888 Job. 8.17. Rom.8.38. · Job 19. 2). 1 J.oh. 3. 24• Book. IV .Part.V. -!-Doking unto 1efm• . Chap.2 .SeCl.4 words Chrift cited, and faid it u written i11 your Law tb4t the teflimony of two menu true; not but that it was certaine in it felfe before, but that NOW by the teftimony of two it is r'endred certaine unto thofe that queftion the fame ; this is wi(;- ~ffi~. . 2. In fpeci&l ; the witneffing oftbe Spirit is an office of the Spirit, whereby it works the foul into a .knowledge, perfwafion, or conclufion of it_s acceptation into favour witfi · God in Chrift. Now the Spirit witneffeth either objectively, or efficiently. · 1. Objectively ; when it only affords fuch :fpecial operations as have an aptitude to afcertatne the foul, but do. not afcertaine; tbui many a time the Spirit comes and brings in fuch, and fuch affertions or affirmations of our adoption, as if they were but duely obferved, might manifeft the fame ; but we over-look thefe evidences, we will not heare what the Spirit fpeaks to us; weJPeak_that we k.now (faith Chriil j 11nd teftifte thnt we have feen, butye receive not our :witnejfe: fo may the Spirit complaine, I have tefti(ied to you that which I lznow, I have [aid. ihat ye were chi!drm ofGoJ, bHt ye have not received my witnrffe; doubtleffe it ' is a finful neglect not to yeeld attention unto the voyce of the Spirit, and yet the Spirit in this way rna , be refiilc:d. · 2. Efficiently ; and tf the Spirit wirndfe t!Jvs, it cannot be re- ·" lifted; in this way the Spirit caufeth the foul to conclude of its adoption byitsfpeakings to it: this is not only the affcrtions or affirmations ofour adoption, but the affuranccs of our fouls that we are adopted. I am perfwaded faith the Apoftle; .tnd I k.now that my Redeemer liveth, faith rob. And herebJ ,WC _lznow I hilt he abidothin m, _by the Spirit which he hath given us. But2. How doth the Spirit thus witneffe? I anfwer, 1. Imme- , diately. 2. Mediately. , 1. Concerning the immediate teftimony of the Spirit there is fome contraverlie: Antinomians would have no ·ocher teftimony but this; all other evidences (fay they) are deceiving evidences; or if not deceiving, yet to make ufe of them it were but to light {1 candle t<;> the Sun ; for what are the grac~s of the Spirit in comparifon of the Spirits own teftimony? and it may be .che running into this extreame hath caufed others abfolutely to deny any fucb tdlimony ; or at leaft to fay, for the[e ethPijia{ms or i~- . · fPirations
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