V f e 3· Ufe 4· The Parable of tbe Ten Pirginr, (ems , as )'Ye ll ,\s graces, to mercy, ro live there, and cleave rhere, as in the Prodi¥,JI , he did nor only fee a \Yant , bur feel a_need_of bread; I die without ir, Pfjt.40 -9,I \!. ~ut anorh~r that feesno good, euhens not dnven ou~ of his conrents, bur when he fees nothing, as Cain, builds Cities,or if he fee's fome oood in himfe lf, then he is not driven out of hiinfelf. "' SECT. V. HEnce fee which is the fure!l and fafelt way of evidencing our oood eltare, for he re men now are perplexed, either 'cis by feeinz no grace~ and fo ex~ petting the wirnefs .of the Spirit, or by feeing !o_me faving work of grace, and fo looking to the vvunefs of rhe Word, andwamngfo tthe confi rmation ofrhe Spirit; for feats 9o bur con~rm rhe Promife_and Cove';lant; if !t be by_ feeing nagr~e,- then euher by feewo no~race, wuhout havmg the bemg of 1r, and nowwait fo r a revelarion,and then 'ns a delufion, for he is under the condemnation of r_he Word,~nd rherefo_re far ~rom confolarion of rhe Spirir;or by feeing no grace w1th0ut feemg the bemg of u : If fo, then a man mult feek for a witnefs of rh~ Spirit, without under!landing rhe meaning of the Spirit, or of the wirnefs of it ; and fo a man mult iliut his eyes againlt part of rhe rrurh, that he may fee another part > a man mull fee that he is beloved, but not thou believer, or rhou called, art loved or jutlified. Oh then take heed of rhisway of evidence; or elfe by now feeing grace, and waiting for a wirnefs; riow rhis is fafelt; for when ever the witnefs comes it is certainly right now, not a delufion : Hereby w~ fhall fee the full meaning of the witnefs and compafs of the Lords love. And rherefore take heed of denying all grace, and feeing nothing, and then wait for a Revelation, and if it comes now 'tis right ; no fuch matter; you may fee norhing, and to hell, and no confolation to them that fee nothing; think not chat this is poverty ; it may be afeal to ablank, to fuch a one as the Lord never intended mercy unto; that which God promifeth pray for, Z~tch. q.Hit. firll, to fay It. is my people, and then the Lord is my God; find that the Lord makes you his people, and then fay fo. Let all kpow this is never queflioned, whether the Spirit be the caufe of wirnefs, and clearing our e- · !late; but whether by feeing nothing, or iliewing fomethinp; here's the myflery of it : Oh that God would make you hear, that are callea away from the fimplitity of the Gofpel of Chrilt : Thefefooliili Virgins were Wifer than many nowadays in this particular, they cried for oyl in their lamps, or they knew they could not be accepted of the Bridegroom. . Oh fearch and try your felves throughly, for ygu may come in rime to feeall your paint fall off, all yourguilt difcovered, &c: CHAP.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=