Chap. 21. and the Covenant of Grace. i outward ad of adminiftration ( which is, worthily fet out by the moft undervaluing termes , when it is put in oppofition to the, inward work) but the anfi er of a good confcience towards God. Ba- ptifine is a feale of the Covenant and it engages to what the Covenant requires, which, as we have been Rill catechized , is to beleevein jod,and to forfake our fins; and whencontience anfwers that this is done , Baptifme is a feale that Chrift faves. The leale of the Spirit is an impreffe of thofe graces, and the witneffe of the Spirit is a clearing up of thefe graces and giving in teftimony to the truth of them ; opening our eyes to read the charaders, which it felf bath made, r. Car. 2. 12. We have not received the fpiYit of the world, but the .i¡ irit which is of God, that we might knot' the things that are freelj given to us ofGod So that in vaine do men talk of the Spirit, that have not on their own hearts the impreffe of it, or of the witnefl'e of the Spirit, when a renewed confcience cannot concurre, that thefe engagements are anfwerd in faith and repentance ; let that Text of the Apoftle be confidered, i ?ob. 3.'24. He that keepeth his commandments, dzvelleth in him , and he in him; and hereby we iknory that he abideth in ue,hy the Spirit which he bath given us. I know there are fomè that admit of all this, and freely yield that this is a fafe way to conclude Affurance from Sandification, confeffing that the Spirt never witnefleth with an unfanchfied heart; yet 'they contend for a farther and im- inediate retie of the Spirit, without any confideration had of inherent graces wrought, or any reflexion made by the foul up- on it felf, in review of any gracious qualifications. Yet here they confeffe danger, and limit this doefrine of theirs with diverfe cautions as I have met with Lome from an eminent hand in a manufcript. r. This is the ordinary (as they fay) very feldome feen or known, it is no common way of the Spirits witnejf e. 2. It is for the moft part in, or upon performance of fome duties, or confcientious employment of a mans feafe in the way ofhis calling. 3. After fame great abafement of amans f1'irit , and more then or- dinary foulhumil ations and felt denialls. 4. lifter fome great adventures made for God, and tlfe advancement of his name. 5. After Tome great combate, and confli l with temptation in X which i 3 The in ediate teile of the Spirits exami- ned.
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