ON THE GLORY OP CHRIST. should not be accounted belívers already as well as they. I shall in a few words, as well as I am able, lay this stumbling-block out ofthe way, though I confess at this day, it is weighty and cumbersome. And i say, I. Among them that profess themselves to be believ- ers, there are many false, corrupt hypocrites; and it is no wonder, that on various occasions they lay the stum- bling-block of their iniquities before the face of others; but they shall bear their own burden asad judgment. 2. It is acknowledged, it must be bewailed, that some who havereason to Isejudgedtrue believers, yet, through their unmortified pride or covetousness, or carelessness in their conversation, or vain -attire, and conformity to the world, or frowardness, do give just occasion of of- fence. We confess that God is displeased herewith, Christ and the gospel dishonoured, and many that are weak are wounded and otherwise discouraged. But as for you, this is not your rule; this is not proposed unto you, but that word only is so that will never fail you. 39 S. The world doti, not know, nor is able to make a right judgment of believers; nor do you so, for it is the spiritual man alone that discerneth the things of God. Their infirmities are visible to all, their graces invisible; the King's daughter is glorious within.And when you are able to make a right judgment of them, you will desire no greater advancement than to beof their society, Psal. xvi. S. These few instancesof the pretences wherewith unbe- lief covers its deformity, and hides that destruction wherewith it is accompanied, may suffice unto our pre- sent purpose; they are multiplied in the minds of men, impregnated by the suggestions of Satan on their dark- ness and folly. A little spiritual wisdom will rend the veil off them all, and exposeunbelief acting in enmity a- gainst Christ under them. But what bath been spoken, may suffice to answer the necessityof thepreceding ex- hortation on this occasion. CHAPTER XVI. THE WAY AND MEANS OF THE RECOVERY OF SPIRITUAL DECAYS, AND OF OBTAINING FRESH SPRINGS OF GRACE. THE application of the same truth, in the second place, belongs unto believers, especially such as have made any long profession ofwalking in the ways of God and the gospel. And that which I design herein, is to manifest, that a steady spiritual view of the glory of Christ by faith, will give them a gracious revival from inward decays, and fresh springs of grace, even in their latter days. A truth this is, as we shall see confirmed by scripture, with the joyful experience of multitudes of believers, and is of great importance unto all that are so. There are two things, which those who after ,a long profession of the gospel are entering into the confines of eternity, do long for and desire. The one is, that all their breaches may be repaired, their decays recovered, their backslidings healed: for unto these things theyhave been lessor moreobnoxious in thecourse oftheir walking. beforeGod. The other is,that they may havefreshsprings of spiritual life, and vigorous actings ofall divine graces, in spiritual mindedness, holiness, and fruitfulness, unto Z thepraise of God, the honour of the gospel, and the in- crease of their own peace and joy. These things they value more than all the world, and all that is in it; a- bout these things are their thoughts and contrivances exercised night and day. Those with whom it is other- wise, whatever they pretend, are in the dark unto them- selves, and their own condition; for it is in the nature of this grace to grow and increase unto the end. As rivers, the nearer they come unto the ocean whether they tend, the more they increase their waters, and speed their streams; so will grace flow more freely and fully in its near approaches to the ocean of glory. That is not saving whichdoth not so. An experience hereof, I mean of the thriving of grace . towards the end of our course, is that alone which can support us under the troubles and temptations of life, which we have to conflict withal. So the apostle tells us, that this is our great relief in all our distresses and afflictions, for which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day 13
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