True Signs ofGrace. 3 abide it. The Pharifees,theycommended thePrpphrts that lived before them; but Chrilt,and thole thatlived atthat time whoreproved them for their fins , they could not abide. Therefore it is a good ruleof the Ancienr,wben,faith he,you hear ammo commending theft ancient doffori that went before :fee how he is affeied tohis prefent Teachers. Thatoppofition whichwickedmen Phew to thofe prefent men alive that difcover God to them, they would do to Peterand Paul; to Auflinand Chey¡offom, ifthey were alive. But when a thing is general, or afaroff, it doth not move at all : particular prefent things,dodifcover what menare,and a fincere heart loveeh thofe belt. 3. eAfincere heart loveth a Godly reproof, and thofe thatgive it. See it inDavid; Let the righteous finiteme, andit Thalbe better then eyl: Whereasa man of a false and Hypocritical heart, tie rageth and fayeth in the face ofthole that reprovehim, though it bedone with all prudence and compaf ion. Therefore cry how thou cams bear a reproof. Doth it work Humilitie, Lovt,Reformation in thee? this is good. To all this which bathbeen delivered, this caution mutt be remembred, which holdethallo inall other frges. We mutt not expefta pandas' perfeeìon herein foreven chofe whoare truely fan hifed , have yet difcovered much falfhood and hypocrifie. Take David foran inflame in that grols guilfull way of the Mather of Vriah t could he then fay, Examine mee, prove me? Was not there drofs e- nough to be found in him ? Therefore though David defired fuch an inward fearching ofhim, yet that hehad no confidence inhiinfeif , appeareth lay that u. niverfal principle he layethdowe inanother place : If time (O Lord) deflri£t to markwhat is dont amifi , nofefbAna beinflified in thyfight. Thus Afa, ehcugh he wasa godly man , yet when reproved bythe Prophet for his fin,how did corral). Lion (titre within him, infomach thathe threw the good Prophet into prifon for doing his duty t Ute ofExaminationa Here is a touchilone and trial for your felves. Is there love ofthe Light, or fear of the Light r are you afraidof theword ofGod , a foul. fearching Minittrie, dole and particular applications ? then fufpeâall is not found within thee.Bat ifthou rejoicettin that thy lores aredifcovered,thon art glad when thy Hypocrifie is made known to thy fell, and thou crielt out, More Light, Lord, more fearchingofmy inwardman, here is a good comfortable tign. HenceDavid, `Pfal, rg. when he had (aid, who can under/land hie Errera ? he prayeth , Cleanfe mefromfecretfins. Dona thou fo ? Lord I fear much fecret, and unknown cor- ruptionin me: I know nothow bad I am ; a great deal offilthinefs lieth undifco- vered inme; Oh let me be triedand proved by thee. Ma Snanror
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