{{float left|12}]
The Saint's Duty in Evil Times.
yourſelves; for ye may win this length, as to be convin-
ced, that it is good to come unto Chriſt and think ye have done it, being blinded by your pride, and may ſome way comfort yourſelves, as if ye had done it, in this your preſumptuous dream, and yet really never have done it: Never really, have been brought to deny your own Righteouſneſs, and to receive Chriſt, relying only upon him for attaing of life through his righteouſneſs and ſatisfaclion.
Twelfthly, Theſe come not unto Chriſt, who have only the common operation of the ſpirit, upon the affection within, and reſting there, concludes that all is well with them. We have already ſpoken of the danger of reſting upon apprehended ſorrow for ſin, ſo there may be much alſo of the flaſhes of joy, tenderneſs, and heart-meltings, which hypocrites may have at ſome times by another. Conſider theſe who were John's hearers, John v. 35. Who for a ſeaſon rejoyced in his light; o! be-
ware of goſpel hypocriſies, take not flaſhes for converſion. If it could be determined how great length hypocrites may come, we think it would fit here. O what ſhall we ſay of it! do what they will, and come as great a length as they can, they never come unto Chriſt, who are not fully denied to themſelves, and poſitively reſt only upon jeſus Chriſt, for juſtification and ſanc-tification. True faith hath two voices. Firſt, it calls and crys, O ſinner, lean not to thyſelf, reſt not there. Secondly, O ſinner, reſt on Jeſus Chriſt, and lean unto himſelf.
Uſe. Now, O believers, ſearch and try yourſelves, ſet about it earneſtly, this is your work, and it will not be done ſlumbering and ſleeping: There are many of you here the day, who are not come the length of ſome of theſe ſteps, which we have named: Yes, ye may come thro' them all every one, and if ye go not further, ye will never win to Chriſt: And in his name I tell you, except your righteouſneſs exceed the ſcribes and phariſees, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Ye know, we gave you ſome hints of theſe who are the Lord's people, viz. Theſe who have come unto Chriſt, and are made righteous, and live righteouſly: And for the more clearing of it, we now declare who theſe are, who have come unto him; by giving ſome marks and evidences how the ſame may be known. We are not now ſpeaking of being in Chriſt, as a creature by
creation, and preſervation, nor as a member externally, but as a member internally and effectually; but ye will ſay, How is that? Anſ. By the ſtrict union and communion betwixt Chriſt and the chriſtians, which is from the Strictneſs of the bond; viz his word and ſpirit on his part, and faith and love on their part. Now, we ſay, how will that be known? well, we will give you theſe marks; therefore try yourſelves. For,
Firſt,
