Serm. i z. to difcern their Spiritual condition 307 Moral habits are acquired and flrengthned by frequently repeatedAdts, and more eaÑly difcerned. The fire lying raked under the Afhes, is not fo eaaly found, as when it being blown up , breaketh forth into a' fl me. He that hash ilrong love to God, will fooner feel it ; and the more frequent it moveth, and is upon the wing, after God, the fooner dolt thou know that thou lovefl him. The being of a thing is proved by its operation. Operari.fupponit effe. 5. DireElion. 5. Be well acquainted and informed in the nature of the Covenant of Grace,and the conditions thereof. Whatfoever are thy doubts, there ìs fomerhing in the Covenant of Grace that would be ground of fatisfa- dtion to thee ; is it thine own unworchinefs ? here rich and free Grace is laid open ; is is thy long delay of comingin to God, that now thou thinkell it is too late ? the Gofpel will tell thee,that Chrifl will not call thee off, if now thou come unto him ; is it thy ragged,torn,imperfedt o- bedience ? the covenant of Grace accepts of fincerity, though there be many infirmicies,the intention of the heart for the work of the hand,the purpofe for the performance, where the fincere foul cannot do fo much as he doch really defire to do. 6. Direflion. 6. Prue the focietyof the people of God, that are acquainted with the 'workings of Gods fp-rst upon their hearts. Be much in communion with the Saints. Wnen they have been unfolding their doubts, they have been in foche good meafure refolved this bath quickned their hearts when they have been dull , and blown up the fparks of love in their fouls to God, that they have felt their hearts to burn within them(s) , Lake 24. ;z with love towards God. Pfalm 66.16. 7. Diret1ion. Mal.3.I6. 7. Keep a record of all the experiences thou haft h 9d of Gods goolefs to thee,and what thou haft formerly found(t) make it a means for the fupporting t Pf.77.I 0,I I'd of thy foul for the prefent, and the future. Such a rime thou canll remem- ber thou wall upon thy knees be,noining thy felt, loathing thy felf, full of forrow and complaints,^nd God took thee up in the arms of his love, and fpake like a friend. words of peace and comfort to thy foul,and bid thee be of good chear,he was reconciled ro thy foul ; he filled thee full of forroN,and afterward filled thee full of joy ; he call thee down, and railed thee up ; he broke thy heart and bound it up ; he came to thee,as to Mary,expoflurating with thee,finncr,why weepefl thou ?rwhat ailet; thee? thou weepetl for thy Saviour, and he was by thee, and lh.evr-e.1 hi;nfelf unto Ghee., Sc)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=