
                 quickly
                 consume
                 the
                 whole
                 Creation
                 ,
                 as
                 now
                 under
                 the
                 curse
                 ,
                 and
                 sin
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 interposing
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 His
                 
                   Glorious
                   Majesty
                
                 as
                 the
                 Ruler
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 Majesty
                 relates
                 unto
                 Government
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 calls
                 us
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 awe
                 of
                 him
                 as
                 doth
                 render
                 our
                 waiting
                 for
                 him
                 comely
                 and
                 necessary
                 .
                 
                 Gods
                 Throne
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 principally
                 do
                 the
                 glorious
                 beams
                 of
                 his
                 terrible
                 Majesty
                 shine
                 forth
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 hath
                 also
                 made
                 some
                 Representation
                 of
                 it
                 on
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 learn
                 to
                 fear
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 appearance
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 of
                 his
                 glory
                 in
                 the
                 
                   giving
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 will
                 judge
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 the
                 transgressors
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 who
                 obtain
                 not
                 an
                 acquitment
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 See
                 the
                 description
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 Exod.
                 19.
                 16
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 
                   So
                   terrible
                   was
                   the
                   sight
                   hereof
                   ,
                   that
                   Moses
                   himself
                   said
                   ,
                   I
                   exceedingly
                   fear
                   and
                   quake
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 effect
                 it
                 had
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 is
                 declared
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 20.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 it
                 ,
                 although
                 they
                 had
                 good
                 assurance
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 for
                 their
                 benefit
                 and
                 advantage
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 so
                 drew
                 nigh
                 and
                 manifested
                 his
                 Glory
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 Are
                 we
                 not
                 satisfied
                 with
                 our
                 condition
                 ?
                 cannot
                 we
                 wait
                 under
                 his
                 present
                 dispensations
                 ?
                 let
                 us
                 think
                 how
                 we
                 may
                 approach
                 unto
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 or
                 stand
                 before
                 his
                 
                   Glorious
                   Majesty
                
                 .
                 Will
                 not
                 the
                 dread
                 of
                 his
                 Excellency
                 fall
                 upon
                 us
                 ?
                 will
                 not
                 his
                 terrour
                 make
                 us
                 afraid
                 ?
                 shall
                 we
                 not
                 think
                 
                   his
                   way
                   best
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   his
                   time
                   best
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 our
                 duty
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 silent
                 before
                 him
                 ?
                 And
                 the
                 like
                 manifestation
                 hath
                 he
                 made
                 of
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 upon
                 the
                 Throne
                 unto
                 sundry
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 as
                 unto
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 6.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 to
                 
                   Ezekiel
                   .
                   chap.
                
                 1.
                 to
                 
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   chap.
                
                 7.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 to
                 
                   John
                   ,
                   Rev.
                
                 1.
                 
                 Read
                 the
                 places
                 attentively
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 to
                 tremble
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 not
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 forraign
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 This
                 God
                 is
                 our
                 God.
                 The
                 same
                 Throne
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Majesty
                 is
                 still
                 established
                 in
                 the
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 then
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 Hastes
                 and
                 heats
                 that
                 our
                 spirits
                 in
                 any
                 condition
                 are
                 prone
                 unto
                 ,
                 present
                 our selves
                 before
                 this
                 
                   Throne
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 consider
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 say
                 or
                 do
                 ;
                 what
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 and
                 spirit
                 will
                 become
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 safest
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 Glory
                 doth
                 encompass
                 us
                 every
                 moment
                 ,
                 although
                 we
                 perceive
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 but
                 a
                 few
                 daies
                 before
                 all
                 the
                 vails
                 and
                 shades
                 that
                 are
                 about
                 us
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 and
                 depart
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 shall
                 all
                 this
                 glory
                 appear
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 unto
                 endless
                 bliss
                 ,
                 or
                 everlasting
                 woe
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 know
                 that
                 nothing
                 in
                 our
                 dealings
                 with
                 him
                 doth
                 better
                 become
                 us
                 than
                 
                   silently
                   for
                   to
                   wait
                
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 speak
                 unto
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 depths
                 and
                 streights
                 .
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 instances
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 of
                 this
                 his
                 
                   Infinite
                   Greatness
                
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 Majesty
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 his
                 mighty
                 work
                 
                   of
                   creating
                   all
                   things
                
                 out
                 of
                 nothing
                 .
                 We
                 dwell
                 on
                 little
                 Mole-hills
                 in
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 we
                 know
                 the
                 least
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 that
                 spot
                 of
                 ground
                 which
                 is
                 given
                 us
                 for
                 our
                 habitation
                 here
                 below
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 unto
                 the
                 whole
                 
                   habitable
                   world
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fulness
                 thereof
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 an
                 amazing
                 thing
                 is
                 its
                 Greatness
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 
                   wide
                   and
                   large
                   Sea
                
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 creatures
                 therein
                 .
                 The
                 least
                 of
                 these
                 hath
                 a
                 beauty
                 ,
                 a
                 glory
                 ,
                 an
                 excellency
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 our
                 enquiries
                 end
                 in
                 admiration
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 is
                 but
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 the
                 lower
                 depressed
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 concerning
                 the
                 Heavens
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 creatures
                 of
                 Light
                 that
                 have
                 their
                 habitations
                 in
                 them
                 ?
                 who
                 can
                 conceive
                 the
                 beauty
                 ,
                 order
                 ,
                 use
                 and
                 course
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 The
                 consideration
                 hereof
                 caused
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   our
                   Lord
                   ,
                   how
                   excellent
                   and
                   glorious
                   art
                   thou
                   !
                
                 Psal.
                 8.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 rise
                 ,
                 spring
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 not
                 all
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   the
                   Power
                
                 of
                 this
                 glorious
                 God
                 ?
                 And
                 doth
                 he
                 not
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 them
                 speak
                 us
                 into
                 a
                 Reverence
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 ?
                 the
                 like
                 also
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 concerning
                 his
                 mighty
                 and
                 strange
                 works
                 of
                 Providence
                 in
                 the
                 Rule
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 he
                 who
                 brought
                 the
                 Flood
                 of
                 old
                 upon
                 the
                 world
                 of
                 ungodly
                 men
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 he
                 who
                 consumed
                 Sodom
                 and
                 Gomorrah
                 with
                 fire
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 setting
                 them
                 forth
                 as
                 Examples
                 unto
                 them
                 that
                 should
                 afterwards
                 live
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 suffering
                 the
                 vengeance
                 of
                 eternal
                 fire
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 he
                 who
                 destroyed
                 Aegypt
                 with
                 his
                 Plagues
                 ,
                 and
                 drowned
                 Pharaoh
                 with
                 his
                 Host
                 in
                 the
                 red
                 Sea
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 he
                 ,
                 one
                 of
                 whose
                 servants
                 flew
                 
                   an
                   hundred
                   and
                   fourscore
                   and
                   five
                   thousand
                   in
                   Senacheribs
                
                 Army
                 in
                 one
                 night
                 ?
                 that
                 opened
                 the
                 Earth
                 to
                 swallow
                 up
                 Dathan
                 and
                 Abiram
                 ?
                 and
                 sent
                 out
                 fire
                 from
                 the
                 Altar
                 to
                 devour
                 Nadab
                 and
                 Abibu
                 ?
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 all
                 ages
                 been
                 filled
                 with
                 such
                 instances
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Power
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 end
                 why
                 I
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 
                   Reasonableness
                   of
                   the
                   Duty
                
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 pressing
                 unto
                 ;
                 namely
                 to
                 wait
                 on
                 God
                 quietly
                 and
                 patiently
                 in
                 every
                 condition
                 of
                 
                 distress
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 else
                 becomes
                 us
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 this
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 Holy
                 one
                 ?
                 And
                 a
                 due
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 influence
                 our
                 minds
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 This
                 waiting
                 for
                 God
                 respecteth
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   of
                   the
                   Condition
                
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 containeth
                 not
                 only
                 
                   spiritual
                   depths
                
                 about
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 at
                 large
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 
                   providential
                   depths
                
                 ,
                 depths
                 of
                 trouble
                 or
                 affliction
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 exercised
                 withall
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 wise
                 providence
                 of
                 God.
                 In
                 reference
                 also
                 unto
                 these
                 ,
                 Waiting
                 in
                 patience
                 and
                 silence
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 
                   two
                   considerations
                
                 that
                 will
                 assist
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 duty
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 such
                 depths
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 of
                 Trouble
                 or
                 Affliction
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 first
                 of
                 these
                 is
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 those
                 properties
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 exerciseth
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 troubles
                 we
                 are
                 principally
                 to
                 regard
                 .
                 
                   The
                   second
                
                 is
                 the
                 Consideration
                 of
                 our selves
                 ,
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 deserved
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 former
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 are
                 
                   four
                   things
                
                 in
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 dealing
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 we
                 should
                 consider
                 ,
                 all
                 suited
                 to
                 work
                 in
                 us
                 the
                 end
                 aimed
                 at
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 is
                 his
                 Soveraignty
                 :
                 this
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 this
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 unto
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 dreadful
                 dispensations
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 our
                 souls
                 .
                 May
                 he
                 not
                 do
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 ?
                 who
                 shall
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 what
                 dost
                 thou
                 ?
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 give
                 them
                 countenance
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 so
                 doing
                 ?
                 He
                 made
                 all
                 this
                 world
                 of
                 nothing
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 have
                 made
                 
                   another
                   ,
                   more
                
                 ,
                 or
                 all
                 things
                 quite
                 otherwise
                 than
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 It
                 would
                 not
                 subsist
                 one
                 moment
                 without
                 his
                 
                   Omnipotent
                   supportment
                
                 .
                 Nothing
                 would
                 be
                 continued
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 ,
                 course
                 ,
                 use
                 ,
                 without
                 his
                 effectual
                 influence
                 and
                 countenance
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 thing
                 can
                 
                   be
                   ,
                   live
                
                 ,
                 or
                 act
                 a
                 moment
                 without
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 free
                 leave
                 ,
                 to
                 dispute
                 its
                 disposal
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 haste
                 unto
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 our
                 desires
                 ?
                 but
                 from
                 the
                 Angels
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 worms
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 grass
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 all
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 and
                 his
                 power
                 continually
                 .
                 Why
                 was
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Creation
                 ,
                 an
                 Angel
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Worm
                 ,
                 this
                 a
                 Man
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 
                   Brute
                   Beast
                
                 ;
                 is
                 it
                 from
                 their
                 own
                 Choice
                 ,
                 designing
                 or
                 contrivance
                 ,
                 or
                 brought
                 about
                 by
                 
                 their
                 own
                 wisdom
                 ;
                 or
                 is
                 it
                 meerly
                 from
                 the
                 Soveraign
                 pleasure
                 and
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 a
                 madness
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 repine
                 against
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 seeing
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 makes
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 disposeth
                 them
                 ;
                 nor
                 can
                 be
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 Even
                 the
                 repiner
                 himself
                 hath
                 his
                 Being
                 and
                 subsistence
                 upon
                 his
                 meer
                 pleasure
                 .
                 This
                 Soveraignty
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Elibu
                 pleads
                 in
                 his
                 dealings
                 with
                 Job
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 33.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 He
                 apprehended
                 that
                 Job
                 had
                 reasoned
                 against
                 Gods
                 sev
                 re
                 dispensations
                 towards
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 humble
                 himself
                 under
                 his
                 mighty
                 hand
                 wherewith
                 he
                 was
                 exercised
                 ,
                 nor
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 manner
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 what
                 doth
                 he
                 propose
                 unto
                 him
                 to
                 bring
                 him
                 unto
                 this
                 duty
                 ;
                 what
                 doth
                 he
                 reply
                 unto
                 his
                 reasonings
                 and
                 Complaints
                 ;
                 behold
                 saith
                 he
                 v.
                 12.
                 
                   in
                   this
                   thou
                   art
                   not
                   Just
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   answer
                   thee
                   ,
                   God
                   is
                   greater
                   than
                   man
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 13.
                 
                   why
                   dost
                   thou
                   strive
                   against
                   him
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   giveth
                   not
                   account
                   of
                   any
                   of
                   his
                   matters
                   .
                
                 Be
                 it
                 that
                 in
                 other
                 things
                 thou
                 art
                 Just
                 and
                 Innocent
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 things
                 wherewith
                 thy
                 friends
                 have
                 charged
                 thee
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 
                   this
                   matter
                   thou
                   art
                   not
                   Just
                
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 neither
                 just
                 nor
                 equal
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 man
                 should
                 complain
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 repine
                 against
                 any
                 of
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 suppose
                 that
                 these
                 dealings
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 very
                 
                   griev
                   us
                
                 ,
                 very
                 dreadful
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 scarce
                 exercised
                 towards
                 any
                 from
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 utterly
                 destroyed
                 and
                 
                   consumed
                   in
                   a
                   day
                
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 Relations
                 ,
                 and
                 Enjoyments
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 at
                 a
                 time
                 and
                 season
                 ,
                 when
                 no
                 such
                 thing
                 was
                 looked
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 provided
                 against
                 ;
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 
                   sense
                   of
                   sin
                
                 revived
                 on
                 the
                 Conscience
                 after
                 pardon
                 obtained
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 me
                 ;
                 all
                 is
                 one
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 complainest
                 ,
                 thou
                 
                   art
                   not
                   Just
                
                 ;
                 And
                 what
                 reason
                 doth
                 he
                 give
                 thereof
                 ?
                 
                   why
                   God
                   is
                   greater
                   than
                   man
                
                 ;
                 infinitely
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 Soveraign
                 glory
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 absolutely
                 therein
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   giveth
                   no
                   account
                   of
                   any
                   of
                   his
                   matters
                
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 folly
                 ;
                 what
                 injustice
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 complain
                 of
                 his
                 proceedings
                 .
                 Consider
                 his
                 
                   absolute
                   dominion
                
                 over
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 over
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 ;
                 his
                 
                   infinite
                   distance
                
                 ,
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 Greatness
                 above
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 see
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 just
                 or
                 no
                 to
                 repine
                 against
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 pursues
                 the
                 same
                 Consideration
                 Chap.
                 34.
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 If
                 when
                 Kings
                 and
                 Princes
                 rule
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 contempt
                 of
                 their
                 Authority
                 to
                 
                 say
                 unto
                 them
                 
                   they
                   are
                   wicked
                   and
                   ungodly
                
                 ,
                 then
                 wilt
                 thou
                 speak
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 contend
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 accepteth
                 not
                 the
                 
                   persons
                   of
                   Princes
                   ,
                   nor
                   regardeth
                   the
                   rich
                   more
                   than
                   the
                   poor
                   ;
                   for
                   they
                   are
                   all
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   his
                   hands
                
                 ;
                 and
                 v.
                 29.
                 
                   when
                   he
                   giveth
                   quietness
                   who
                   can
                   make
                   trouble
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   he
                   hideth
                   his
                   face
                   ;
                   who
                   can
                   behold
                   him
                   ?
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   done
                   against
                   a
                   Nation
                   ,
                   or
                   against
                   a
                   man
                   only
                   .
                
                 All
                 is
                 one
                 ,
                 what
                 ever
                 God
                 doth
                 ,
                 and
                 towards
                 whomsoever
                 ,
                 be
                 they
                 many
                 or
                 few
                 ,
                 an
                 whole
                 Nation
                 or
                 City
                 ,
                 or
                 one
                 single
                 person
                 ,
                 be
                 they
                 high
                 or
                 low
                 ,
                 rich
                 or
                 poor
                 ,
                 good
                 or
                 bad
                 ,
                 all
                 are
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 may
                 deal
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 seems
                 Good
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 man
                 alone
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 afterwards
                 declares
                 ,
                 made
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 right
                 and
                 proper
                 mediums
                 to
                 take
                 of
                 Job
                 from
                 Complaining
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 compose
                 his
                 spirit
                 to
                 rest
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 bring
                 him
                 to
                 
                   wait
                   patiently
                
                 for
                 God.
                 For
                 whereas
                 his
                 other
                 friends
                 injuriously
                 charged
                 him
                 with
                 Hypocrisie
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 above
                 other
                 men
                 deserved
                 those
                 Judgements
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 exercised
                 withall
                 ;
                 he
                 who
                 was
                 conscious
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 was
                 only
                 provoked
                 and
                 exasperated
                 by
                 their
                 arguings
                 ,
                 and
                 stirred
                 up
                 to
                 plead
                 his
                 own
                 Innocency
                 and
                 uprightness
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 man
                 allowing
                 him
                 the
                 plea
                 of
                 his
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 calls
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Soveraignty
                 of
                 God
                 against
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 rising
                 up
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 God
                 himself
                 afterwards
                 calls
                 him
                 unto
                 .
              
               
                 Deep
                 and
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 of
                 Gods
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 and
                 absolute
                 Dominion
                 or
                 Authority
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 are
                 an
                 
                   effectual
                   means
                
                 to
                 work
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 bring
                 our
                 souls
                 to
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 consider
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 are
                 not
                 we
                 and
                 all
                 our
                 concernments
                 in
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Clay
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Potter
                 ?
                 and
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 do
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 ?
                 Shall
                 we
                 call
                 him
                 unto
                 an
                 account
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 good
                 and
                 holy
                 because
                 he
                 doth
                 it
                 ?
                 do
                 any
                 repining
                 thoughts
                 against
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 arise
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ?
                 are
                 any
                 Complaints
                 ready
                 to
                 break
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 mouths
                 ?
                 let
                 us
                 lay
                 our
                 hands
                 on
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 mouths
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 with
                 thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 absolute
                 Soveraignty
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 work
                 our
                 whole
                 souls
                 into
                 a
                 better
                 frame
                 .
              
               
               
                 And
                 this
                 extends
                 it self
                 unto
                 the
                 manners
                 ,
                 Times
                 ,
                 and
                 seasons
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 whatever
                 .
                 As
                 in
                 earthly
                 things
                 ;
                 If
                 God
                 will
                 bring
                 a
                 dreadful
                 Judgement
                 of
                 fire
                 upon
                 a
                 people
                 ,
                 a
                 Nation
                 ;
                 ah
                 ,
                 why
                 must
                 it
                 be
                 London
                 ;
                 If
                 on
                 London
                 ,
                 why
                 so
                 terrible
                 ,
                 raging
                 ,
                 and
                 unconquerable
                 ?
                 Why
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 Suburbs
                 ?
                 Why
                 my
                 house
                 ,
                 not
                 my
                 neighbours
                 ?
                 Why
                 had
                 such
                 one
                 help
                 and
                 I
                 none
                 ?
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 are
                 wholly
                 to
                 be
                 referred
                 to
                 Gods
                 Soveraign
                 pleasure
                 .
                 There
                 alone
                 can
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 Man
                 find
                 rest
                 and
                 peace
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 so
                 in
                 spiritual
                 dispensations
                 also
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 Aaron
                 upon
                 the
                 suddain
                 death
                 of
                 his
                 
                   two
                   eldest
                   Sons
                
                 ,
                 being
                 minded
                 by
                 Moses
                 of
                 Gods
                 Soverainty
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 immediatly
                 
                   held
                   his
                   peace
                
                 ,
                 or
                 quietly
                 humbled
                 himself
                 under
                 his
                 mighty
                 hand
                 ,
                 Levit.
                 10.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 David
                 when
                 things
                 were
                 brought
                 into
                 extream
                 confusion
                 by
                 the
                 Rebellion
                 of
                 Absolom
                 followed
                 by
                 the
                 Ungodly
                 multitude
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Nation
                 ,
                 relinquisheth
                 all
                 other
                 Arguments
                 and
                 Pleas
                 ,
                 and
                 le
                 ts
                 goe
                 complaints
                 in
                 a
                 resignation
                 of
                 himself
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 Concernments
                 unto
                 the
                 absolute
                 pleasure
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 15.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 extremities
                 must
                 we
                 bring
                 our
                 souls
                 unto
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 can
                 attain
                 any
                 rest
                 or
                 peace
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 least
                 comfortable
                 perswasion
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 yet
                 fall
                 under
                 greater
                 severities
                 in
                 the
                 just
                 Indignation
                 of
                 God
                 against
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 also
                 to
                 be
                 Considered
                 and
                 submitted
                 unto
                 .
                 Job
                 9.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   He
                   is
                   wise
                   in
                   heart
                   who
                   hath
                   hardened
                   himself
                   against
                   him
                   and
                   prospered
                   .
                
                 This
                 the
                 Prophet
                 joyns
                 with
                 his
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Soveraignty
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 40.
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 
                   There
                   is
                   no
                   searching
                   of
                   his
                   understanding
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Apostle
                 winds
                 up
                 all
                 his
                 Considerations
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 an
                 holy
                 Admiration
                 of
                 his
                 Knowledge
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 whence
                 his
                 
                   Judgement
                   becomes
                   unsearchable
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   wayes
                   past
                   finding
                   out
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 He
                 seeth
                 and
                 knoweth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 
                   Causes
                   ,
                   Effects
                
                 ,
                 consequences
                 and
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 utmost
                 reach
                 and
                 tendency
                 in
                 their
                 correspondencies
                 one
                 unto
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 suitableness
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 alone
                 judgeth
                 aright
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 wisest
                 of
                 men
                 as
                 David
                 speaks
                 
                   walk
                   in
                   a
                   shade
                
                 .
                 We
                 see
                 little
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 little
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 but
                 of
                 a
                 very
                 few
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 an
                 imperfect
                 manner
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 their
                 present
                 
                 appearances
                 ,
                 abstracted
                 from
                 their
                 Issues
                 ,
                 Successes
                 ,
                 Ends
                 ,
                 and
                 Relations
                 unto
                 other
                 things
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 further
                 wise
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   found
                   to
                   be
                   like
                   the
                   wild
                   Asses
                   Colt.
                
                 What
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 us
                 or
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 evil
                 to
                 it
                 or
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 but
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 open
                 and
                 naked
                 unto
                 God.
                 The
                 day
                 will
                 come
                 indeed
                 wherein
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 such
                 a
                 prospect
                 of
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 see
                 one
                 thing
                 so
                 set
                 against
                 another
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 find
                 
                   Goodness
                   ,
                   Beauty
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Order
                 in
                 them
                 all
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 all
                 done
                 in
                 number
                 ,
                 weight
                 and
                 measure
                 ;
                 that
                 nothing
                 could
                 have
                 been
                 otherwise
                 without
                 an
                 abridgement
                 of
                 his
                 glory
                 and
                 disadvantage
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 all
                 our
                 wisdom
                 consists
                 in
                 referring
                 all
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 who
                 doth
                 these
                 things
                 is
                 infinitely
                 wise
                 ,
                 he
                 knows
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 apt
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 such
                 seasons
                 all
                 things
                 will
                 go
                 to
                 wrack
                 with
                 our selves
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 or
                 with
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 ;
                 how
                 can
                 this
                 breach
                 be
                 repaired
                 ,
                 this
                 loss
                 made
                 up
                 ,
                 this
                 ruine
                 recovered
                 ?
                 peace
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 trade
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 our
                 substance
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 confusion
                 and
                 utter
                 desolation
                 lye
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 who
                 is
                 unskilled
                 and
                 unexperienced
                 should
                 be
                 at
                 Sea
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 every
                 time
                 the
                 vessel
                 wherein
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 seems
                 to
                 decline
                 on
                 either
                 side
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 apt
                 to
                 conceive
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 all
                 cast
                 away
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 not
                 
                   childishly
                   timerous
                
                 when
                 the
                 Master
                 shall
                 tell
                 him
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 danger
                 ,
                 bid
                 him
                 trust
                 to
                 his
                 skill
                 and
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 well
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 yield
                 quietness
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 indeed
                 in
                 a
                 storm
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 earth
                 seems
                 to
                 reel
                 and
                 stagger
                 like
                 à
                 drunken
                 man
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 our
                 souls
                 may
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 infinite
                 skill
                 and
                 wisdom
                 of
                 the
                 
                   great
                   Pilot
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   Creation
                   ,
                
                 who
                 stears
                 all
                 things
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Counsel
                 of
                 his
                 Will.
                 His
                 works
                 are
                 manifold
                 ;
                 in
                 Wisdom
                 hath
                 he
                 
                   made
                   all
                
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 104.
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 wisdom
                 doth
                 he
                 dispose
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 
                   All
                   these
                   things
                   come
                   forth
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   Hosts
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   wonderfully
                   in
                   counsel
                   ,
                   and
                   excellent
                   in
                   working
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 28.
                 29.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 meet
                 ,
                 usefull
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 for
                 ours
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Churches
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 City
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 our
                 Nativity
                 he
                 knows
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Creatures
                 not
                 one
                 .
                 This
                 infinite
                 Wisdom
                 of
                 God
                 also
                 are
                 we
                 therefore
                 to
                 resign
                 and
                 submit
                 our selves
                 unto
                 .
                 His
                 hand
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 is
                 guided
                 by
                 Infinite
                 
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 In
                 thoughts
                 thereof
                 ,
                 in
                 humbling
                 our selves
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 find
                 rest
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 pressures
                 will
                 work
                 us
                 to
                 a
                 waiting
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 also
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 That
                 name
                 in
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 used
                 to
                 denote
                 many
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 all
                 which
                 are
                 reducible
                 unto
                 the
                 infinite
                 
                   Rectitude
                   of
                   his
                   Nature
                
                 .
                 I
                 intend
                 that
                 at
                 present
                 which
                 is
                 called
                 
                   Justitia
                   Regiminis
                
                 ,
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 Rule
                 or
                 Government
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 remembred
                 by
                 
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   Gen.
                
                 18.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   Shall
                   not
                   the
                   Judge
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   do
                   right
                   ?
                
                 And
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 
                   Is
                   God
                   unjust
                   who
                   taketh
                   vengeance
                   ?
                   God
                   forbid
                   .
                
                 This
                 our
                 souls
                 are
                 to
                 own
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God.
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 righteous
                 ;
                 all
                 his
                 who
                 
                   will
                   do
                   no
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   whose
                   Throne
                   is
                   established
                   in
                   Judgement
                   .
                
                 However
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 dreadfull
                 ,
                 grievous
                 ,
                 and
                 seem
                 severe
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 righteous
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 sometimes
                 
                   rise
                   up
                   and
                   do
                   strange
                   acts
                   ,
                   strange
                   works
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 28.
                 21.
                 
                 Such
                 as
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 do
                 often
                 nor
                 ordinarily
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 shall
                 fill
                 the
                 world
                 with
                 dread
                 and
                 amazement
                 :
                 He
                 will
                 
                   answer
                   his
                   people
                   in
                   terrible
                   things
                
                 ?
                 But
                 yet
                 all
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 complain
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 righteous
                 ,
                 to
                 repine
                 against
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 highest
                 unrighteousness
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 .
                 Faith
                 then
                 fixing
                 the
                 soul
                 on
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 effectual
                 means
                 to
                 humble
                 it
                 under
                 his
                 mighty
                 hand
                 :
                 And
                 to
                 help
                 us
                 herein
                 we
                 may
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 God
                 
                   judgeth
                   not
                   as
                   man
                   judgeth
                
                 .
                 We
                 judge
                 by
                 the
                 
                   seeing
                   of
                   the
                   Eye
                
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 of
                 the
                 Ear
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 outward
                 appearances
                 and
                 evidences
                 .
                 But
                 God
                 
                   searcheth
                   the
                   heart
                
                 .
                 We
                 judge
                 upon
                 what
                 is
                 between
                 man
                 and
                 man
                 ,
                 God
                 principally
                 upon
                 what
                 is
                 between
                 himself
                 and
                 man.
                 And
                 what
                 do
                 we
                 know
                 or
                 understand
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 or
                 what
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 ;
                 what
                 purposes
                 ,
                 what
                 contrivances
                 ,
                 what
                 designs
                 ,
                 what
                 corrupt
                 affections
                 ,
                 what
                 sins
                 ,
                 what
                 transactions
                 have
                 been
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 them
                 ;
                 what
                 warnings
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 reproofs
                 ,
                 what
                 ingagements
                 they
                 have
                 made
                 ,
                 what
                 convictions
                 they
                 have
                 had
                 ,
                 what
                 use
                 they
                 were
                 putting
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 their
                 substance
                 ,
                 their
                 families
                 unto
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ;
                 we
                 know
                 nothing
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 no
                 judgement
                 of
                 the
                 
                 proceedings
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 Righteous
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 waies
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 ;
                 yea
                 the
                 most
                 terrible
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 secrets
                 of
                 all
                 hearts
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 ,
                 ah
                 how
                 glorious
                 will
                 be
                 his
                 
                   drowning
                   of
                   the
                   old
                   world
                   ,
                   firing
                   of
                   Sodom
                   ,
                
                 swallowing
                 up
                 of
                 Dathan
                 and
                 Abiram
                 in
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 the
                 utter
                 rejection
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 other
                 acts
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 seeming
                 to
                 be
                 accompanied
                 with
                 severity
                 ?
                 And
                 so
                 will
                 our
                 own
                 Tryals
                 inward
                 or
                 outward
                 appear
                 to
                 be
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   Judge
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 of
                 all
                 ages
                 ,
                 times
                 ,
                 places
                 ,
                 persons
                 ,
                 and
                 disposeth
                 of
                 all
                 so
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 tend
                 unto
                 the
                 
                   good
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 in
                 the
                 universe
                 .
                 Our
                 thoughts
                 are
                 bounded
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 our
                 Observations
                 and
                 Abilities
                 to
                 measure
                 things
                 ,
                 within
                 a
                 very
                 small
                 compass
                 .
                 Every
                 thing
                 stands
                 alone
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 see
                 little
                 of
                 its
                 beauty
                 or
                 order
                 ;
                 nor
                 do
                 know
                 how
                 it
                 ought
                 justly
                 to
                 be
                 disposed
                 of
                 .
                 That
                 particular
                 may
                 seem
                 deformed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 under
                 his
                 eye
                 ,
                 who
                 sees
                 all
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 
                   past
                   ,
                   present
                   and
                   to
                   come
                   ,
                
                 with
                 all
                 those
                 joynts
                 and
                 bands
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Order
                 ,
                 whereby
                 things
                 are
                 related
                 unto
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 is
                 beautifull
                 and
                 glorious
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 nothing
                 is
                 of
                 
                   its
                   self
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   by
                   its
                   self
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   to
                   its
                   self
                
                 ,
                 so
                 nothing
                 
                   stands
                   alone
                
                 ;
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 line
                 of
                 mutual
                 respect
                 that
                 runs
                 through
                 the
                 Creation
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 particular
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 its
                 changes
                 and
                 alterations
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 which
                 gives
                 it
                 its
                 Loveliness
                 ,
                 Life
                 and
                 Order
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 can
                 at
                 once
                 see
                 but
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 a
                 
                   goodly
                   statua
                
                 or
                 Colossus
                 ,
                 might
                 think
                 it
                 a
                 very
                 deformed
                 piece
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 that
                 views
                 it
                 altogether
                 ,
                 is
                 assured
                 of
                 its
                 due
                 proportion
                 symmetry
                 and
                 loveliness
                 .
                 Now
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 ages
                 and
                 persons
                 ,
                 all
                 thus
                 at
                 once
                 are
                 objected
                 unto
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 disposeth
                 them
                 with
                 respect
                 unto
                 the
                 whole
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 may
                 fill
                 up
                 its
                 own
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 sustain
                 its
                 part
                 and
                 share
                 in
                 the
                 
                   common
                   tendency
                
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 end
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 in
                 publick
                 Judgements
                 and
                 Calamities
                 God
                 oftentimes
                 suffers
                 the
                 Godly
                 to
                 be
                 involved
                 with
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 their
                 
                   own
                   persons
                
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 
                   parts
                   of
                   that
                   body
                
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 destroy
                 .
                 This
                 Job
                 expresseth
                 somewhat
                 harshly
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 truth
                 in
                 his
                 Assertion
                 ,
                 chap.
                 9.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 
                   This
                   is
                   one
                   thing
                   ,
                   therefore
                   I
                   said
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   destroyeth
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   righteous
                   with
                   the
                   wicked
                   .
                   If
                   the
                   scourge
                   slay
                   suddenly
                   he
                   will
                   laugh
                   at
                   the
                   tryal
                   of
                   the
                   Innocent
                   .
                
                 God
                 in
                 publick
                 desolations
                 oftentimes
                 takes
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 together
                 ;
                 a
                 sudden
                 scourge
                 involves
                 them
                 all
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 God
                 doth
                 for
                 sundry
                 Reasons
                 :
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 may
                 manifest
                 
                   his
                   own
                   Holiness
                
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 such
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 Injustice
                 or
                 Oppression
                 ,
                 even
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 provocations
                 ,
                 take
                 away
                 the
                 houses
                 ,
                 possessions
                 ,
                 estates
                 ,
                 liberties
                 ,
                 and
                 lives
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Saints
                 .
                 For
                 how
                 should
                 
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                   any
                   man
                
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 be
                 just
                 with
                 God
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 contend
                 with
                 him
                 ?
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 
                   answer
                   to
                   him
                   one
                   of
                   a
                   thousand
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 9.
                 31.
                 
                 This
                 they
                 will
                 also
                 own
                 and
                 acknowledge
                 ;
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 none
                 can
                 open
                 his
                 mouth
                 about
                 his
                 Judgements
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 highest
                 impiety
                 and
                 wickedness
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 doth
                 so
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   his
                   own
                   people
                   may
                   learn
                   to
                   know
                   his
                   terrour
                   ,
                
                 and
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 alwaies
                 before
                 him
                 with
                 trembling
                 .
                 Therefore
                 Job
                 affirms
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   prosperity
                   he
                   was
                   not
                   secure
                   ,
                
                 but
                 still
                 trembled
                 in
                 himself
                 with
                 thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 Judgements
                 of
                 God.
                 Doubtless
                 much
                 wretched
                 
                   carnal
                   security
                
                 would
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 invade
                 and
                 possess
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 Believers
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 should
                 alwaies
                 and
                 constantly
                 
                   pass
                   them
                   by
                
                 in
                 the
                 dispensations
                 of
                 his
                 publick
                 Judgements
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 
                   a
                   stone
                   of
                   offence
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   stumbling
                   block
                   unto
                   wicked
                   men
                   ,
                
                 who
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 hardened
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 prepared
                 for
                 ruine
                 .
                 When
                 they
                 see
                 that
                 
                   all
                   things
                   fall
                   alike
                   unto
                   all
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 made
                 the
                 strictest
                 profession
                 of
                 the
                 name
                 and
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 fare
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 themselves
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 encouraged
                 to
                 
                   despise
                   the
                   warnings
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strokes
                 of
                 his
                 hand
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 rush
                 on
                 unto
                 the
                 destruction
                 whereunto
                 they
                 are
                 prepared
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 God
                 doth
                 it
                 to
                 proclaim
                 unto
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   what
                   he
                   doth
                   here
                   is
                   no
                   final
                   Judgement
                   ,
                
                 and
                 ultimate
                 determination
                 concerning
                 things
                 and
                 persons
                 .
                 For
                 who
                 can
                 see
                 the
                 
                   wise
                   man
                   dying
                   as
                   the
                   fool
                   ,
                
                 the
                 Righteous
                 and
                 Holy
                 perishing
                 in
                 their
                 outward
                 concernments
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 ungodly
                 and
                 wicked
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Righteous
                 God
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 hath
                 appointed
                 
                   another
                   day
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 all
                 things
                 must
                 be
                 called
                 over
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 then
                 receive
                 his
                 
                   final
                   Reward
                
                 ,
                 according
                 
                 as
                 his
                 works
                 shall
                 appear
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 are
                 we
                 to
                 humble
                 our selves
                 unto
                 the
                 Righteousness
                 wherewith
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 alwaies
                 accompanied
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 His
                 
                   Goodness
                   and
                   Grace
                
                 is
                 also
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 mighty
                 hands
                 .
                 As
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 unrighteousness
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 
                   good
                   and
                   gracious
                
                 .
                 And
                 whatever
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 any
                 trouble
                 of
                 allay
                 from
                 the
                 
                   utmost
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 is
                 of
                 meer
                 goodness
                 and
                 grace
                 .
                 Thy
                 houses
                 are
                 burned
                 ,
                 but
                 perhaps
                 thy
                 goods
                 are
                 saved
                 ;
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 grace
                 ,
                 no
                 goodness
                 therein
                 ?
                 or
                 perhaps
                 thy
                 substance
                 also
                 is
                 consumed
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 thy
                 person
                 is
                 alive
                 ;
                 and
                 should
                 a
                 living
                 man
                 complain
                 ?
                 but
                 say
                 what
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 this
                 stroke
                 is
                 not
                 Hell
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 deserved
                 long
                 ago
                 ;
                 yea
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 means
                 of
                 preventing
                 thy
                 going
                 thither
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 accompanied
                 with
                 infinite
                 goodness
                 ,
                 patience
                 and
                 mercy
                 also
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 considerations
                 hereof
                 will
                 not
                 quiet
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 a
                 worse
                 thing
                 befall
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 these
                 things
                 amongst
                 others
                 are
                 we
                 to
                 consider
                 in
                 God
                 to
                 lead
                 our
                 hearts
                 into
                 an
                 acquiescing
                 in
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 a
                 submission
                 under
                 his
                 mighty
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 patient
                 waiting
                 for
                 the
                 issue
                 .
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 Consider
                 our
                 
                   mean
                   and
                   abject
                   condition
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 infinite
                 distance
                 wherein
                 we
                 stand
                 from
                 
                   him
                   with
                   whom
                   we
                   have
                   to
                   do
                   .
                
                 When
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 and
                 friend
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 came
                 to
                 treat
                 with
                 him
                 about
                 his
                 Judgements
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 it
                 with
                 this
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 his
                 condition
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   meer
                   dust
                   and
                   ashes
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 18.
                 27.
                 
                 A
                 poor
                 
                   abject
                   Creature
                
                 that
                 God
                 at
                 his
                 pleasure
                 had
                 formed
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 dust
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 daies
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 reduced
                 again
                 into
                 the
                 ashes
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 We
                 can
                 forget
                 nothing
                 more
                 perniciously
                 than
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 .
                 
                   Man
                   is
                   a
                   worm
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 Bildad
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   man
                   is
                   but
                   a
                   worm
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 25.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 sayes
                 Job
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   to
                   corruption
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   my
                   father
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   worm
                   ,
                   thou
                   art
                   my
                   mother
                   and
                   my
                   sister
                   ,
                
                 chap.
                 17.
                 14.
                 
                 His
                 Affinity
                 ,
                 his
                 Relation
                 unto
                 them
                 is
                 the
                 nearest
                 imaginable
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 otherwise
                 to
                 be
                 accounted
                 of
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 God
                 abhors
                 more
                 than
                 an
                 
                   Elation
                   of
                   mind
                
                 in
                 the
                 forgetfulness
                 of
                 our
                 mean
                 frail
                 condition
                 .
                 Thou
                 sayest
                 ,
                 said
                 he
                 to
                 the
                 proud
                 
                   Prince
                   of
                   Tyrus
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   wilt
                   thou
                   say
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   God
                   in
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   him
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   slayes
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 Ezek.
                 28.
                 9.
                 
                 That
                 
                   severe
                   conviction
                
                 did
                 God
                 provide
                 for
                 his
                 pride
                 .
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 slayes
                 thee
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 Herod
                 prided
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 acclamations
                 of
                 the
                 vain
                 multitude
                 ,
                 (
                 
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   God
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   a
                   man.
                
                 )
                 The
                 Angel
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 filled
                 that
                 God
                 immediately
                 with
                 worms
                 which
                 slew
                 him
                 and
                 devoured
                 him
                 ,
                 Acts
                 12.
                 23.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 indeed
                 nothing
                 more
                 effectual
                 to
                 abase
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 due
                 remembrance
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 so
                 .
                 Hence
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 prayes
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 9.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   Put
                   them
                   in
                   fear
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Nations
                   may
                   know
                   themselves
                   to
                   be
                   but
                   men
                   ,
                
                 so
                 and
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 poor
                 ,
                 miserable
                 ,
                 frail
                 ,
                 mortal
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 word
                 signifies
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 man
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 his
                 life
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 his
                 strength
                 ?
                 said
                 one
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   dream
                   of
                   a
                   shadow
                
                 ;
                 a
                 meer
                 nothing
                 ;
                 or
                 as
                 David
                 much
                 better
                 ,
                 
                   Every
                   man
                   living
                   in
                   his
                   best
                   condition
                   is
                   altogether
                   vanity
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 39.
                 5.
                 and
                 
                   James
                   ,
                   our
                   life
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 our
                 best
                 ,
                 our
                 all
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   but
                   a
                   vapour
                   that
                   appeareth
                   for
                   a
                   little
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   vanisheth
                   away
                   ,
                
                 chap.
                 4.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 enough
                 hath
                 been
                 spoken
                 by
                 many
                 on
                 this
                 subject
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 that
                 have
                 seen
                 so
                 many
                 thousands
                 each
                 week
                 in
                 one
                 City
                 carryed
                 away
                 to
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 taught
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 our
                 frailty
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 with
                 
                   Thorns
                   and
                   Briers
                
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 it
                 comes
                 to
                 pass
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 thing
                 we
                 are
                 more
                 apt
                 to
                 forget
                 ,
                 than
                 what
                 we
                 our selves
                 are
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 puts
                 men
                 on
                 innumerable
                 miscarriages
                 towards
                 God
                 and
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 Thou
                 therefore
                 that
                 art
                 exercised
                 under
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 any
                 severe
                 dispensation
                 ,
                 and
                 art
                 ready
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 to
                 fill
                 thy
                 mouth
                 with
                 complaints
                 ,
                 sit
                 down
                 a
                 little
                 and
                 take
                 a
                 right
                 measure
                 of
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 whether
                 this
                 frame
                 and
                 posture
                 becomes
                 thee
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 
                   great
                   God
                
                 against
                 whom
                 thou
                 repinest
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 
                   art
                   a
                   man
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 name
                 
                   of
                   a
                   worm
                
                 ,
                 a
                 poor
                 ,
                 frail
                 ,
                 dying
                 worm
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 whilst
                 thou
                 art
                 speaking
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 think
                 it
                 meet
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 as
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 to
                 magnifie
                 thy self
                 against
                 the
                 great
                 possessor
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ?
                 Poor
                 clay
                 ,
                 poor
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 ,
                 poor
                 dying
                 worm
                 ,
                 know
                 thy
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 fall
                 down
                 quietly
                 under
                 the
                 mighty
                 hand
                 of
                 God.
                 Though
                 thou
                 wranglest
                 with
                 men
                 about
                 thy
                 concernments
                 ,
                 let
                 God
                 alone
                 .
                 The
                 
                   po●sheards
                   may
                   contend
                   with
                   the
                   potsheards
                
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 but
                 wo
                 unto
                 him
                 that
                 striveth
                 with
                 his
                 Maker
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Consider
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 frail
                 condition
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 all
                 
                   greatly
                   sinned
                   against
                   God.
                
                 So
                 did
                 Job
                 .
                 chap.
                 7.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   ,
                   what
                   shall
                   I
                   do
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   thou
                   preserver
                   of
                   men
                   ?
                
                 If
                 this
                 consideration
                 will
                 not
                 
                   satisfie
                   thy
                   mind
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 will
                 assuredly
                 
                   stop
                   the
                   mouths
                
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 Though
                 all
                 the
                 Curses
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 should
                 be
                 executed
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 every
                 
                   mouth
                   must
                   be
                   stopped
                
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 is
                 become
                 guilty
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 
                   And
                   why
                   should
                   a
                   living
                   man
                   complain
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 Lament
                 .
                 3.
                 39.
                 
                 Why
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 that
                 his
                 trouble
                 is
                 great
                 and
                 inexpressible
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 seldom
                 or
                 never
                 befell
                 any
                 before
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 then
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   a
                   man
                   complain
                   against
                   the
                   punishment
                   of
                   his
                   sins
                
                 ?
                 If
                 this
                 
                   living
                   man
                
                 be
                 a
                 
                   sinful
                   man
                
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 that
                 liveth
                 and
                 sinneth
                 not
                 ,
                 whatever
                 his
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 be
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 ground
                 of
                 murmuring
                 or
                 complaint
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 
                   sinful
                   man
                
                 to
                 complain
                 ,
                 especially
                 whilest
                 he
                 is
                 yet
                 a
                 
                   living
                   man
                
                 ,
                 is
                 most
                 unreasonable
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Whatever
                 hath
                 befallen
                 us
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 just
                 on
                 the
                 account
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 sinners
                 before
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 repine
                 against
                 the
                 
                   judgements
                   of
                   God
                
                 that
                 are
                 rendred
                 evidently
                 righteous
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 anticipate
                 the
                 Condition
                 of
                 the
                 
                   damned
                   in
                   hell
                
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 whose
                 misery
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 alwayes
                 repine
                 against
                 that
                 sentence
                 and
                 punishment
                 which
                 they
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 righteous
                 and
                 holy
                 .
                 If
                 this
                 were
                 now
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 if
                 that
                 were
                 now
                 my
                 design
                 to
                 treat
                 of
                 the
                 
                   sins
                   of
                   all
                   professors
                
                 ,
                 how
                 easie
                 were
                 it
                 to
                 stop
                 the
                 mouths
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 about
                 their
                 troubles
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 my
                 present
                 business
                 ,
                 I
                 speak
                 unto
                 particular
                 persons
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 with
                 an
                 especial
                 design
                 to
                 
                   convince
                   them
                   of
                   their
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 humble
                 their
                 souls
                 .
                 Another
                 season
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 to
                 press
                 that
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 directly
                 and
                 prosessedly
                 also
                 .
                 At
                 present
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 only
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 souls
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 entangled
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 any
                 
                   severe
                   dispensation
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 own
                 particular
                 pressures
                 ,
                 troubles
                 ,
                 miseries
                 occasioned
                 thereby
                 ,
                 turn
                 into
                 our selves
                 and
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 
                   personal
                   provocations
                
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 so
                 ,
                 see
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 say
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 Complain
                 of
                 :
                 let
                 
                   the
                   man
                
                 hold
                 his
                 tongue
                 and
                 let
                 the
                 sinner
                 speak
                 .
                 Is
                 not
                 God
                 holy
                 ,
                 righteous
                 ,
                 wise
                 in
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 ,
                 why
                 do
                 we
                 not
                 subscribe
                 unto
                 his
                 wayes
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 quietly
                 unto
                 his
                 Will
                 ?
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 all
                 ,
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 
                   such
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 render
                 these
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God
                 
                   evidently
                   holy
                
                 ,
                 these
                 Judgements
                 of
                 his
                 righteous
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 manifest
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 accompanied
                 with
                 
                   unspeakable
                   patience
                
                 ,
                 mercy
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
                 To
                 instance
                 in
                 one
                 particular
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 the
                 burning
                 of
                 our
                 houses
                 ,
                 the
                 spoiling
                 of
                 our
                 Goods
                 ,
                 the
                 ruine
                 of
                 our
                 estates
                 alone
                 that
                 our
                 sins
                 have
                 deserved
                 ?
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 the
                 temporary
                 fire
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 unto
                 us
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 entrance
                 into
                 the
                 Eternal
                 fire
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 we
                 had
                 not
                 had
                 whereof
                 righteously
                 to
                 complain
                 .
                 May
                 we
                 not
                 then
                 see
                 a
                 mixture
                 of
                 
                   unspeakable
                   patience
                
                 ,
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 in
                 every
                 dispensation
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 we
                 then
                 repine
                 against
                 it
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 better
                 advice
                 ,
                 
                   go
                   and
                   sin
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   lest
                   a
                   worse
                   thing
                   befall
                   thee
                
                 ;
                 for
                 a
                 
                   sinner
                   out
                   of
                   hell
                
                 not
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 humble
                 himself
                 under
                 his
                 mighty
                 hand
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 himself
                 guilty
                 of
                 the
                 especial
                 sin
                 of
                 hell
                 .
                 Other
                 sins
                 deserve
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 repining
                 against
                 God
                 is
                 principally
                 ,
                 yea
                 only
                 committed
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 comes
                 to
                 a
                 blessed
                 quieting
                 resolution
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 Micah
                 .
                 7.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   bear
                   the
                   indignation
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   against
                   him
                
                 ;
                 bear
                 it
                 quietly
                 ,
                 patiently
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 under
                 his
                 hand
                 therein
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Consider
                 that
                 of
                 our selves
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 
                   make
                   a
                   right
                   judgement
                   of
                   what
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   us
                
                 ;
                 what
                 evil
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 tends
                 most
                 directly
                 unto
                 our
                 chiefest
                 end
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 39.
                 6.
                 
                   surely
                   man
                   walketh
                   in
                   ajvain
                   shew
                
                 ;
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 in
                 an
                 Image
                 full
                 of
                 false
                 representations
                 of
                 things
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 
                   vain
                   appearances
                
                 that
                 he
                 knows
                 not
                 what
                 to
                 choose
                 ,
                 or
                 do
                 aright
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 spends
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 and
                 strength
                 about
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 of
                 no
                 use
                 or
                 purpose
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   Surely
                   they
                   are
                   disquieted
                   in
                   vain
                   .
                
                 And
                 hereof
                 he
                 gives
                 one
                 especial
                 Instance
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   heapeth
                   up
                   riches
                   ,
                   and
                   knoweth
                   not
                   who
                   shall
                   gather
                
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 
                   one
                   Example
                
                 of
                 the
                 manifold
                 frustrations
                 that
                 men
                 meet
                 withall
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 knowing
                 what
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 We
                 all
                 profess
                 to
                 aym
                 at
                 one
                 chief
                 and
                 principal
                 end
                 ,
                 namely
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 eternal
                 reward
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 order
                 thereunto
                 to
                 be
                 carryed
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 faith
                 and
                 obedience
                 ,
                 tending
                 to
                 that
                 end
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 the
                 suitableness
                 ,
                 or
                 unsuitableness
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 things
                 being
                 good
                 or
                 evil
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 measured
                 by
                 their
                 
                 tendency
                 unto
                 this
                 end
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 know
                 we
                 hereof
                 ?
                 As
                 unto
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 do
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 rich
                 or
                 poor
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 houses
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 harbourless
                 ,
                 to
                 abound
                 or
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 to
                 leave
                 wealth
                 and
                 inheritances
                 unto
                 our
                 Children
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 leave
                 them
                 naked
                 unto
                 the
                 providence
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 do
                 we
                 know
                 what
                 state
                 ,
                 what
                 condition
                 will
                 most
                 further
                 our
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 best
                 obviate
                 our
                 temptations
                 ,
                 or
                 call
                 most
                 on
                 us
                 to
                 mortifie
                 our
                 Corruptions
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 know
                 nothing
                 at
                 all
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 indeed
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 leave
                 them
                 quietly
                 unto
                 Gods
                 disposal
                 ?
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 appear
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 evil
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 men
                 was
                 stifled
                 by
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 their
                 outward
                 concernments
                 ,
                 more
                 by
                 their
                 inward
                 troubles
                 .
                 That
                 many
                 were
                 delivered
                 from
                 tèmptations
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 who
                 otherwise
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 overtaken
                 to
                 their
                 ruine
                 and
                 scandal
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 that
                 many
                 a
                 secret
                 Imposthume
                 hath
                 been
                 lanced
                 and
                 cured
                 by
                 a
                 stroke
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 send
                 Judgements
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 for
                 Judgements
                 sake
                 ,
                 for
                 punishment
                 sake
                 ;
                 but
                 alwayes
                 to
                 accomplish
                 some
                 blessed
                 design
                 of
                 Grace
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 one
                 soul
                 in
                 particular
                 which
                 shall
                 rightly
                 search
                 it self
                 and
                 Consider
                 its
                 state
                 and
                 Condition
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 see
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 grace
                 and
                 care
                 towards
                 it self
                 in
                 all
                 dispensations
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 if
                 I
                 would
                 here
                 enter
                 upon
                 the
                 benefits
                 that
                 through
                 the
                 sanctifying
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 do
                 redound
                 unto
                 believers
                 by
                 Afflictions
                 ,
                 Calamities
                 ,
                 troubles
                 ,
                 distresses
                 ,
                 temptations
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 Effects
                 of
                 Gods
                 visitations
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 of
                 use
                 unto
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 men
                 in
                 this
                 Case
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 subject
                 hath
                 been
                 so
                 often
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 well
                 spoken
                 unto
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 insist
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 I
                 desire
                 only
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 seriously
                 consider
                 how
                 utterly
                 Ignorant
                 we
                 are
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 
                   good
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 or
                 usefull
                 unto
                 us
                 in
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 leave
                 them
                 quietly
                 unto
                 Gods
                 disposal
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 We
                 may
                 Consider
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 about
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 troubled
                 ,
                 fall
                 directly
                 within
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 that
                 
                   good
                   word
                   of
                   Gods
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 
                   make
                   all
                   things
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   love
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 All
                 things
                 that
                 we
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 deprived
                 of
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 suffer
                 ;
                 our
                 losses
                 ,
                 troubles
                 ,
                 miseries
                 ,
                 distresses
                 in
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 instanceth
                 in
                 the
                 following
                 verses
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 all
                 work
                 
                 
                   together
                   for
                   good
                
                 ;
                 together
                 with
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 subordination
                 unto
                 the
                 power
                 ,
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 wisdom
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 see
                 not
                 how
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 what
                 means
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 Effected
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 infinitely
                 wise
                 and
                 powerful
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 undertaken
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 know
                 little
                 or
                 nothing
                 of
                 his
                 ways
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 or
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 or
                 desire
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 hath
                 turned
                 unto
                 some
                 unto
                 their
                 hurt
                 .
                 Riches
                 have
                 been
                 kept
                 for
                 men
                 unto
                 their
                 hurt
                 .
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 high
                 places
                 have
                 been
                 the
                 ruine
                 of
                 many
                 .
                 Liberty
                 and
                 plenty
                 are
                 to
                 most
                 a
                 snare
                 .
                 Prosperity
                 slayes
                 the
                 foolish
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 of
                 our selves
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 measure
                 able
                 to
                 secure
                 our selves
                 from
                 the
                 hurt
                 and
                 poison
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 our
                 ruine
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 already
                 been
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 day
                 are
                 unto
                 multitudes
                 of
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 fill
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 any
                 man
                 with
                 horrour
                 and
                 amazement
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 wayes
                 and
                 ends
                 of
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 entrusted
                 with
                 
                   this
                   worlds
                   goods
                
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 evident
                 that
                 all
                 their
                 lives
                 they
                 seem
                 industriously
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 perish
                 eternally
                 ?
                 Luxury
                 ,
                 riot
                 ,
                 oppression
                 ,
                 Intemperance
                 (
                 and
                 of
                 late
                 especially
                 )
                 blasphemy
                 and
                 Atheism
                 ,
                 they
                 usually
                 give
                 up
                 themselves
                 unto
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 their
                 abundance
                 and
                 security
                 .
                 What
                 now
                 if
                 God
                 should
                 deprive
                 us
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ?
                 Can
                 any
                 one
                 certainly
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 worsted
                 thereby
                 ?
                 might
                 they
                 not
                 have
                 turned
                 unto
                 his
                 everlasting
                 perdition
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 of
                 thousands
                 as
                 good
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 have
                 had
                 advantages
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 wise
                 as
                 we
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 we
                 complain
                 of
                 Gods
                 dispensations
                 about
                 them
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 himself
                 hath
                 undertaken
                 to
                 make
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 he
                 guides
                 unto
                 us
                 to
                 work
                 together
                 for
                 our
                 good
                 ?
                 Anxieties
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 perplexities
                 of
                 heart
                 about
                 our
                 losses
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 unto
                 in
                 our
                 troubles
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 ;
                 let
                 us
                 Consider
                 whether
                 we
                 
                   Love
                   God
                
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 whether
                 
                   we
                   are
                   called
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   purpose
                   ,
                
                 if
                 so
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 well
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 who
                 can
                 order
                 them
                 for
                 our
                 good
                 and
                 advantage
                 .
                 I
                 hope
                 many
                 a
                 poor
                 foul
                 will
                 from
                 hence
                 under
                 all
                 their
                 trouble
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 say
                 with
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 banished
                 from
                 his
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 and
                 found
                 better
                 entertainment
                 elsewhere
                 ;
                 
                   My
                   Friends
                   ,
                   I
                   had
                   perished
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   had
                   not
                   perished
                
                 ;
                 had
                 I
                 not
                 been
                 undone
                 by
                 Fire
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 I
                 had
                 
                 been
                 ruined
                 in
                 Eternal
                 Fire
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 all
                 to
                 work
                 for
                 my
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 discourses
                 is
                 to
                 evince
                 the
                 reasonableness
                 of
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 waiting
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 pressing
                 from
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 .
                 Ignorance
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 our selves
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 principle
                 and
                 cause
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 disquietments
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 ariseth
                 mostly
                 ,
                 not
                 from
                 want
                 of
                 light
                 and
                 instruction
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 Consideration
                 and
                 Application
                 .
                 The
                 notions
                 insisted
                 on
                 concerning
                 God
                 are
                 obvious
                 and
                 known
                 unto
                 all
                 ;
                 so
                 are
                 these
                 concerning
                 our selves
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 whom
                 almost
                 are
                 they
                 employed
                 and
                 improved
                 as
                 they
                 ought
                 ?
                 the
                 frame
                 of
                 our
                 spirits
                 is
                 as
                 though
                 we
                 stood
                 upon
                 equal
                 terms
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 think
                 with
                 Jonah
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 do
                 well
                 to
                 be
                 angry
                 with
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ;
                 did
                 we
                 rightly
                 consider
                 him
                 ,
                 did
                 we
                 stand
                 in
                 awe
                 of
                 him
                 as
                 we
                 ought
                 ,
                 It
                 had
                 certainly
                 been
                 otherwise
                 with
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Influence
                   of
                   the
                   Promises
                   into
                   the
                   souls
                   waiting
                   in
                   time
                   of
                   trouble
                   .
                   The
                   nature
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 Having
                 therefore
                 laid
                 down
                 these
                 Considerations
                 from
                 the
                 second
                 Observation
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 Words
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   Jehovah
                   himself
                   is
                   the
                   proper
                   object
                   of
                   the
                   souls
                   waiting
                
                 in
                 the
                 condition
                 described
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 only
                 add
                 one
                 direction
                 ,
                 how
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 enabled
                 to
                 perform
                 and
                 discharge
                 this
                 duty
                 aright
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 manifested
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 necessary
                 ,
                 so
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 so
                 prevalent
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 of
                 relief
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 ariseth
                 from
                 another
                 of
                 the
                 Propositions
                 laid
                 down
                 for
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 these
                 verses
                 not
                 as
                 yet
                 spoken
                 unto
                 .
                 Namely
                 that
              
               
                 
                 
                   The
                   Word
                   of
                   promise
                   is
                   the
                   souls
                   great
                   supportment
                   in
                   waiting
                   for
                   God.
                
                 So
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ;
                 
                   In
                   his
                   word
                   do
                   I
                   hope
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   promise
                
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Word
                 in
                 general
                 is
                 the
                 adequate
                 rule
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Obedience
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Communion
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 so
                 there
                 are
                 especial
                 parts
                 of
                 it
                 that
                 are
                 suited
                 unto
                 these
                 especial
                 actings
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 towards
                 him
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Promise
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Promise
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 our
                 faith
                 especially
                 regards
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 
                   hope
                   ,
                   trust
                
                 and
                 waiting
                 on
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 suited
                 to
                 answer
                 unto
                 the
                 immediate
                 actings
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 therein
                 .
                 From
                 this
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Promise
                
                 therefore
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 from
                 these
                 
                 promises
                 doth
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 its
                 distresses
                 take
                 incouragement
                 to
                 continue
                 
                   waiting
                   on
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 on
                 these
                 two
                 accounts
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Because
                 they
                 are
                 declarative
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 Mind
                 and
                 his
                 Will
                 :
                 And
                 secondly
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 communicative
                 of
                 grace
                 and
                 strength
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 of
                 which
                 latter
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 here
                 treat
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 End
                 and
                 Use
                 of
                 the
                 Promise
                 is
                 to
                 declare
                 ,
                 reveal
                 and
                 make
                 known
                 God
                 unto
                 Believers
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 an
                 especial
                 manner
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 concerning
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 give
                 them
                 encouragement
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 promises
                 are
                 a
                 
                   declaration
                   of
                   the
                   Nature
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 especially
                 of
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Grace
                 and
                 Love.
                 God
                 hath
                 put
                 an
                 impression
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 glorious
                 Excellencies
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 on
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 especially
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 There
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 
                   Glass
                   do
                   we
                   behold
                   his
                   Glory
                
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 As
                 his
                 Commands
                 express
                 unto
                 us
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 his
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 his
                 Righteousness
                 and
                 Severity
                 ;
                 so
                 do
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Love
                 and
                 Bounty
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 do
                 we
                 learn
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 truly
                 and
                 solidly
                 know
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 him
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 therefore
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 is
                 
                   waiting
                   on
                
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 considers
                 the
                 Representation
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 nature
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 promises
                 ,
                 and
                 receives
                 supportment
                 and
                 encouragement
                 in
                 its
                 duty
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 God
                 teach
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 promises
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 firm
                 ground
                 to
                 expect
                 from
                 him
                 all
                 fruits
                 of
                 Benignity
                 ,
                 Kindness
                 and
                 Love.
                 Let
                 the
                 soul
                 frame
                 in
                 it self
                 that
                 Idea
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 exhibited
                 in
                 the
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 powerfully
                 prevail
                 with
                 it
                 to
                 continue
                 in
                 an
                 Expectation
                 of
                 his
                 gracious
                 returns
                 ;
                 they
                 all
                 expressing
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Love
                 ,
                 Patience
                 ,
                 Forbearance
                 ,
                 Long-suffering
                 ,
                 Pardoning
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Grace
                 ,
                 Bounty
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 full
                 satisfactory
                 reward
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 
                   beauty
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 mentioned
                 with
                 admiration
                 by
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 
                   How
                   great
                   is
                   his
                   goodness
                   !
                   how
                   great
                   is
                   his
                   beauty
                   !
                
                 Zeph.
                 9.
                 17.
                 
                 Which
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 attractive
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 adhere
                 constantly
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Whatever
                 difficulties
                 arise
                 ,
                 whatever
                 temptations
                 interpose
                 ,
                 or
                 wearisomeness
                 grows
                 upon
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 streights
                 ,
                 troubles
                 ,
                 trials
                 and
                 desertions
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 not
                 entertain
                 such
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 our
                 
                 own
                 perplexed
                 imaginations
                 may
                 be
                 apt
                 to
                 suggest
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 This
                 would
                 quickly
                 cast
                 us
                 into
                 a
                 thousand
                 impatiencies
                 ,
                 misgivings
                 and
                 miscarriages
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 meditation
                 on
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 as
                 revealed
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 expressed
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 suited
                 quite
                 unto
                 other
                 ends
                 and
                 purposes
                 .
                 There
                 appears
                 ,
                 yea
                 gloriously
                 shines
                 forth
                 ,
                 that
                 Love
                 ,
                 that
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 that
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 Tenderness
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 as
                 cannot
                 but
                 encourage
                 a
                 believing
                 soul
                 to
                 
                   abide
                   in
                   waiting
                
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Word
                 of
                 Promise
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 
                   express
                   Gods
                   nature
                
                 as
                 that
                 wherein
                 he
                 proposeth
                 himself
                 unto
                 the
                 contemplation
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 also
                 
                   declares
                   his
                   Will
                
                 and
                 Purpose
                 of
                 acting
                 towards
                 the
                 soul
                 suitable
                 unto
                 his
                 own
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
                 For
                 Promises
                 are
                 the
                 declarations
                 of
                 Gods
                 purpose
                 and
                 will
                 to
                 act
                 towards
                 Believers
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 infinite
                 Goodness
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 in
                 great
                 variety
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 various
                 conditions
                 and
                 wants
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 do
                 believe
                 .
                 They
                 all
                 proceed
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 spring
                 of
                 Infinite
                 Grace
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 branched
                 into
                 innumerable
                 particular
                 streams
                 according
                 as
                 our
                 necessities
                 do
                 require
                 .
                 To
                 these
                 do
                 waiting
                 souls
                 repair
                 for
                 stay
                 and
                 encouragement
                 .
                 Their
                 perplexities
                 principally
                 arise
                 from
                 their
                 misapprehensions
                 of
                 what
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 whither
                 should
                 they
                 repair
                 to
                 be
                 undeceived
                 ,
                 but
                 unto
                 that
                 faithfull
                 Representation
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 of
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 Will
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 
                   For
                   no
                   man
                   hath
                   seen
                   God
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   ,
                   the
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                   who
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   bosome
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   revealed
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 1.
                 17.
                 
                 Now
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Promise
                   explained
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   Springs
                   ,
                   Causes
                   and
                   Effects
                   of
                   it
                
                 ;
                 thither
                 must
                 we
                 repair
                 to
                 be
                 instructed
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 .
                 The
                 imaginations
                 and
                 reasonings
                 of
                 mens
                 hearts
                 will
                 but
                 deceive
                 them
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 The
                 informations
                 or
                 instructions
                 of
                 other
                 men
                 may
                 do
                 so
                 ;
                 nor
                 have
                 they
                 any
                 truth
                 in
                 them
                 further
                 than
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 resolved
                 into
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Promise
                
                 .
                 Here
                 alone
                 they
                 may
                 find
                 rest
                 and
                 refreshment
                 .
                 The
                 soul
                 of
                 whom
                 we
                 speak
                 ,
                 is
                 under
                 troubles
                 ,
                 perplexities
                 and
                 distresses
                 as
                 to
                 its
                 outward
                 condition
                 ;
                 pressed
                 with
                 many
                 streights
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 on
                 every
                 hand
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 to
                 its
                 spiritual
                 estate
                 under
                 various
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 before
                 at
                 large
                 been
                 explained
                 ;
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 
                 it
                 is
                 brought
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 unto
                 an
                 holy
                 submission
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   patient
                   waiting
                
                 for
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 its
                 trials
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 estate
                 it
                 hath
                 many
                 temptations
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 working
                 of
                 unbelief
                 .
                 The
                 whole
                 of
                 its
                 opposition
                 amounts
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   neglected
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 that
                 its
                 way
                 is
                 hid
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 judgement
                 is
                 passed
                 over
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 at
                 
                   present
                   delivered
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 hereafter
                 saved
                 .
                 What
                 course
                 can
                 any
                 one
                 advise
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 unto
                 for
                 his
                 relief
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 preserve
                 his
                 soul
                 from
                 fainting
                 or
                 deserting
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 waiting
                 on
                 God
                 wherein
                 he
                 is
                 engaged
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 this
                 ,
                 to
                 search
                 and
                 enquire
                 what
                 Revelation
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 of
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 Will
                 concerning
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 promise
                 declares
                 .
                 Here
                 he
                 shall
                 find
                 hope
                 ,
                 patience
                 ,
                 faith
                 ,
                 expectation
                 to
                 be
                 all
                 encreased
                 ,
                 comforted
                 ,
                 encouraged
                 .
                 Herein
                 lyes
                 the
                 duty
                 and
                 safety
                 of
                 any
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 .
                 Men
                 may
                 bear
                 the
                 
                   first
                   impression
                
                 of
                 any
                 trouble
                 with
                 the
                 strength
                 ,
                 courage
                 and
                 resolution
                 of
                 their
                 natural
                 spirits
                 ;
                 under
                 some
                 continuance
                 of
                 them
                 they
                 may
                 support
                 themselves
                 with
                 former
                 experiences
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 usual
                 springs
                 and
                 means
                 of
                 consolation
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 their
                 wounds
                 prove
                 difficult
                 to
                 be
                 cured
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 despise
                 ordinary
                 remedies
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 diseases
                 are
                 of
                 long
                 continuance
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 take
                 themselves
                 unto
                 .
                 They
                 must
                 search
                 into
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 promise
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 to
                 measure
                 things
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 present
                 state
                 and
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 their
                 mind
                 ,
                 but
                 according
                 unto
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 declared
                 concerning
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 are
                 sundry
                 Excellencies
                 in
                 the
                 promises
                 when
                 hoped
                 in
                 ,
                 or
                 trusted
                 in
                 ,
                 that
                 tend
                 unto
                 the
                 establishment
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 great
                 duty
                 of
                 waiting
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 Grace
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Good
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 help
                 ,
                 relief
                 ,
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 pardon
                 and
                 salvation
                 ,
                 is
                 suited
                 unto
                 all
                 particular
                 conditions
                 and
                 wants
                 of
                 the
                 soul.
                 As
                 Light
                 ariseth
                 from
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 diffused
                 in
                 the
                 beams
                 thereof
                 to
                 the
                 especial
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 creatures
                 ,
                 enabled
                 by
                 a
                 
                   visive
                   faculty
                
                 to
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 so
                 cometh
                 Grace
                 forth
                 from
                 the
                 Eternal
                 Good
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 diffused
                 by
                 the
                 promises
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 blessed
                 contemporation
                 unto
                 the
                 conditions
                 and
                 wants
                 of
                 all
                 Believers
                 .
                 There
                 can
                 nothing
                 fall
                 out
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 any
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 grace
                 suited
                 unto
                 it
                 in
                 
                   one
                   promise
                
                 or
                 another
                 ,
                 as
                 clearly
                 and
                 
                 evidently
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 given
                 unto
                 him
                 particularly
                 and
                 immediately
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 they
                 find
                 by
                 experience
                 who
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 are
                 enabled
                 to
                 mix
                 effectually
                 a
                 promise
                 with
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Word
                 of
                 promise
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   wonderfull
                   mysterious
                   especial
                   impression
                   of
                   God
                
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 doth
                 by
                 it
                 secretly
                 and
                 ineffably
                 communicate
                 himself
                 unto
                 Believers
                 .
                 When
                 God
                 appeared
                 in
                 a
                 dream
                 unto
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 he
                 awaked
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   in
                   this
                   place
                   and
                   I
                   knew
                   it
                   not
                   .
                
                 He
                 knew
                 God
                 was
                 
                   every
                   where
                
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 intimation
                 of
                 his
                 especial
                 presence
                 surprized
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 is
                 a
                 soul
                 surprized
                 when
                 God
                 opens
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 Grace
                 in
                 a
                 promise
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 cryes
                 out
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 here
                 and
                 I
                 knew
                 it
                 not
                 .
                 Such
                 a
                 near
                 approach
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Grace
                 it
                 finds
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 accompanied
                 with
                 a
                 refreshing
                 surprizal
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 an
                 especial
                 Engagement
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Veracity
                   and
                   Truth
                
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 every
                 promise
                 .
                 Grace
                 and
                 Truth
                 are
                 the
                 two
                 ingredients
                 of
                 an
                 Evangelical
                 promise
                 ;
                 the
                 matter
                 and
                 form
                 whereof
                 they
                 do
                 consist
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 now
                 stay
                 to
                 shew
                 where
                 in
                 this
                 especial
                 engagement
                 of
                 Truth
                 in
                 the
                 promise
                 doth
                 consist
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 known
                 and
                 confessed
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 hath
                 an
                 
                   especial
                   influence
                
                 to
                 support
                 the
                 soul
                 when
                 hoped
                 in
                 ,
                 in
                 its
                 duty
                 of
                 waiting
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 hope
                 can
                 never
                 make
                 ashamed
                 or
                 leave
                 the
                 soul
                 unto
                 disappointments
                 ,
                 which
                 stayes
                 its
                 self
                 on
                 Divine
                 Veracity
                 under
                 a
                 special
                 engagement
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 duty
                 which
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 engageth
                 himself
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 unto
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 to
                 obtain
                 a
                 comfortable
                 interest
                 in
                 that
                 forgiveness
                 which
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 gracious
                 effects
                 thereof
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 handling
                 hereof
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 declared
                 its
                 nature
                 and
                 necessity
                 ;
                 so
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Psalmists
                 directions
                 for
                 its
                 practice
                 unto
                 persons
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 condition
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 attaining
                 of
                 the
                 end
                 by
                 him
                 aimed
                 at
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 it
                 needs
                 no
                 further
                 Application
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 remains
                 of
                 the
                 Psalm
                 is
                 the
                 Address
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 encouragement
                 which
                 he
                 gives
                 them
                 to
                 steer
                 the
                 same
                 course
                 with
                 himself
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 the
                 two
                 last
                 verses
                 ,
                 which
                 to
                 compleat
                 the
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 explain
                 and
                 pass
                 through
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 already
                 dispatched
                 what
                 I
                 principally
                 aimed
                 at
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 
                 
                   Verse
                   7.
                   
                   
                     Let
                     Israel
                     hope
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     for
                     with
                     the
                     Lord
                     there
                     is
                     mercy
                     ,
                     and
                     with
                     him
                     is
                     plenteous
                     Redemption
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   8.
                   
                   
                     And
                     he
                     shall
                     redeem
                     Israel
                     from
                     all
                     his
                     iniquities
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
               I
               shall
               proceed
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               these
               words
               ,
               according
               unto
               the
               method
               already
               insisted
               on
               .
               First
               ,
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               principal
               words
               shall
               be
               declared
               ;
               then
               the
               sense
               and
               importance
               of
               the
               whole
               .
               Thirdly
               ,
               the
               Relation
               that
               they
               have
               unto
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               expressed
               in
               the
               Psalm
               must
               be
               manifested
               ;
               from
               all
               which
               Observations
               will
               arise
               for
               our
               Instruction
               and
               Directions
               in
               the
               like
               cases
               ,
               wherein
               we
               are
               or
               may
               be
               concerned
               .
            
             
               
                 Let
                 Israel
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 Hope
                 Israel
                 in
                 Jehovah
              
               .
               Trust
               ,
               or
               expect
               ;
               the
               same
               word
               with
               that
               ,
               vers
               .
               5.
               
               In
               his
               word
               do
               
                 I
                 hope
              
               ;
               properly
               ,
               to
               expect
               ,
               to
               
                 look
                 for
              
               ,
               which
               includes
               hope
               ,
               and
               adds
               some
               further
               degree
               of
               the
               souls
               acting
               towards
               God
               ;
               it
               is
               an
               
                 earnest
                 looking
              
               after
               the
               thing
               hoped
               for
               ;
               
                 expecta
                 ad
                 Dominum
              
               ;
               hope
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               look
               up
               to
               him
               ;
               
                 For
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 quia
              
               or
               
                 quoniam
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 seeing
              
               that
               with
               the
               Lord
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               mercy
               ;
               the
               
                 verb
                 substantive
              
               ,
               as
               usual
               ,
               is
               omitted
               ,
               which
               we
               supply
               ,
               
                 there
                 is
                 Mercy
              
               ,
               Grace
               ,
               Bounty
               ,
               Goodness
               ,
               Good-will
               .
               This
               word
               is
               often
               joyned
               with
               another
               ,
               discovering
               its
               importance
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Truth
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               Goodness
               ,
               or
               Mercy
               
                 and
                 Truth
              
               .
               These
               are
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               constituent
               parts
               of
               Gods
               Promises
               .
               It
               is
               of
               Goodness
               ,
               Grace
               ,
               Bounty
               ,
               to
               promise
               any
               undue
               mercy
               .
               And
               it
               is
               of
               Truth
               or
               Faithfulness
               to
               make
               good
               what
               is
               so
               promised
               .
               The
               LXX
               .
               commonly
               render
               this
               word
               by
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               
                 pardoning
                 mercy
              
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               every
               where
               used
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               .
            
             
               
                 And
                 with
                 him
                 is
                 plenteous
                 Redemption
              
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 with
                 him
              
               ;
               as
               before
               speaking
               unto
               God
               ,
               v.
               4.
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 with
                 thee
              
               there
               is
               ;
               the
               meaning
               of
               which
               expression
               hath
               been
               opened
               at
               large
               .
               Redemption
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               to
               redeem
               ;
               the
               same
               with
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               Redemption
               :
               This
               word
               is
               often
               used
               
               for
               a
               proper
               Redemption
               ,
               such
               as
               is
               made
               by
               the
               
                 intervention
                 of
                 a
                 price
              
               ,
               and
               not
               a
               meer
               Assertion
               unto
               liberty
               by
               power
               ,
               which
               is
               sometimes
               also
               called
               Redemption
               .
               Thus
               it
               is
               said
               of
               the
               money
               that
               the
               first
               born
               of
               the
               children
               of
               Israel
               ,
               which
               were
               above
               the
               number
               of
               the
               Levites
               were
               redeemed
               with
               ;
               that
               Moses
               took
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               the
               Redemption
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               
                 Redemption
                 money
              
               ,
               the
               price
               of
               their
               Redemption
               ,
               Numb
               .
               3.
               49.
               
               And
               Psal.
               49.
               8.
               
               The
               Redemption
               of
               mens
               souls
               
                 is
                 precious
              
               ;
               it
               cost
               a
               great
               price
               .
               The
               Redemption
               then
               that
               is
               with
               God
               ,
               relates
               unto
               a
               Price
               ;
               Goodness
               or
               mercy
               with
               respect
               unto
               a
               price
               ,
               becomes
               Redemption
               ,
               that
               is
               actively
               ,
               the
               cause
               or
               means
               of
               it
               .
               What
               that
               price
               is
               ,
               see
               Matth.
               20.
               20.
               1
               
               Pet.
               1.
               18.
               
            
             
               
                 Plenteous
                 Redemption
              
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 multa
                 ,
                 copi
                 sa
              
               ,
               much
               ,
               abundant
               ,
               plenteous
               .
               It
               is
               used
               both
               for
               Quantity
               and
               Quality
               ;
               much
               in
               quantity
               ,
               or
               plenteous
               ,
               abundant
               ,
               and
               in
               Quality
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               precious
               ,
               excellent
               .
               And
               it
               is
               applied
               in
               a
               good
               and
               bad
               sense
               ;
               so
               it
               is
               said
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               Ezek.
               9.
               6.
               our
               sins
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               are
               increased
               or
               multiplied
               ,
               or
               are
               great
               ;
               many
               in
               number
               ,
               and
               hainous
               in
               their
               nature
               or
               quality
               .
               And
               in
               the
               other
               sense
               ,
               it
               is
               applied
               unto
               the
               mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               whereby
               they
               are
               removed
               ;
               it
               is
               great
               or
               plenteous
               ,
               it
               is
               excellent
               or
               precious
               .
            
             
               V.
               8.
               
               
                 And
                 he
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Lord
               Jehovah
               ;
               he
               with
               whom
               is
               plenteous
               Redemption
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 shall
                 redeem
              
               ;
               or
               make
               them
               partakers
               of
               that
               Redemption
               that
               is
               with
               him
               .
               He
               
                 shall
                 redeem
                 Israel
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               those
               who
               hope
               and
               trust
               in
               him
               .
            
             
               From
               all
               his
               iniquities
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ;
               
                 his
                 iniquities
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               of
               the
               
                 Elect
                 Israel
              
               ,
               and
               every
               individual
               amongst
               them
               .
               But
               the
               word
               signifies
               trouble
               as
               well
               as
               sin
               ,
               especially
               that
               trouble
               or
               punishment
               that
               is
               for
               sin
               .
               So
               Cain
               expresseth
               himself
               upon
               the
               denunciation
               of
               his
               sentence
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 my
                 sin
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               punishment
               thou
               hast
               denounced
               against
               my
               sin
               ,
               
                 is
                 too
                 great
                 or
                 heavy
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 bear
                 ,
              
               Gen.
               4.
               13.
               
               There
               is
               a
               near
               affinity
               between
               sin
               and
               trouble
               ;
               
                 noxam
                 poena
                 sequitur
              
               ,
               punishment
               is
               inseparable
               from
               iniquity
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               then
               the
               word
               here
               used
               signifies
               either
               sin
               with
               reference
               unto
               trouble
               due
               to
               it
               ,
               or
               trouble
               with
               respect
               unto
               sin
               whence
               it
               proceeds
               .
               And
               both
               may
               here
               be
               well
               intended
               .
               
                 God
                 shall
                 redeem
                 Israel
                 from
                 all
                 his
                 sins
                 and
                 troubles
                 that
                 have
                 ensued
                 thereon
                 .
              
               And
               this
               is
               the
               signification
               
               of
               the
               words
               ,
               which
               indeed
               are
               plain
               and
               obvious
               .
            
             
               And
               these
               words
               close
               up
               the
               Psalm
               .
               He
               who
               began
               with
               depths
               ,
               his
               own
               depths
               of
               sin
               and
               trouble
               ;
               out
               of
               which
               ,
               and
               about
               which
               he
               cryed
               out
               unto
               God
               ,
               is
               so
               incouraged
               by
               that
               prospect
               of
               grace
               and
               forgiveness
               with
               God
               ,
               which
               by
               faith
               he
               had
               obtained
               ,
               as
               to
               preach
               unto
               others
               ,
               and
               to
               support
               them
               in
               expectation
               of
               deliverance
               from
               all
               their
               sin
               and
               trouble
               also
               .
            
             
               And
               such
               for
               the
               most
               part
               are
               all
               the
               exercises
               and
               trials
               of
               the
               children
               of
               God.
               Their
               Entrance
               may
               be
               a
               strom
               ,
               but
               their
               close
               is
               a
               calm
               .
               Their
               beginning
               is
               oftentimes
               trouble
               ,
               but
               their
               latter
               end
               is
               peace
               ;
               peace
               to
               themselves
               ,
               and
               advantage
               to
               the
               Church
               of
               God.
               For
               men
               in
               all
               ages
               coming
               out
               of
               great
               trials
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               have
               been
               the
               most
               instrumental
               for
               the
               good
               of
               others
               .
               For
               God
               doth
               not
               greatly
               exercise
               any
               of
               his
               ,
               but
               with
               some
               especial
               end
               for
               his
               own
               glory
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               The
               sense
               and
               intendment
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               in
               these
               words
               is
               to
               be
               considered
               ,
               and
               that
               resolves
               it self
               into
               three
               general
               parts
               .
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     An
                     Exhortation
                     or
                     Admonition
                     .
                     Israel
                     hope
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     or
                     expect
                     Jehovah
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     A
                     ground
                     of
                     Incouragement
                  
                   unto
                   the
                   performance
                   of
                   the
                   Duty
                   exhorted
                   unto
                   ;
                   
                     Because
                     with
                     the
                     Lord
                     there
                     is
                     much
                     ,
                     plenteous
                     ,
                     abundant
                     ,
                     precious
                     Redemption
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   
                     A
                     gracious
                     Promise
                  
                   of
                   a
                   blessed
                   issue
                   which
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   unto
                   the
                   performance
                   of
                   this
                   duty
                   .
                   
                     He
                     shall
                     redeem
                     Israel
                     from
                     all
                     his
                     sins
                     ,
                     and
                     out
                     of
                     all
                     his
                     troubles
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               In
               the
               Exhortation
               there
               occurs
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 persons
                 exhorted
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               Israel
               ;
               not
               Israel
               according
               to
               the
               flesh
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               
                 not
                 all
                 Israel
                 which
                 are
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               9.
               6.
               
               But
               it
               is
               the
               Israel
               mentioned
               ,
               Psal.
               73.
               1.
               
               The
               whole
               Israel
               of
               God
               to
               whom
               he
               
                 is
                 good
              
               ,
               such
               as
               are
               of
               a
               clean
               heart
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               all
               those
               who
               are
               interested
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               and
               do
               inherit
               the
               promise
               of
               their
               forefathers
               who
               was
               first
               called
               by
               that
               name
               ?
               All
               Believers
               ;
               and
               the
               Psalmist
               treats
               them
               all
               in
               general
               in
               this
               matter
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               Because
               there
               is
               none
               of
               them
               but
               have
               
                 their
                 trials
              
               and
               intanglements
               about
               sin
               ,
               more
               or
               less
               .
               As
               there
               is
               
                 none
                 that
              
               
               
                 liveth
                 and
                 sinneth
              
               not
               ;
               so
               there
               is
               
                 none
                 sinneth
              
               ,
               and
               is
               not
               intangled
               and
               troubled
               .
               Perhaps
               then
               they
               are
               not
               all
               of
               them
               in
               the
               same
               condition
               with
               him
               ,
               in
               the
               depths
               that
               he
               was
               plunged
               into
               .
               Yet
               more
               or
               less
               ,
               all
               and
               every
               one
               of
               them
               is
               so
               far
               concerned
               
                 in
                 sin
              
               ,
               as
               to
               need
               his
               direction
               .
               All
               the
               
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
              
               either
               have
               been
               ,
               or
               are
               ,
               or
               may
               be
               in
               these
               depths
               .
               It
               is
               a
               good
               saying
               of
               Austin
               on
               this
               place
               ,
               
                 Valde
                 sunt
                 in
                 profundo
                 qui
                 non
                 clamant
                 de
                 profundo
                 .
                 None
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 deep
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 who
                 do
                 not
                 cry
                 and
                 call
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 deep
                 .
              
               They
               are
               in
               a
               deep
               of
               security
               ,
               who
               are
               never
               sensible
               of
               a
               deep
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               none
               of
               them
               ,
               whatever
               their
               present
               condition
               he
               ,
               but
               
                 they
                 may
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 like
                 depths
              
               with
               those
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               .
               There
               is
               nothing
               absolutely
               in
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               nor
               in
               any
               Promise
               ,
               to
               secure
               them
               from
               it
               .
               And
               what
               befalleth
               any
               one
               Believer
               ,
               may
               befall
               them
               all
               .
               If
               any
               
                 one
                 Believer
              
               may
               fall
               totally
               away
               ,
               all
               may
               do
               so
               ,
               and
               not
               leave
               one
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               so
               an
               end
               be
               put
               to
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               no
               small
               evidence
               that
               they
               cannot
               so
               fall
               .
               But
               they
               may
               
                 fall
                 into
                 depths
              
               of
               sin
               ;
               that
               some
               of
               them
               have
               done
               so
               ,
               we
               have
               testimonies
               and
               instances
               beyond
               exception
               .
               It
               is
               good
               then
               that
               
                 all
                 of
                 them
              
               should
               be
               prepared
               for
               that
               duty
               which
               they
               may
               all
               stand
               in
               need
               of
               ,
               and
               a
               right
               discharge
               of
               it
               .
               Besides
               the
               duty
               mentioned
               ,
               is
               not
               
                 absolutely
                 restrained
              
               to
               the
               condition
               before
               described
               :
               But
               it
               is
               proper
               and
               accommodate
               unto
               other
               seasons
               also
               .
               Therefore
               are
               all
               
                 the
                 Israel
                 of
                 God
              
               exhorted
               unto
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               duty
               it self
               ,
               is
               
                 hoping
                 in
                 Jehovah
              
               ,
               with
               such
               an
               hope
               or
               trust
               ,
               as
               hath
               an
               expectation
               of
               relief
               joyned
               with
               it
               .
               And
               there
               are
               two
               things
               included
               in
               this
               duty
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   Renuntiation
                   of
                   any
                   hopes
                   in
                   expectation
                   of
                   deliverance
                   either
                   from
                   sin
                   or
                   trouble
                   ,
                   any
                   other
                   way
                   ;
                   
                     hope
                     in
                     Jehovah
                  
                   ;
                   this
                   is
                   frequently
                   expressed
                   ,
                   where
                   the
                   performance
                   of
                   this
                   duty
                   is
                   mentioned
                   ;
                   see
                   Hos.
                   14.
                   3.
                   
                   Jer.
                   3.
                   22
                   ,
                   23.
                   
                   And
                   we
                   have
                   declared
                   the
                   nature
                   of
                   it
                   in
                   the
                   exposition
                   of
                   the
                   1
                   ,
                   and
                   2.
                   verses
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     Expectation
                     from
                     him
                  
                   ;
                   and
                   this
                   also
                   hath
                   been
                   insisted
                   on
                   in
                   the
                   Observations
                   from
                   the
                   verses
                   immediately
                   preceding
                   ,
                   wherein
                   also
                   the
                   whole
                   nature
                   of
                   this
                   duty
                   was
                   explained
                   ,
                   and
                   directions
                   were
                   given
                   for
                   the
                   due
                   performance
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               The
               
                 incouragement
                 tendred
              
               unto
               this
               duty
               ,
               is
               the
               
               next
               thing
               in
               the
               words
               ;
               for
               with
               the
               Lord
               is
               plenteous
               Redemption
               ;
               wherein
               we
               may
               observe
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 What
                 it
                 is
              
               that
               he
               professeth
               as
               the
               great
               incouragement
               unto
               the
               duty
               mentioned
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               Redemption
               ;
               the
               Redemption
               that
               is
               with
               God
               ;
               upon
               the
               matter
               the
               same
               with
               the
               forgiveness
               before
               mentioned
               ;
               
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Pardon
              
               ,
               Benignity
               ,
               Bounty
               .
               He
               doth
               not
               bid
               them
               hope
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               because
               they
               were
               the
               
                 seed
                 of
                 Abraham
              
               ,
               the
               peculiar
               people
               of
               God
               made
               partakers
               of
               priviledges
               above
               all
               the
               people
               in
               the
               world
               ;
               much
               less
               because
               of
               their
               worthiness
               ,
               or
               that
               good
               that
               was
               in
               themselves
               ,
               but
               meerly
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               mercy
               in
               God
               ;
               of
               his
               Grace
               ,
               Goodness
               and
               Bounty
               .
               The
               Mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Redemption
               that
               is
               with
               him
               ,
               is
               the
               only
               ground
               unto
               sinners
               for
               hope
               and
               confidence
               
                 in
                 him
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               are
               two
               great
               Concernments
               of
               this
               Grace
               ,
               the
               one
               expressed
               ,
               the
               other
               implied
               in
               the
               words
               .
               The
               first
               is
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               
                 much
                 ,
                 plenteous
                 ,
                 abundant
              
               .
               That
               which
               principally
               discourageth
               
                 distressed
                 souls
              
               from
               a
               comfortable
               waiting
               on
               God
               ,
               is
               ,
               their
               fears
               lest
               they
               should
               not
               
                 obtain
                 mercy
                 from
                 him
              
               ,
               and
               that
               because
               their
               sins
               are
               
                 so
                 great
              
               ,
               and
               
                 so
                 many
              
               ;
               or
               attended
               with
               such
               circumstances
               and
               aggravations
               ,
               as
               that
               it
               is
               impossible
               they
               should
               find
               acceptance
               with
               God.
               This
               ground
               of
               despondency
               and
               unbelief
               ,
               the
               Psalmist
               obviates
               ,
               by
               representing
               the
               fulness
               ,
               the
               plenty
               ,
               the
               boundless
               plenty
               of
               the
               mercy
               that
               is
               with
               God.
               It
               is
               such
               as
               will
               suit
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               greatest
               sinners
               in
               their
               greatest
               depths
               ;
               the
               stores
               of
               its
               treasures
               are
               inexhaustible
               .
               And
               the
               force
               of
               the
               exhortation
               doth
               not
               lie
               so
               much
               in
               this
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               
                 Redemption
                 with
                 God
              
               ,
               as
               that
               this
               Redemption
               is
               plenteous
               or
               abundant
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Here
               is
               an
               intimation
               in
               the
               
                 Word
                 it self
              
               of
               that
               Relation
               which
               the
               Goodness
               and
               Grace
               of
               God
               proposed
               hath
               to
               the
               
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
              
               ;
               whence
               it
               is
               called
               Redemption
               .
               This
               ,
               as
               was
               shewed
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               words
               ,
               hath
               respect
               unto
               a
               price
               ,
               the
               price
               whereby
               we
               are
               bought
               ,
               that
               is
               the
               blood
               of
               Christ.
               This
               is
               that
               whereby
               way
               is
               made
               for
               the
               exercise
               of
               mercy
               towards
               sinners
               ;
               Redemption
               ,
               which
               properly
               denotes
               actual
               deliverance
               ,
               is
               said
               to
               be
               with
               God
               ,
               or
               in
               him
               ,
               as
               the
               effect
               in
               the
               cause
               .
               The
               causes
               of
               it
               are
               his
               
                 own
                 Grace
              
               ,
               and
               the
               
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
                 There
              
               are
               these
               prepared
               for
               the
               redeeming
               of
               Believers
               from
               
               sin
               and
               trouble
               ,
               unto
               his
               own
               glory
               .
               And
               herein
               lyeth
               the
               incouragement
               that
               the
               Psalmist
               proposeth
               unto
               the
               performance
               of
               the
               duty
               exhorted
               unto
               ;
               namely
               ,
               to
               
                 wait
                 on
                 God.
              
               It
               is
               taken
               from
               God
               himself
               ,
               as
               
                 all
                 incouragements
              
               unto
               sinners
               to
               draw
               nigh
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               to
               wait
               for
               him
               ,
               must
               be
               .
               Nothing
               but
               himself
               can
               give
               us
               confidence
               to
               go
               unto
               him
               .
               And
               it
               is
               suited
               unto
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               under
               consideration
               .
               Redemption
               and
               Mercy
               are
               suited
               to
               give
               relief
               from
               sin
               and
               misery
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               The
               
                 last
                 verse
              
               contains
               a
               promise
               of
               the
               issue
               of
               the
               performance
               of
               this
               duty
               ;
               
                 He
                 shall
                 redeem
                 his
                 people
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 iniquities
                 .
              
               Two
               things
               are
               observable
               in
               the
               words
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               
                 Certainty
                 of
                 the
                 Issue
              
               or
               event
               of
               the
               duty
               mentioned
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 and
                 he
                 shall
              
               ;
               or
               ,
               
                 he
                 will
                 redeem
              
               ;
               he
               will
               assuredly
               do
               so
               .
               Now
               ,
               although
               this
               in
               the
               Psalmist
               is
               given
               out
               by
               Revelation
               ,
               and
               is
               a
               
                 new
                 promise
              
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               as
               it
               relates
               to
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               soul
               here
               expressed
               ,
               and
               the
               discovery
               made
               by
               saith
               of
               forgiveness
               and
               Redemption
               with
               God
               ,
               the
               Certainty
               intended
               in
               this
               Assertion
               is
               built
               upon
               the
               principles
               before
               laid
               down
               .
               Whence
               therefore
               doth
               it
               appear
               ,
               whence
               may
               we
               infallibly
               conclude
               ,
               that
               
                 God
                 will
                 redeem
                 his
                 Israel
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 iniquities
              
               ?
               I
               answer
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               The
               Conclusion
               is
               drawn
               from
               the
               
                 Nature
                 of
                 God.
              
               There
               is
               forgiveness
               and
               Redemption
               with
               him
               and
               he
               will
               act
               towards
               his
               people
               suitably
               to
               his
               own
               nature
               .
               There
               is
               Redemption
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               will
               redeem
               ;
               forgiveness
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               will
               forgive
               .
               As
               the
               Conclusion
               is
               certain
               and
               infallible
               ;
               that
               wicked
               men
               ,
               ungodly
               men
               ,
               shall
               be
               destroyed
               ,
               because
               God
               is
               Righteous
               and
               holy
               ;
               his
               Righteousness
               and
               Holiness
               indispensibly
               requiring
               their
               destruction
               ;
               so
               is
               the
               Redemption
               and
               Salvation
               of
               all
               that
               believe
               ,
               certain
               on
               this
               account
               ;
               namely
               ,
               because
               there
               is
               forgiveness
               with
               him
               ;
               he
               is
               good
               and
               gracious
               ,
               and
               ready
               to
               forgive
               ;
               his
               Goodness
               and
               Grace
               requires
               their
               Salvation
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Conclusion
               is
               certain
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               Gods
               
                 Faithfulness
                 in
                 his
                 Promises
              
               .
               He
               hath
               promised
               ;
               that
               those
               who
               wait
               on
               him
               
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 ashamed
              
               ;
               that
               their
               expectation
               shall
               not
               be
               disappointed
               ;
               whence
               the
               Conclusion
               is
               certain
               ,
               that
               in
               his
               time
               and
               way
               they
               shall
               be
               redeemed
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               There
               is
               the
               Extent
               of
               this
               deliverance
               or
               Redemption
               ;
               shall
               redeem
               
                 Israel
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 Iniquities
              
               .
               It
               was
               shewed
               in
               the
               opening
               of
               the
               verse
               ,
               that
               this
               word
               denotes
               either
               
                 sin
                 procuring
                 trouble
              
               ,
               or
               trouble
               procured
               by
               sin
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               a
               respect
               unto
               both
               ,
               sin
               and
               its
               punishment
               .
               From
               both
               ,
               from
               all
               of
               both
               kind
               ,
               God
               will
               redeem
               his
               Israel
               .
               Not
               this
               or
               that
               evil
               ;
               this
               or
               that
               sin
               ,
               but
               from
               all
               evil
               ,
               all
               sin
               .
               He
               will
               take
               all
               sins
               from
               their
               souls
               ,
               and
               wipe
               all
               tears
               from
               their
               Eyes
               .
               Now
               God
               is
               said
               to
               do
               this
               on
               many
               accounts
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               On
               the
               account
               of
               the
               
                 Great
                 Cause
              
               of
               all
               actual
               deliverance
               and
               Redemption
               ,
               the
               
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               He
               hath
               laid
               an
               
                 assured
                 foundation
              
               of
               the
               whole
               work
               ;
               the
               price
               of
               Redemption
               is
               paid
               ,
               and
               they
               shall
               in
               due
               time
               enjoy
               the
               Effects
               and
               fruits
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Of
               the
               Actual
               Communication
               of
               the
               Effects
               of
               that
               Redemption
               unto
               them
               .
               This
               is
               sure
               to
               all
               the
               Elect
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               his
               whole
               Israel
               .
               They
               shall
               all
               be
               made
               partakers
               of
               them
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               end
               of
               all
               the
               promises
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               grace
               and
               mercy
               promised
               in
               them
               ,
               namely
               that
               they
               should
               be
               means
               to
               exhibit
               and
               give
               out
               to
               Believers
               that
               Redemption
               which
               is
               purchased
               and
               prepared
               for
               them
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               done
               two
               wayes
               ,
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Partially
                   ,
                   initially
                
                 and
                 gradually
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 Here
                 God
                 gives
                 in
                 unto
                 them
                 the
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   their
                   sins
                
                 ;
                 being
                 justified
                 freely
                 by
                 his
                 grace
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 Sanctification
                 of
                 them
                 through
                 his
                 spirit
                 ,
                 gives
                 them
                 delivery
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 dominion
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Many
                 troubles
                 also
                 he
                 delivers
                 them
                 from
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 all
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 Poenal
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 any
                 mixture
                 of
                 the
                 Curse
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Compleatly
                 ;
                 Namely
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 freed
                 them
                 from
                 sin
                 and
                 trouble
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 effects
                 and
                 consequents
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 bringing
                 them
                 unto
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 himself
                 in
                 Glory
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Words
               being
               thus
               opened
               ,
               we
               may
               briefly
               in
               the
               next
               place
               consider
               what
               they
               express
               ,
               concerning
               the
               State
               ,
               Condition
               ,
               or
               Actings
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               which
               are
               represented
               in
               this
               Psalm
               .
            
             
               Having
               himself
               attained
               unto
               the
               State
               before
               described
               ,
               and
               being
               engaged
               resolvedly
               into
               the
               performance
               of
               that
               
               duty
               which
               would
               assuredly
               bring
               him
               into
               an
               haven
               of
               full
               rest
               and
               peace
               ;
               the
               Psalmist
               applyes
               himself
               unto
               the
               residue
               of
               the
               
                 Israel
                 of
                 God
              
               to
               give
               them
               incouragement
               unto
               this
               duty
               with
               himself
               ,
               from
               the
               Experience
               that
               he
               had
               of
               a
               blessed
               success
               therein
               .
               As
               if
               he
               had
               said
               unto
               them
               ;
               
                 Ye
                 are
                 now
                 in
                 Affictions
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 troubles
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 and
                 provocations
                 .
                 A
                 condition
                 I
                 Confess
                 sad
                 and
                 deplorable
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 in
                 Israel
                 concerning
                 these
                 things
                 .
                 For
                 consider
                 how
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 dealt
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 was
                 in
                 depths
                 inexpressible
                 ,
                 and
                 saw
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 no
                 way
                 or
                 means
                 of
                 delivery
                 .
                 But
                 God
                 hath
                 been
                 pleased
                 graciously
                 to
                 reveal
                 himself
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 pardoning
                 Iniquity
                 ,
                 transgression
                 ,
                 and
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 and
                 supportment
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 received
                 thereby
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 waiting
                 for
                 a
                 full
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 his
                 Love.
                 Let
                 me
                 therefore
                 prevail
                 with
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 like
                 condition
                 to
                 steer
                 the
                 same
                 course
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 Only
                 let
                 your
                 expectations
                 be
                 fixed
                 in
                 mercy
                 and
                 Soveraign
                 Grace
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 regard
                 unto
                 any
                 priviledge
                 or
                 worth
                 in
                 your selves
                 .
                 Rest
                 in
                 the
                 plenteous
                 redemption
                 ,
                 those
                 stores
                 of
                 Grace
                 which
                 are
                 with
                 Jehovah
                 ,
                 and
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 faithfulness
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 deliver
                 you
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 perplexing
                 troubles
                 .
              
            
             
               Having
               thus
               opened
               the
               Words
               ,
               I
               shall
               now
               only
               name
               the
               
                 doctrinal
                 Observations
              
               that
               are
               tendred
               from
               them
               ,
               and
               so
               put
               a
               close
               to
               these
               Discourses
               .
               As
               ,
               
                 
                   Obs.
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Lord
                     Jehovah
                     is
                     the
                     only
                     hope
                     for
                     sin-distressed
                     souls
                     ;
                     Hope
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                  
                   :
                   This
                   hath
                   been
                   sufficiently
                   discovered
                   and
                   confirmed
                   on
                   sundry
                   passages
                   in
                   the
                   Psalm
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   2.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Ground
                     of
                     all
                     hope
                     and
                     Expectation
                     of
                     relief
                     in
                     sinners
                     ,
                     is
                     meer
                     Grace
                     ,
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     and
                     Redemption
                     .
                  
                   Hope
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   with
                   him
                   there
                   is
                   Redemption
                   .
                   All
                   other
                   grounds
                   of
                   hope
                   are
                   false
                   and
                   deceiving
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   3.
                   
                   
                     Inexhaustible
                     stores
                     of
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     and
                     Redemption
                     are
                     needful
                     for
                     the
                     incouragement
                     of
                     sinners
                     to
                     rest
                     and
                     wait
                     on
                     God.
                  
                   With
                   him
                   is
                   
                     plentiful
                     Redemption
                  
                   .
                   Such
                   is
                   your
                   misery
                   ,
                   so
                   pressing
                   are
                   your
                   fears
                   and
                   disconsolations
                   ,
                   that
                   nothing
                   less
                   than
                   
                     boundless
                     Grace
                  
                   ,
                   can
                   relieve
                   or
                   support
                   you
                   ;
                   there
                   are
                   therefore
                   
                     such
                     Treasures
                  
                   and
                   stores
                   in
                   God
                   as
                   are
                   suited
                   hereunto
                   .
                   With
                   him
                   is
                   
                     Plenteous
                     Redemption
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   
                   Obs.
                   4.
                   
                   
                     The
                     Ground
                     of
                     all
                     the
                     dispensation
                     of
                     Mercy
                     ,
                     Goodness
                     ,
                     Grace
                     ,
                     and
                     forgiveness
                     which
                     is
                     in
                     God
                     to
                     Sinners
                     ,
                     is
                     laid
                     in
                     the
                     blood
                     of
                     Christ.
                  
                   Hence
                   it
                   is
                   here
                   called
                   Redemption
                   .
                   Unto
                   this
                   also
                   we
                   have
                   spoken
                   at
                   large
                   before
                   .
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   5.
                   
                   
                     All
                     that
                     wait
                     on
                     God
                     on
                     the
                     account
                     of
                     Mercy
                     and
                     Grace
                     shall
                     have
                     an
                     undoubted
                     Issue
                     of
                     peace
                     .
                  
                   He
                   shall
                   redeem
                   Israel
                   ;
                   let
                   him
                   saith
                   God
                   lay
                   hold
                   of
                   my
                   Arm
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   have
                   peace
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   peace
                   ,
                   Isa.
                   27.
                   3.
                   
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   6.
                   
                   
                     Mercy
                     given
                     to
                     them
                     that
                     wait
                     on
                     God
                     shall
                     in
                     the
                     close
                     and
                     issue
                     ,
                     be
                     every
                     way
                     full
                     and
                     satisfying
                     .
                  
                   He
                   shall
                   redeem
                   his
                   people
                   from
                   all
                   their
                   Iniquities
                   .
                
              
            
             
               And
               these
               Propositions
               do
               arise
               from
               the
               words
               ,
               as
               absolutely
               considered
               ,
               and
               in
               themselves
               .
               If
               we
               mind
               their
               Relation
               unto
               the
               peculiar
               Condition
               of
               the
               soul
               represented
               in
               this
               Psalm
               ,
               they
               will
               yet
               afford
               us
               the
               ensuing
               Observations
               .
               
                 
                   
                     Obs.
                     1.
                     
                     
                       They
                       who
                       out
                       of
                       depths
                       ,
                       have
                       by
                       faith
                       and
                       waiting
                       obtained
                       mercy
                       ,
                       or
                       are
                       supported
                       in
                       waiting
                       for
                       a
                       sense
                       of
                       believed
                       mercy
                       and
                       forgiveness
                       ,
                       are
                       fitted
                       ,
                       and
                       only
                       they
                       are
                       fitted
                       to
                       Preach
                       and
                       declare
                       Grace
                       ,
                       and
                       mercy
                       unto
                       others
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     This
                     was
                     the
                     Case
                     with
                     the
                     Psalmist
                     .
                     Upon
                     his
                     emerging
                     out
                     of
                     his
                     own
                     depths
                     and
                     streights
                     ,
                     he
                     declares
                     the
                     mercy
                     and
                     redemption
                     whereby
                     he
                     was
                     delivered
                     ,
                     unto
                     the
                     whole
                     Israel
                     of
                     God.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   Obs.
                   2.
                   
                   
                     A
                     saving
                     participation
                     of
                     Grace
                     and
                     forgiveness
                     leaves
                     a
                     deep
                     Impression
                     of
                     its
                     fulness
                     and
                     excellency
                     on
                     the
                     soul
                     of
                     a
                     sinner
                  
                   ;
                   So
                   was
                   it
                   here
                   with
                   the
                   Psalmist
                   .
                   Having
                   himself
                   obtained
                   Forgiveness
                   ,
                   he
                   knows
                   no
                   bounds
                   or
                   measure
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   in
                   the
                   extolling
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   There
                   is
                   with
                   God
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   Redemption
                   ,
                   Plenteous
                   Redemption
                   ,
                   redeeming
                   from
                   all
                   Iniquity
                   ;
                   I
                   have
                   found
                   it
                   so
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   will
                   every
                   one
                   do
                   that
                   shall
                   believe
                   it
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Now
               these
               Observations
               might
               all
               of
               them
               ,
               especially
               the
               two
               last
               ,
               receive
               an
               useful
               improvement
               .
               But
               whereas
               what
               I
               principally
               intended
               from
               this
               Psalm
               ,
               hath
               been
               at
               large
               insisted
               on
               ,
               upon
               the
               
                 first
                 verses
              
               of
               it
               ,
               I
               shall
               not
               here
               further
               draw
               forth
               any
               Meditations
               upon
               them
               ,
               but
               content
               my self
               with
               the
               Exposition
               that
               hath
               been
               given
               of
               the
               design
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               and
               sense
               of
               his
               words
               in
               these
               last
               verses
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A53721-e350
           
             
               1.
               
               Out
               of
               the
               depths
               have
               I
               cryed
               unto
               thee
               ,
               O
               Lord.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Lord
               ,
               hear
               my
               voice
               ,
               let
               thine
               ears
               be
               attentive
               to
               the
               voyce
               of
               my
               supplications
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             If
             thou
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             shouldst
             mark
             iniquities
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             who
             shall
             stand
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             But
             there
             is
             forgiveness
             with
             thee
             :
             that
             thou
             maist
             be
             feared
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             I
             wait
             for
             the
             Lord
             ,
             my
             soul
             doth
             wait
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             word
             do
             I
             hope
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             My
             soul
             waiteth
             for
             the
             Lord
             ,
             more
             than
             they
             ,
             that
             watch
             for
             the
             morning
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             more
             than
             they
             that
             watch
             for
             the
             morning
             .
          
           
             
               7.
               
               Let
               Israel
               hope
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               for
               with
               the
               Lord
               there
               is
               mercy
               ,
               and
               with
               him
               is
               plenteous
               Redemption
               .
            
             
               8.
               
               And
               he
               shall
               redeem
               Israel
               from
               all
               his
               Iniquities
               .
            
          
           
             General
             Scope
             of
             the
             whole
             Psalm
             .
          
           
             The
             two
             first
             Verses
             opened
             .
          
           
             Depths
             of
             trouble
             on
             the
             account
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             Depths
             of
             Sin
             ,
             wherein
             they
             consist
             .
          
           
             The
             Nature
             and
             Extent
             of
             supplies
             of
             Grace
             according
             to
             the
             Covenant
             .
          
           
             The
             Power
             of
             Indwelling
             Sin.
             
          
           
             Gods
             Soveraignty
             in
             dealing
             with
             Believers
             in
             their
             sins
             .
          
           
             Sins
             occasioning
             great
             distresses
             .
          
           
             Aggravations
             of
             sins
             causing
             distresses
             .
          
           
             The
             second
             Verse
             opened
             .
          
           
             Actings
             of
             a
             Believer
             under
             distress
             from
             sin
             .
          
           
             False
             ways
             of
             relieving
             souls
             in
             distress
             .
          
           
             Earnestness
             of
             a
             distressed
             soul
             in
             its
             Applications
             unto
             God.
             
          
           
             Grounds
             of
             earnestness
             in
             Applications
             unto
             God.
             
          
           
             Earnestness
             &c.
             wherein
             it
             consisteth
             .
          
           
             Verse
             3.
             opened
             .
          
           
             Propositions
             from
             Verse
             3.
             
          
           
             Terror
             arising
             from
             a
             sense
             of
             the
             guilt
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             Gods
             marking
             sin
             ,
             and
             mans
             salvation
             inconsistent
             .
          
           
             The
             souls
             .
             actings
             towards
             a
             Recovery
             .
          
           
             Sense
             of
             sin
             ,
             wherein
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             Nature
             and
             Causes
             of
             Gospel
             convictions
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             Acknowledgement
             of
             sin
             ,
             the
             true
             nature
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Self-condemnation
             ,
             wherein
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             Miscarriages
             in
             persons
             convinced
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             The
             fourth
             Verse
             opened
             .
          
           
             Doctrinal
             Observations
             from
             V.
             4.
             
          
           
             No
             approaching
             unto
             God
             ,
             without
             a
             discovery
             of
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             a
             great
             Mysterie
             .
          
           
             Testimony
             of
             a
             natural
             consciscience
             ,
             against
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Law
             against
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             False
             Presumptions
             of
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             Nature
             of
             Gospel
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             ,
             as
             it
             relates
             to
             the
             Nature
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Forgiveness
             as
             it
             relates
             to
             the
             free
             Acts
             of
             Gods
             Will.
             
          
           
             Forgiveness
             as
             it
             hath
             respect
             to
             the
             blood
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Forgiveness
             as
             it
             relates
             unto
             the
             Promise
             .
          
           
             What
             faith
             respects
             in
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             discovered
             to
             Faith
             alone
             .
          
           
             Discovery
             of
             Forgiveness
             a
             great
             supportment
             .
          
           
             Particular
             Assurance
             attainable
             .
          
           
             Duty
             of
             Believers
             to
             endeavour
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Causes
             and
             Effects
             of
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Saving
             Faith
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Discovery
             of
             forgiveness
             a
             great
             supportment
             to
             intangled
             souls
             .
          
           
             Effects
             of
             the
             Discovery
             of
             Forgiveness
             in
             God.
             
          
           
             Means
             whereby
             a
             Discovery
             of
             Forgiveness
             yields
             supportment
             .
          
           
             Abiding
             with
             God
             ,
             wherein
             it
             consisteth
             .
          
           
             Waiting
             on
             God
             from
             a
             Discovery
             of
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Discovery
             of
             Forgiveness
             prepares
             the
             soul
             to
             receive
             it
             .
          
           
             Vain
             pretences
             of
             Faith
             discovered
             .
          
           
             Essential
             properties
             of
             Gods
             nature
             how
             made
             known
             .
          
           
             Free
             Acts
             of
             Gods
             Will
             ,
             how
             they
             may
             be
             known
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             not
             revealed
             by
             the
             work
             of
             Providence
             about
             the
             first
             sin
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             discovered
             in
             the
             first
             Promise
             .
          
           
             Sacrifices
             an
             Evidence
             of
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             with
             God
             ,
             manifested
             by
             his
             Prescription
             of
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             Confirmation
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             Forgiveness
             necessary
             .
          
           
             Necessity
             of
             producing
             Arguments
             to
             prove
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Some
             sinners
             actually
             pardoned
             and
             accepted
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             Patience
             of
             God
             towards
             the
             World
             ,
             an
             evidence
             of
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Experience
             of
             the
             Saints
             giveing
             Testimony
             to
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             The
             Evidence
             that
             is
             in
             Spiritual
             Experience
             .
          
           
             Religious
             Worship
             of
             sinners
             ,
             an
             Evidence
             of
             Forgiveness
             with
             God.
             
          
           
             Especial
             Ordinances
             evidencing
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Prayer
             for
             the
             Pardon
             of
             sin
             commanded
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             manifested
             in
             the
             New
             Covenant
             .
          
           
             Nature
             ,
             Use
             and
             End
             of
             the
             first
             Covenant
             .
          
           
             Reason
             of
             Alteration
             of
             the
             first
             Covenant
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             confirmed
             by
             the
             Oath
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Forgiveness
             confirmed
             by
             the
             Name
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             ,
             of
             Gods
             Nature
             ,
             manifesting
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             What
             it
             is
             to
             give
             Glory
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             Glory
             arising
             to
             God
             by
             Forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             manifested
             in
             the
             Death
             of
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Our
             Obligation
             unto
             mutual
             forgiveness
             ,
             proves
             forgiveness
             in
             God.
             
          
           
             Properties
             of
             Divine
             forgiveness
             .
          
           
             Forgiveness
             believed
             by
             Few
             .
          
           
             Exhortations
             unto
             Believing
             .
          
           
             Terms
             of
             Peace
             with
             God
             ,
             Equal
             and
             Holy.
             
          
           
             Certainty
             of
             the
             final
             Ruine
             of
             them
             who
             believe
             not
             .
          
           
             Exhortation
             to
             Believing
             enforced
             .
          
           
             Christ
             the
             only
             Judge
             of
             our
             spiritual
             condition
             .
          
           
             Self-condemnation
             consistent
             with
             Gospel
             Justification
             and
             Peace
             .
          
           
             Gospel
             Assurance
             ,
             wherein
             it
             consisteth
             .
          
           
             Sense
             of
             sin
             consistent
             with
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Sorrow
             for
             sin
             consistent
             with
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Sense
             of
             the
             power
             of
             sin
             consistent
             with
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Fears
             and
             Temptations
             consistent
             with
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             The
             Nature
             and
             Effects
             of
             Gospel
             Assurance
             .
          
           
             Effects
             of
             Gospel
             Assurance
             in
             Believers
             .
          
           
             Waiting
             necessary
             to
             obtain
             Peace
             .
          
           
             Search
             of
             Sin
             necessary
             to
             consolation
             .
          
           
             Unbelief
             and
             Jealousie
             distinguished
             .
          
           
             Different
             Effects
             of
             Unbelief
             and
             Jealousie
             .
          
           
             Differences
             between
             faith
             and
             spiritual
             sense
             .
          
           
             Spiritual
             sense
             wherein
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             Foundation
             and
             Spiritual
             Building
             distinguished
             .
          
           
             Complaints
             fruitless
             and
             heartless
             to
             be
             avoided
             .
          
           
             Hasty
             Expressions
             concerning
             God
             to
             be
             avoided
             .
          
           
             Judgement
             of
             mens
             states
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             Christ
             alone
             .
          
           
             The
             least
             Appearances
             of
             Grace
             to
             be
             improved
             .
          
           
             Afflictions
             a
             cause
             of
             spiritual
             disquictments
             .
          
           
             Means
             of
             the
             Aggravation
             of
             Affliction
             .
          
           
             Rules
             to
             be
             observed
             concerning
             Afflictions
             .
          
           
             Objections
             against
             Believing
             ,
             from
             the
             State
             of
             the
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Two
             different
             estates
             whereunto
             all
             men
             belong
             .
          
           
             Saving
             Grace
             specifically
             distinct
             from
             common
             Grace
             .
          
           
             Difference
             between
             the
             State
             of
             Grace
             and
             Nature
             discernable
             .
          
           
             Believers
             may
             know
             themselves
             to
             be
             born
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             Rules
             whereby
             men
             may
             judge
             of
             their
             Condition
             in
             respect
             of
             Inherent
             Grace
             .
          
           
             Objections
             from
             weakness
             in
             Duty
             ,
             and
             the
             power
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             V.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             V.
             5
             ,
             &
             6.
             opened
             .
          
           
             Waiting
             the
             first
             fruit
             of
             Faith
             in
             a
             way
             of
             Duty
             .
          
           
             Waiting
             on
             God
             wherein
             it
             consists
             .
          
           
             God
             himself
             the
             Object
             of
             our
             Waiting
             .
          
           
             Waiting
             on
             God
             whence
             so
             necessary
             .
          
           
             Considerations
             of
             Gods
             Being
             and
             Attributes
             rendring
             Waiting
             necessary
             .
          
           
             Considerations
             of
             Gods
             Righteousness
             in
             his
             Judgements
             .
          
           
             Considerations
             of
             our
             own
             Condition
             tending
             to
             Humble
             us
             .
          
           
             Supportment
             in
             trouble
             from
             the
             Word
             of
             Promise
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             130.
             v.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Exposition
             of
             vers
             .
             7
             ,
             &
             8.