VBRS.2.I. An Expo.fition, with Notes I God could find matter of condemnation againfl: you, not only in theworft fins, but in thebeft duties: The mofi regenerate man dmfl: not adventure his Soul upon the heavenliefr thought that ever he conceived.When Nehemi~h had performedazealous action he fub– joyneth, Nehem.9.22. Remember me,my God,concerning this ~Jlfo, .andJPttre me according to the greatne{s 9Jtl.i] mercy; inti:nating, · that therein God might find enough to ruine him: So Paul, I Cor. 44· 1/znow'nothirJg by my[elf, yet am I not hereby juftified: He _ 1 knew no unfaichfulnefs. in his Miniftry, yet this would not make -him righteousb~fore God. So that~ the-prefence of the greatefi: ) Evidences, you £bould fee Free-Grace is the furefi Refuge: As 'le- ' hofhaphat,w.hen he had all the firengthof{udah,who are numbered to be five hundred thoufand, yet goeth to God, as if there were no • .. Chro!lO. I:t prefenceofmeans; * Wehavenomight, our eyes are unto thee. \ So in the fairefr train of gr~ces yol:' l.bould frill keep Chrifi in the eye - of faith, and let the Soul fray upon him : Or as in a pair of Com– paffes, one part is fixed in the cencer whilefr the other foot wander– eth about in the circumference : fo mull t_he Soul fray on Chrifr, be fixed on him,whilefr we fearch afcer Evidences and additional com– forts. 3· After the iffue and clofe of all,you mull che more ·earn~frly renew your addreffes eo Chrifi, and exercife fiteh with the more .advantage and cheerfulnefs: You have much more encouragement to dofe withhim,when you furveyed his boumy to your Souls,and I confidered chafe emamtions of grace, by which you are in:1bled eo good works. So 1 I oh. 5. q.Thefe things hn-ve I writttn to you ~hat .IJeheve, that you may /znow thatyou have ttern~t! life, P~nd that you \ riM) ke!ieve on him: His meaning is,th:n upon affurance they might renew the adof faith with the more cheerfulnefs : As Th@mas-, when he fdt Chrifts wounds, had the gre.ater rea[on to btlicve, · Joh.zo.27· Non no.vAftd aufla fide, as Eftinm glolfeih, by a re– newed and increafed faith.So when you have had a feeling and fenfe ofChrifis bounty to you, and by good works have clcareJ up your interefi in eternal life, you have the g.reatt~ reafon to cafr your fdves again upon Chrifr by faith and confidence: For as the Apol1le } faith, The Rightcoufmfs ofGodis teveJtledfrom faith tofaith,Rom. · I .17. The whole bufinefs ofour Jullification before God is carried ( on by a continual ad: of faith, from oneat\: and degree to.another : In fi1ort,what ever comfort we feek in our works and.graces, Chrifr ~ Cant. I. I !.. mufi fiill i< lie as lf:bundle of'myrrhe between our brcfls; be kept ~ clofe
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