Ihén Sachan encortntcrs thefervants ofChrifl. ' 303 Oh, but a Chriftian is to examine and try himfelfe, whether he be inriched with the graces of the Spirit, or no ? True it is, that the examination of our hearts is a ncceffary duty, but to be done in due order, foas we be ftirred unto, not driven from the praftife ofotherdu- ties no left needful' : But when the foule is dillempered with the arraults ofSatha; ,and unable to judgeofits own flare, it ib ur,feafonable to make fearch into our hearts,and prepofterous to giveplace to doubtings, becaufe wecan- not find what we delire.W ehave acommandement tobe- lieve, as well as to prove our felves ; both which muff be coupled toge her, otherwife neither can be done as they ought : and it is aplaine cafe, thathewho findes himfelfe tobe poore andnaked, is called to come unto Chrift, that he might receive of his fulneffe, be inriched with his plenty. If thou canft not find in thy felfe what thou fee- keft after, come unto Jefus Chrift,and believe in him that thou mayeCt receivewhat thou feekeft, and is tobe found inhim. Thirdly, The diftreffed fcule muff learne,'that the grace ofGod worketh not alwaies alike inhis children. W hen wewalke in the fields inwinter, we fee not only no good fruit, but not fo much as a leafe on the trees, in force alfo the very trunke or flockeappeareth tobe dead : yet is the fap hidden in the root, which in due time will fhew that the treewas never dead. When fire is raked up, thereáp- peareth oftentimes a fort ofcold dead afhes, when there are underneath certaine fparkes, ofwhich you may after . ward make a fire. Yea, many times the fruits ofgrace may Thine in the converfation to the eyes ofothers, when thepower and (linings ofgrace inwardly, being hindred with temptations, cannot be felt. Fourthly, The Iong and manifold temptations ofSa than,wherewithhe feckes to throw Chriftians head-long into defpaire, is to thema teftimonyofthe inhabitation ofthe Spirit in their hearts. For the power and ftrength whereby thofeafl'aults are repelled, isit not ofGod ? The un ,. 4
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