15
The Saint's Duty In evil Times.
juſtly, not wronging any. Theſe are they who llve righteouſly, who walk ſo as Chriſt walked. O! how few righteous livers are among you, and theſe only are his people, righteous perſons, righteous livers, and it is theſe whom the Lord hath chambers for.
Now ſixthly, We proceed to the rules how to apply theſe evidences. Firſt, Tho' ye find them not all, yet if ye find one or moe of them really, then comfort yourſelves. Secondly, If ye find not what formerly ye have found, labour more to renew the ſame than to ſeek a light of the old. Thirdly, Do not try yourſelves in the hour of temptation. Fourthly, When ye find marks and evidences, do not reſt upon them, for tho' ye have them,
they may ſoon be gone. Fifthly, Do not purſue ſo much to ſatisfy your ſenſe for the preſent, as to have a ſolid and well grounded aſſurance for the Time to come.
Sixthly, Be not ſo deſirous to know what ye are, as what ye ſhould do. Spend not your time in queſtioning your ſtate, as ye do, but uſe the means of real union and communion with Chriſt: This is the ſhorteſt and
ſureſt way. Seventhly, Judge not yourſelves by the meaſure of your graces, but by the ſincerity of them. Eighthly, Compare not yourſelves too much to the ſaints, but judge yourſelves by the word.
Ninthly, When there is a ſerious wreſting againſt corruption, tho' not meeting with any ſenſible victory, yet caſt not away your hope. Paul tells you, Rom. vii. how far a child of God may be enſlaved by a body of ſin.
Tenthly, Remember ye have to do with God in a covenant of grace. Now, what more ſhall we ſay? We muſt end as we begun. O! come away, come away to Chriſt, this Prince of delights, come, and enter into theſe chambers. Motive. Firſt, Come away and enter, then your condition will be honourable with Chriſt. Secondly, Comfortable. All your debts are paid. Thirdly, Rieh. All that Chriſt hath, grace and goodneſs is all thine. Fourthly, Fruitful. He purgeth his branches. Fifthly, Safe. He takes all your quarrels upon him, your head will ay be
above the water. Sixthly, It is the only ſtate of perfection, which is in him, and derived to us. Seventhly, Then all the promiſes are yours. Eighthly, It is a ſure ſtate, in this life ye have ſtrength againſt temptations; my grace is ſufficient for you. Ninthly, In death, aſſurance. They that ſleep in Chriſt periſh
not. Tenthly, in the day of judgment, boldneſs: O come away, the chambers are every way pleaſant, and every way ſafe, come away, the indignation ſhall not overtake you.
The Lord is coming down with an universal deluge of wrath, upon the generality: Come away, and ye ſhall be hid. O I he is willing, he is willing, he would not have ſent this meſſage to you the day, if he had not been willing: And now, when ye are keeping a faſt day unto the Lord, who hath given you this call,
pray
