S a c T. VIII. The Godly are Warnedand SanLlified. ;97 t SÉRMON LXV, Comfortable Diredions to poor poubting Chrifti. ans. aCoR.6.xi. But ye are saarhtrfied,&c. IShall conclude the workof grace at this time expreffed in the Text, under the notion of Sanftification, and that (Iasi be by handling forre praftical cafes which may jully bepropounded by a godly fanftified bear, for1feeing this is theevidence of our eleltion, and jullification. No marvail, if the foul mayhave doubts tobe informed about therein. And, Firft, It may bedemanded Why, if I perceive thofe common gifts and abilities which conicfrom theholy Ghoft in me; I may not thence conclude theSpirit of Whether frórt fanftification inme? There were in the Primitive times extraordinary giftsvouch- common gifts fafed by the Holy Ghofl, according to the promifeof old, Teel 2. Now allthele of the Spirit were from thefame fpirit, as theApollle witnefleth, 5 Cor. 1x.4. And although a man májnor tholeextraordinary worksof the Holy Ghoft now ceafe, yet there are many gifts conclude grace (tilldilpenfed unto men, that cannotbe called the worksof the Oa, but the gifts to be in him, of Gods Spirit; filch as believing fora feafon, joy in the word preached : illumi- nationof mind, tatting experimentallythe fenfeofGodisword, in which the A. poftle faith, VI rocpartakers ofthe Holy Ghoft, Heb. 6. May we not then, where we feel- theft things inour feines, or fee themin others, conclude there is the work of fanaification? To this in the firft place I Anfwer, Thatamong'? men, who judge byoutwardRP- parlance, and cannot try the hearts andreins, Which to Gods Soveraignty, theft things He may not; are much admired, andreceived for Santlification. Hence if we fee a man have good utterance and gifts inprayer, with affeltionate inlargements; if he fpeak of Tome joy and fweetneffe he hash in the Ordinances ; ifhe can confer and difpute with fome illuminationof mind and underflanding in religious things ; we areapt to take allthat gullets thus, forgold: and becaufe others doe put filchan eftcenr upon them; therefore they that have fachgifts do eafilyperfwade themfelvesthat they are fanétified alto. But thefe gifts of Gods Spirit are not fanftification. A manmay haveall thofe enumerated excellencies, and yet be an unregenerated man. For, Fir(t, Tots havemany inffancesof thofewho have had there gifts, and jet notrne members of Chri(i. As thofe Hebrews 6. which theApo(tle (peaks of and there- Reifoe. x. fore though the Apofile had reckoned "up thofe great things; yet he faith, 1 hope better things ofyou, and things that accompany falvation. In this number was lodge, thefoolilh Virgins, the thirdkind of hearers, fuchare compared to Swine wafhed ; thoughwalhed, yet Swine Rill, Oh then think it not Poch a matter, if becaufeof parts and abilities inprayer, difcourfe andconferencrinReligion, thou at eminently admiredby others; for thefe are no fore figne of San@ification. Here rna.j
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