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are precious in themselves, and do make out an interest clearly where they are; yet they are such as without which an interest in Christ may be, and be known also in a good measure. We shall touch on

a few of them.

1st, Some think that all who have a true interest in him are above the prevailing power of every sin: but this is contrary to that of the Psalmist: "Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away:" where we find that holy man laying just claim to pardon, in the case of prevailing iniquity; and that of Paul, where he thanketh God through Christ, as freed from the condemnation of the law, even while a law in his members leadeth captive unto sin.

2nd, Some think that all true saints have constantly access unto God in prayer, and sensible returns of prayer at all times: but this is contrary to the many sad experiences of his people, complaining often that they are not heard nor regarded of God: "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent."

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3rd, Some think that all who have any true interest in him have God witnessing it unto them, by a high operation of that witnessing Spirit of his, spoken of: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God:"

whereof afterwards: and so they still suspect their own interest in Christ, because of the want of this. But they do not remember that they must first believe and give credit to that "record which God hath given of his Son, that there is life enough in him" for men; and then look for the seal and witness of the Spirit: "In whom, after ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," &c. As long as people hold fast these principles, and the like, they can hardly come to the knowledge of their gracious state, which God hath warranted people to prove and clear up to themselves, otherways than by these foresaid things.

SECT. III. Some Mistakes concerning an Interest in Christ removed.

THE Fifth thing to be premised is, The removal of some mistakes into which people may readily run themselves, when they are about to prove their interest in Christ.

As, 1. It is a mistake to think that every one who is in Christ doth know that he is in him; for many are truly gracious, and have a good title to eternal life, who do not know so much, until it be made out afterwards: "These things are written to believers, that they may know they have a true title to eternal life;" that is, that they may know they are believers, and so it is supposed they knew it not before.

2. It is a mistake to think that all who come to

"He is

the knowledge of their interest in Christ do attain an equal certainty about it. One may say, persuaded nothing present, or to come, can separate him from the love of God;" another cometh but this length, "I believe, help my unbelief."

3. It is a mistake to think that every one who attains a strong persuasion of his interest doth always hold there; for he who to-day may say of the Lord, "He is his refuge," and "his portion," will at another time say, "He is cut off," and will ask, "If the truth of God's promise doth fail for evermore ?"

4. It is also a mistake to think that every one who attains a good knowledge of their gracious state, can formally answer all objections made to the contrary; but yet they may hold fast the conclusion, and say, I "know whom I have believed." There are few grounds of the Christian religion, of which many people are so persuaded, as that they are able to maintain them formally against all arguments brought to the contrary; and yet they may and will hold the conclusion steadfastly and justly: so it is in this case in hand.

5. It is no less a mistake to imagine, that the vain groundless confidence, which many profane ignorant Atheists maintain, is this knowledge of an interest in Christ which we plead for. Many do falsely avow him "to be their Father;" and many look for heaven who will be beguiled with the "foolish virgins." Yet we must not think, because of this, that all knowledge of an interest is

a delusion and fancy, although these fools be deceived; for, whilst thousands are deluded, some can say on good and solid grounds, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness."

CHAP. II.

SECT. I. The Ways by which the Lord draweth some to Christ, without a sensible preparatory work of the Law.

HAVING premised these things, it now follows that we give some marks by which a man may know if he be savingly in covenant with God, and hath a special interest in Christ, so that he may warrantably lay claim to God's favour and salvation. shall only pitch upon two great and principal marks, not willing to trouble people with many.

We

But before we begin to these, we will speak of a preparatory work of the law, of which the Lord doth generally make use, to prepare his own way in men's souls. This may have its own weight, as a mark, with some persons. It is called the Work of the Law, or, the Work of Humiliation. hath some relation to that "spirit of bondage," and now under the New Testament answers to it, and usually leads on to the "Spirit of adoption."

It

Only, here, let it be remembered, 1. That we are not to speak of this preparatory work of the law as a negative mark of a true interest in Christ, as if none might lay claim to God's favour who have not had this preparatory work, in the several steps, as we are to speak of it; for, as we shall see, the Lord doth not always take that with men. The great reason why we speak of it is, because the

way

2.

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