22 A Box of precious- Ointment : Or, Eph.z. 13. Corn on Gen. cap. 38. the cleaving of the foul unto thofe blefled truths declared in the Gcfpel of grace, is the moll fure,_ ready and com- pendious way of obtaining a bleffed affurance, and a full eflablifhment of heart, in all found, folid and abiding joy and peace ; and therefore Lather, though (as he confelleth) he was often tempted to ask for Signs, Apparitions and Reve- lations from heaven to confirm him in his-way, yet tells us how ftrongly he did withii and them, Patlam reci cum Domino Deo meo,&c. I have (faith he) indented with the Lord my God, that he would never fend me Dreams, Vificiv, Angels, for I am well contented with this gift, that I have the holy Scripture, which cloth abundantly teach and fupply all ne- ceflaries for this life, and that alfo which is to come. Cer tainly, Apftin hit the mark, when he prayed, Lord, let thy holy Scriptures be my pure delights, in whicfrl can neither deceive, or ever be deceived. Certainly the ballance of the fanauary fhould weigh all the Oracles of God , decide all, and the Rule of Gods Word be the fquare and judge of all. 0 Sirs, dare you venture your fouls upon it, that the bleffed Scriptures are falfe, that they are but a Fable ? dare you !land forth, and fay, if the Scriptures be not a lye, let us be damned for ever and ever ? dare you nand up and fay, we are freely contented that the everlafling worm shall gnaw on our hearts for ever, and that our bodies and fouls Mall for ever and ever lye burning in infernal flames, if the Scriptures prove not at fait a cheat, a deceit, a meer forgry and irripollure? Now, if you dare not thus to fay, and thus to venture, then peremptorily refolve to be determined by Scripture, in the great concealments of your precious fouls. They fat would take their parts in promifed comforts, they mutt follovv'the voice of the Word, and fubfcribe to the fen- 1 tenoe oe confcience, following that Word. If the Word' approve of thee, as found and fincere with God, affuredly thou art fo, for that rule cannot err : If the Word faith,that thy heart is right with God, thou muff maintain that Tefti-- mony againft all difputes whatever. Never enter into dif- pute vvith Satan, or thine on felf, about thy eflate, hut by taking and making the Scripture the judge of the contro. verfie
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