is no means ofDefpair. and inciting he fohelpeth them todo, that it is ónely the voluntary perverfeneffe and ílubbornneffe of their own wills refitting the word and the Spirit which hindreth them from doing thofe things which they ihould. It is true, that God can make any hard and refilling heart a loft and obedient heart ; and he doth it where he hath an eternall purpofe out offpeciall mercy fo to do : And it is as true, that Godmay juftly leave a ftubbornheart tohis own refiftency and perverfenetfe;and this he dothwherehe bath purpofed in juflice fo todo. Deus mï- (eretur cujus vult, & quern volt indurat. If you long to be affured of this fecret meaningor purpofe of God towards you in particular before you refolve uponyour re- pentance,' can affure you that it is the devil who bath flirred up in you a longingafter a thing impoffible, that fo he may procure your deflrution. Strive therefore tobring this fooliíh and wicked fanfie out of your mind, and to judge ofthe meaningof God, which belongethuntoyou, according tohis word revealed untoyou, leaving his fecret andunfearchablewill untohimfelf. By this which hathbeen lhewed,we may fee that it is impoffible to comfort a defpe- rate wretch, who will not be comforted unle%he may firfl bealluredofthat where- ofnomortali man can pofïibly arum himq For 477
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