530 TxE FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT; OR DISC. Q. ;pentance, mortification of sin, weanedness from the. world, 'likeness to God, heavenly mindedness, &c. These are, indeed, the usual'preparatives for glory, and the surest evidences of a state of grace. Therefore, let not any person imagine he is not a true christian, because -he bath not enjoyed these special favours, and signal manifestations. Caution II.. " If there be any who have been favoured with these peculiar blessings, they must not expect them to be constantand perpetual, nor always to be given in the same manner, or same measure ;" they are rare blessings and special .reviving cordials ; they are not the common food ofehristians, nor the daily nourishment of the saints. .The word of God, and the grace of Christ in the pro- mises, is our daily support, and the constant nourish- ment of our souls. Cordials are not given for our daily ,nourishment in the life of grace. Caution III. " however great and rapturous these foretastes may. be, let us not so depend on them as to ne- glect the more substantial and solid evidences for heaven, and those steps for preparation," which I have elsewhere mentioned. Let not those who have enjoyed them, give .a loose to their souls, and let go their watchfulness, or neglect their daily mortification and diligence in every duty. Some of these divine raptures have sometimes been so nearly counterfeited by raptures of fancy, by warm self-love, or, perhaps by the deceit of evil angels, that they are not so safe a foundation, for our depend- .ence and assured hope, as the soul's experience of a sincere repentance, and general turn of 'heart to God, .and mártifieation.of sin, axd delight in every practice of holiness. The devil.sometimes 'has. " transformed hiin- self into an angel of light," 2 Cor. xi. 14. And there have been some who at first hearing of the gospel have had wondrous raptures. Heb. vi. 5. It is said, `they have tasted of the world to come, " - -who have yet fallen away again, and haying lost all their senseand savour of divine things, have become'vile apostates. Caution IV. Ifyou seem to enjoy. anyof these affec- tionate and rapturous foretastes of heaven, be jealous of the truthof theìn, if they have nót,a proportionable sanc- (tifying influence upon your souls and our actions." If yen find they incline you to negligence in duty, to
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