that maketh a man forego children, lands, life, and suffer the spoiling of all joyfully: but so doth this. 3. That must be a sure and certain knowledge, and no fancy, upon which a man voluntarily and freely doth adventure his soul when he is stepping into eternity, with this word in mouth, "This is all my desire:" but such a knowledge is this.

And again, not only may a godly man come to the sure knowledge of his gracious state, but it is more easily attainable than many apprehend: for supposing, what shall be afterwards proved, that a man may know the gracious work of God's Spirit in himself; if he will but argue rationally from thence, he shall be forced to conclude his interest in Christ, unless he deny clear Scripture truths. I shall only make use of one here, because we are to speak more directly to this afterwards. A godly man may argue thus, Whosoever receive Christ are justly reputed the children of God: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God;" but I have received Christ in all the ways which the word there can import; for I am pleased with the device of salvation by Christ, I agree to the terms, I welcome the offer of Christ in: all his offices, as a King to rule over me, a Priest to offer sacrifice and intercede for me, a Prophet to teach me; I lay out my heart for him and towards him, resting on him as I am able.

What else can
Therefore may

be meant by the word RECEIVING? I say, and conclude plainly and warrantably, I am justly to reckon myself God's child according to the above-quoted Scripture which cannot fail.

The Second thing to be premised is, That a man be savingly in covenant with God is a matter of the highest importanceIt is his life." And yet very few have or seek after a saving interest in the covenant, and many foolishly think they have such a thing without any solid ground: Few find, or walk, in the narrow way"This should alarm people to be serious about the matter, since it is of so great consequence to be in Christ, and since there be but few that may lay just claim to him: and yet many do foolishly fancy an interest in him, who are deceived by a false confidence, as the foolish virgins

do.

The Third thing to be premised is, Men must resolve to be determined by Scripture in this matter of their interest in Christ. The Spirit speaking in the Scripture is Judge of all controversies: To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them;" and of this also, whether a man be savingly in covenant with God or not. Therefore do not mock God whilst you seem to search after such a thing. If we prove from Scripture, which is the uncontroverted rule, that you are gracious, and have made a covenant savingly with God, then resolve to grant so much, and to acquiesce in it: and if the contrary appear, let there be a determination of the controversy, else you do but mock the Lord, and so "your bands shall be made strong;" for "a jot of his word cannot fail." Therefore seek eye-salve from Christ to judge of things according as the word of God shall discover them to be.

SECT. II. Reasons why so few come to the clear Knowledge of their Interest in Christ. tr

Thow dorda toð „WEBY¶) £ bait arm odT **

1.

f

THE Fourth thing to be premised is, Although the matter of a man's interest in Christ be of so great importance, and the way to attain to the knowledge of ithso plainly held forth in the Scriptures, yet there bel but few who reach the distinct knowledge of it. And that this may not discourage any person from attempting it, Ihshall hint some few reasons why so bfew.come to the clear knowledge of it; which will also prepare the way for what is to be spoken afterwards! lliw ode treed won A “

A

The first thing which hinders many from the knowledge of their interest in Christ is their ignorance of some special principles of religion: las

1. That it was free love in God's bosom, and nothing in man, that moved him to send a Saviour to perfect the work of redemption "God so loved the world, that he dgave his only begotten Son." Men are still seeking some ground for that work in themselves, which leads them away from suitable and high apprehensions of the first spring and rise of God's covenant-favour to his people, which hath no reason, cause, or motive sin us and so they cannot come to the knowledge of their interest.omroot hr2. They are ignorant how that love effectually discovers itself to a man's heart,b sowas the hath ground to lay claim to it, namely, That ordinarily it, 1st, Discovers his fallen state himself, because of sin and corruption defiling the whole man, and any thing in him that might be called a righteousness: "All

T

1

these things are loss and dung." 2dly, It discovers Christ as the full and satisfying treasure above all things: "The man finds a treasure, for which with joy het selleth all"&c. Bdly,It determines the heart, and causeth it to approach unto a living God in the sordinances: Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts," and causeth the heart to wait upon him, and shimtalone. My soul, wait thous only upon God." Thus having dropped in the seed of God in the heart, and formed Christ there, the heart is changed and made new in the work: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." And God's law is so stamped upon the heart in that change, that the whole yoke of Christ is commended to the man without exception. The law is acknowledged "good, holy, just, and spiritual." Upont all which, from that new principle of life, there flow out acts of a new life "faith worketh by love;" and the man becomes aroservante of righteousness unto God," which doth especially appear in the spirituality of worshipgmen then serve God in spirit and truth and in the newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter;" and tenderness in all manner of conversation: the man then “ exerciseth himself how to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men." Now in this way doth the love of God discover itself unto man, and acteth on him, so as he hath ground of laying some good claim to it; that he may justly think that the love which sent a Saviour, had respect to such a man as hath

found these things made out to him.

Surely ignorance in this doth hinder many from the knowledge of their interest in Christ; for if a man know not how God worketh with a person, so that he may justly lay claim to his love, which was from eternity, he will wander in the dark, and not come to the knowledge of an interest in him.

3. Many are also ignorant of this, that God alone is the hope of his people: he is called the Hope of Israel." Although inherent qualifications are evidences of it, yet the staying of the heart upon him as a full blessing and satisfying portion is faith: "The faith and hope must be in God;" and the only proper condition which giveth right to the saving blessings of the covenant. "To him that worketh not, but believeth-faith is counted for righteousness." Indeed, if any person take liberty here, and turn grace into licentiousness, there is, without doubt, in so far, a delusion; since there "is mercy with him upon condition that it conciliate fear to him." Yea, hardly can any man who hath found the formermentioned expressions of God's love made out in him, make a cloak of the covenant for sinful liberty without some measure of a spiritual conflict: in this respect," he that is born of God doth not sin;" and, "he who doth so sin hath not seen God." I say, God is the hope of his people, and not their own holiness. If they intend honestly, and long seriously to be like unto him, many failings should not weaken their hope and confidence, for it is in him "who changeth not;"-" and if any man sin, he hath an advocate." Now, when men place their