are the children of God h: Which spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are fealed to the day of redemption i. III. This infallible affurance doth not fo belong to the effence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties, before he be partaker of it k: yet being enabled by the spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation,in the right ufe of ordinary means, attain thereunto 1. And therefore it is the duty of every one, to give all diligence to make his calling and election fure m that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the holy Ghoft, in love and thankfulness to God, and in ftrength b Rom.8.15. Forye have not received the fpirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the fpiritof adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,Father. . 16. The fpirit it felf beareth witnels withour spirit, that we are the children of God. i Eph.1.13.In whom yeallo trufted,after that ye heard the word of truth, the gofpel of your falvation: In whom alfo, after that ye believed, ye were fealed with that holyfpirit of promife.. 14. Which is the earneftof ourinheritance,untilthe redemption of the purchafed poffeffion,unto thepraileof hisglory. Eph. 4.30. And grieve not the holy fpirit of God,whereby ye are fealed unto theday of redemption. 2Cor 1.21.Now he whichftablisheth us with you,in Chrift,and hath anointed us,is God: v. 22. Who hath alfo fealed us, and given the earneft of the fpirit in our hearts. III.k 1 Joha 5. 13. Thete things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Ifa. 50 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his fervant, that walketh in darknefs,and hath no light? let him trult in the name of the Lord,and flay uponhisGod. I 11 Cor. 2.12. Now we have received,not the spirit of the world, but the fpiritwhich is of God; that we might know the thingsthat are freely givento us ofGod John 4. 13.Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit. Heb.6. 11.And we defire, that every one of you do fhew thefame diligence, to the full affurance of hope unto the end: v. 12. That you be not flothful, but followers of them, who thro' faith and patience in heritthe promifes.Eph.3. 17. That Chriftmay dwell in yourhearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, v. 18. ay be ableto comprehend with all faints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height, v. 19. And. to know the love of Chrift,which palleth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all thefulnessof God. m 2 Pet.1.10. Wherefore therather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election fure: for if ye do thele things, ye fhall never fall. Chap. 18. ftrength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience; the proper fruits of this affurance n: fo far is it from inclining men to loofnefs o. IV. True believers may have the affurance of their falvation divers ways fhaken, diminished and intermitted; as, by negligence in preferving of it, by falling into fome special fin,which woundeth the confcience, and grieveth the spirit; by fome fudden or vehement temptation; by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such nRom. 5.1.Therefore being juftified by faith,we have peace with God thro' our Lord Jefus Chrift. v. 2. By whom alfo we have accefs by faith into this grace whereinwe itand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. v. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghoft, which is given unto us Rom. 14.17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteoufnefs and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoft. Rom.15.13.Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,through the power of the holy Ghoft.Eph. 1. 3. Bleffed be the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift,who hath bleffed us with all fpiritualbleflingsinheavenly places inChrift: v.4.According as he hath chofen us in him,before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,and without blame before him in love. Pfal. 4. 6. There be many that fay, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. v. 7. Thou haft put gladness in my heart,more than in the time that their corn and their wine increafed. Pfal. 119. 32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 01 John2.1. My little children, these things write I unto you,that yefin not. And if any nian fin, we have an advocate with the Father, as Jefus Chrift the righteous. v. 2. And he is the propitiation for our fins: and not for ours only, but alfo for thefins of thewholeworld. Rom.6. 1.What shall we say then? shall we continue in fin that grace may abound? v. 2. God forbid : how shall we that are dead to fin, live any longer therein? Tit.2. 11. Forthe grace of Godthat bringeth falvation, hath appeared unto all men, v. 12. Teaching us that denying ungodlinefs & worldly lufts, wefhould live foberly,righteously, and godly in this prefent world. v. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,zealous of good works. 2 Cor. 7. 1.Having therefore thefe promifes (dearly beloved, let us cleanfe our felves from all filthiness of the flesh and fpirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Rom.8.1.There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the fpirit. v. 12. Therefore bre thren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 1 John 3.2.Beloved, now are we the fons of God,and it doth not yet appear what we fhall be but we know, that when he fhall appear,we thall be like him: for we fhall fee him as he is. v.3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Pfalm 130. 4. But there is forgivenels as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light p: Yet are they never utterly deftitute of that feed of God, and life of faith, that love of Chrift and the brethren, that fincerity of heart and confcience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the fpirit, this affurance may in due time be with thee: that thou mayelt be feared. John 1. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. v. 7. But, If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jefus Chrift his fon cleanseth us from all fin. IV. p Cant. 5.2. I fleep, but my heart waketh; itis the voice of my beloved that knocketh, faying, open to me, my fifter, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head isfilledwithdew,and my locks with the drops of the night. v. 3. I have put of my coat, how fhall I putit on? I have washed my feet, how fball I defile them? v. 6. I opened to my beloved,but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my foul failed when he fpake: I fought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. Pfal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladenefs; that the bones which thou halt broken may rejoice. v. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy falvation; and uphold me with thy free fpirit. v. 14. Deliver me from blood-guiltinefs, O God, thou God of my falvation; and my tongue fhall fing aloudof thy righteoufness. Eph. 4, 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,whereby ye are fealed unto the day of redempton. v. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-fpeaking be put away from you, with all inalice. Pfalm 77. 1. I cried unto God with myvoice:even unto God with my voice,and he gave ear unto me. v. 2. In the day of my trouble I fought the Lord myfore ran in the night, and ceafed not: my foul refufed to be comforted. v. 3. I remembred God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah v. 4.Thou holdeftmine eyes waking; I am fo troubled, that I cannot fpeak. v. 5. I have confidered the days of old, the years of ancient times. v. 6. I call to remembrance my fong in the night: I commune with mine own heart, and my fpirit madediligent fearch. v. 7. Will the Lord caft off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? v. 8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promife fail for evermore? v. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in angerthut uphis tendermercies? Selah* v. 10. And I faid, this ismyinfirmitie,but Iwillremember the years of the right hand of the muft High. Mat. 26. 57. Now Peter fat without in the palace; and a damfel came unto him, faying, Thou alfo was with Jefus of Galilee. v. 70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou fayeft.". 71. Andwhen he was gone out into the poarch, another maid faw him,and faid unto them that were there, This fellow was alfo with Jefus of Nazareth. v. 72. And again he denied. with an oath, 1 do not know the man. Pfal. 31. 22. For I faid in my halte, I am cut off from before thineeyes:neverthelessthouheardeft the voice of my fupplications when I cried untothec. (Pial, S8, throughout. Ifa. 50. 10. Who i) among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his fer G2 vant, ftrength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience; the proper fruits of this affurance n: fo far is it from inclining men to loofnefs o. IV. True believers may have the affurance of their falvation divers ways fhaken, diminished and intermitted; as, by negligence in preferving of it, by falling into fome special fin,which woundeth the confcience, and grieveth the spirit; by fome fudden or vehement temptation; by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance,and fuffering even such nRom. 5.1.Therefore being juftified by faith, we have peace with God thro' our Lord Jefus Chrift. v. 2. By whom alfo we have accefs by faith into this grace whereinwe ftand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. v. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghoft, which is given unto us Rom. 14.17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteoufnefs and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoft. Rom.15.13.Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,through the power of the holy Ghoft.Eph. 1. 3. Bleffed be the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift,who hath bleffed us with all fpiritualbleflingsinheavenly places inChrift: v.4.According as he hath chofen us in him,before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,and without blame before him in love. Pfal. 4. 6. There be many that fay, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. v. 7. Thou haft put gladness in my heart,more than in the time that their corn and their wine increafed. Pfal. 119. 32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. o John2.1. My little children, these things write I unto you,that ye fin not. And if any man fin, we have an advocate with the Father, as Jefus Chrift the righteous. v. z. And he is the propitiation for our fins: and not for ours only, but alfo for thefins of thewholeworld. Rom.6. 1. What shall we fay then? shall we continue in fin that grace may abound? v. 2. God forbid : how shall we that are dead to fin, live any longer therein? Tit.2. 11. Forthe grace of Godthat bringeth falvation, hath appeared unto all men, v. 12. Teaching us that denying ungodlinefs & worldly lufts, wethould live foberly,righteoufly, and godly in this prefent world. v. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from alĺ iniquity, and purify unto himfelf a peculiar people,zealous of good works. 2 Cor. 7. 1.Having therefore thefe promifes (dearly beloved, let us cleanfe our felves from all filthinefs of the flesh and fpirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Rom.8.1.There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the fpirit. v. 12. Therefore brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 1 John 3.2.Beloved, now are we the fons of God,and it doth not yet appear what we fhall be: but we know, that when he fhall appear, we thall be like him: for we fhall fee him as he is. v.3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Pfalm 130. 4. But there is forgiveness as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light p: Yet are they never utterly deftitute of that feed of God, and life of faith, that love of Chrift and the brethren, that fincerity of heart and confcience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the fpirit, this affurance may in due time be with thee that thou mayelt be feared. John 1. 6. If we fay that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. v. 7. But, If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jefus Chrift his fon cleanseth us from all fin. IV. p Cant. 5.2. I fleep, but my heart waketh; it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, faying, open to me, my fifter, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head isfilledwithdew,and my locks with the drops of the night. v. 3. I have put of my coat, how fhall I putit on? Ihaye washed my feet, how fball I defile them? v. 6. I opened to my beloved,but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my foul failed when he fpake: I fought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no anfwer. Pfal. 51. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladenefs; that the bones which thou haft broken may rejoice. v. 12. Reftore unto me the joy of thy falvation; and uphold mewith thy free fpirit. v. 14. Deliver me from blood guiltinefs, O God, thou God of my falvation; and my tongue fhall fing aloudof thy righteoufnefs. Eph. 4. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are fealed unto the day of redempton. v. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking be put away from you, with all inalice. Pfalm 77. 1. I cried unto God with myvoice:even unto God with my voice,and he gave ear unto me. v. 2. In the day of my trouble I fought the Lord myfore ran in the night, and ceafed not: my foul refuted to be comforted. v. 3. I remembred God, and was troubled: I complained, and my fpirit was overwhelmed. Selah v. 4.Thou holdeftmine eyes waking; I am fo troubled, that I cannot fpeak. v. 5. I have confidered the days of old, the years of ancient times. v. 6. Icall to remembrance my fong in the night: I commune with mine own heart, and my fpirit madediligent fearch. v.7. Will the Lord caft off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? v. 8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promife fail for evermore? v. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in angerfhut uphis tendermercies? Selah v. 10. And I said, this ismyinfirmitie,but I willremember the years of the right hand of the muft High. Mat. 26. 57. Now Peter fat without in the palace; and a damfel came unto him, faying, Thou alfo was with Jefus of Galilee. v. 70. But he denied before them all, faying, I know not what thou fayest.". 71. Andwhen he was gone out into the poarch, another maid faw him,and faid unto them that were there, This fellow was alfo with Jefus of Nazareth. . 72. And again he denied. with an oath, 1 do not know the man. Pfal. 31. 22. For I faid in my halte, I am cut off from before thineeyes:neverthelessthouheardeft the voice of my fupplications when I cried untothee. (Pfal. S8, throughout. Ifa. 50. 10. Who i) among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his fer vant, |