Chap, O. An Expofrtion upon the Boot¿ ,of j O B. Verf. 7. 479 law ab(iraEfcd from ends and fruits. When it is meat and drink to us to do the will of God, though we fuffia hunger, and are ready to fiarve in doing it, here is godlinefs at the higheíl and when any delight in fin as fin, as contrary to the will of God, obflracted from cods and fruits, here is wickednefs at the higheff. To aft in fetch a degree of fin, is incontinent with any degree of grace. a, Job appeals to the Teftimony of God, that he had not finned in any of thefe degrees, while he faith, Thou ktotvejt that j ant not wicked. Ob(erve, Fifthly, AGodly man m ty ktoty tb.tt be it fo, and be confident of it. He that faith, God knoweth he is not wicked, knoweth it himfelf. For though the Lord hath a knowledge of us beyond ours, though he know us better then we know our [-elves, yet no man can tell the Lord, Thou knot-veil that I ant not rrick,ed, but he who knows that he 'is not.The excellency of our condition confab in being godly,the comfort of it confìfis in knowing that we are godly. When David offers himfeif to the trial ( P(at.. 139 aa.) Search sage, O Lord, and fie if the e be any way of mickednef.r in me; He (peaks not as doubting. whether he were wicked or no, but as being affured that he was not. As ifhe had find, There are many weakneffes in me I know, but I know not of av,y wickednefs. Fle that offers himfelf to Gods fearch for his wickednefs; gives a flrong argument of his own upright- nefs. The bell of the Saints may be at a lofs fometimes for their aftinances,and not know they are good. They may Eland force- times hovering between Heaven and Earth, yea between heaven and hell, as uncertain to which they (hall be accounted. Yet many of the Saints are fully perfwaded they, are Saints, and fee with Chrift in Heavenly places,while they are wandring hereup an the earth. A godly man mayknow this two wayes First, By the workings of grace in his heart. Secondly, By the teftimony of the Spirit with his heart; Firtl, By the workings of grace in his heart (r yob. 2. 3.). Hire. ty the know that we know him , if the keep his Command. menu: and(Chap.3:. 14.) VVe knowthat we are pairedfrómdcath to life, becaufe we love the brethren. Theremay be Inch workings ofgrace in the heart,as may amount to anevidence ofgrace.VVbat enr being it, is difeernable in our workings. The word is,as clear as light, ITN
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