Lord had left us in the dark in that matter, we were less inexcusable; but since the grounds of satisfaction, and the true marks of an interest in Christ, are so clear and frequent in Scripture, and so "many things written, that our joy may be full," 1 John i. 14. and "that those who believe may know that they have eternal life, 1 John v. 13. ; and since "he that believeth hath a witness of it in himself," 1 John v. 10. none can pretend excuse here. We may not here insist to show what may and should satisfy concerning our interest, since we are to speak directly to it afterwards.

The fifth thing that helpeth much to keep men in the dark concerning their interest in Christ is, they pitch upon some mutual grounds, which are not so opposite proofs of the truth of an interest in Christ as of the comfortable state of a triumphing soul sailing before the wind; and marks, which I grant are precious in themselves, and do make out an interest clearly where they are; yet they are such as without which an interest in Christ may be, and be known also in a good measure. We shall

touch a few of them.

1st. Some think that all who have a true interest in him are above the prevailing power of every sin but this is contrary to that of Psal. lxv. 3. Iniquities prevail against me; 'as for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away' where we find that holy man laying just claim to pardon, in the cause of prevailing iniquity; and that of Rom. vii. 23, 24, 25. where 'Paul thanketh God through Christ, as free from the condemnation of "the law, even whilst

a law in his members "leadeth captive unto sin."

2dly. Some think that all true saints have constantly access unto God in prayer, and sensible returns of prayer at all times: but this is contrary to the many sad exercices of his people, complaining often that they are not heard nor regarded of God, Psal. xiii. 1. "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" Psal. xxii. 1, 2. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent."

3dly. Some think that all who have any true interest in him have God witnessing the same unto them by a high operation of that witnessing spirit of his, spoken of Rom. viii. 16. "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God;" whereof afterwards: and so they still suspect their own interest in Christ, because of the want of this. But they do not remember that they must first believe and give credit to that "record which God hath given of the Son, that there is life enough in him" for men, 1 John v. 10, 11. and then look for the seal and witness of the spirit; Eph. i. 13. "In whom, after ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise," &c. As long as people hold fast these principles, and the like, they can hardly come to the knowledge of their gracious state, which God hath warranted people to prove and clear up to themselves, otherwise than by these foresaid things.

SECT. 3. Some mistakes concerning an Interest in Christ removed.

THE fifth thing to be premised is, the removal of some mistakes whereinto people may readily run themselves, when we are about to prove their interest in Christ.

As, 1st. It is a mistake to think that every one who is in Christ doth know that he is in him; for many are truly gracious, and have a good title to eternal life, who do not know so much, until it be made out afterwards; 1 John v. 13. "These things are written to believers, that they may know they have a true title to eternal life;" that is, that they may know they are believers, and so it is supposed they knew it not before.

2dly. It is a mistake to think that all who come to the knowledge of their interest in Christ do attain an equal certainty about the same. One may say, "He is persuaded nothing present or to come, can separate him from the love of God," Rom. viii. 38. another cometh but this length, "I believe, help my unbelief," Mark ix. 24.

3dly. It is a mistake to think that every one who attaineth a strong persuasion of his interest doth always hold there; for he who to-day may say of the Lord, "He is his refuge," Psal. xci. 2. and "his portion," Psal. cxix. 57. will at another time say," He is cut off," Psal. xxxi. 22. and will ask, "if the truth of God's promise doth fail for ever more?" Psal. lxxvii. 7, 8, 9.

4thly. It is also a mistake to think that every one who doth attain a good knowledge of their gracious state can formally answer all objections

made to the contrary; but yet they may hold fast the conclusion, and say, "I know whom I have believed ;" 2 Tim. i. 12. There be few grounds of the Christian religion, whereof many people are so persuaded, as that they are able to maintain them formally against all arguments brought to the contrary; and yet they may and will hold the conclusion steadfastly and justly: so it is in this case in hand.

5thly. It is no less a mistake to imagine, that

the vain groundless confidence, wmagine, that

many pro. fane ignorant Atheists do maintain, is this knowledge of an interest in Christ which we plead for. Many do falsely avow him " to be their father," John viii. 41. and many look for heaven who will be beguiled with those "foolish virgins," Matth. xxv. 12.: yet we must not think, because of this, that all knowledge of an interest is a delusion and fancy, although these fools be deceived; for whilst thousands are deluded, some can say on good and solid grounds, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness," 1 John v. 19.

CHAP. II.

SECT. 1. The ways by which the Lord draweth some to Christ, without a sensible preparatory Law-work.

HAVING premised these things, it now followeth that we give sorae marks by which a man may know if he be savingly in covenant with God, and hath a special interest in Christ, so as he may warrantably lay claim to God's favour and salvation. We shall only pitch upon two

H

great and principal marks, not willing to trouble people with many.

But before we fall upon these, we will speak of a preparatory work of the law, whereof the Lord doth ordinarily make use, to prepare his own way in men's souls. This may have its own weight, as a mark, with some persons. It is called the work of the law, or the work of humiliation. It hath some proportion to that "spirit of bondage," Rom.viii. 15. and doth now under the New Testament answer unto it, and usually leadeth on to the "spirit of adoption.":,

Only, here let it be remembered, 1. That we are not to speak of this preparatory work of the law, as a negative mark of a true interest in Christ, as if none might lay claim to God's favour who has not had this preparatory work, in the several steps of it, as we are to speak of it; for, as we shall hear, the Lord doth not always keep that path with men. 2. The great reason why we speak of it is, because the Lord dealeth with many, whom he doth effectually call, by some such preparatory work: and to those who have been so dealt with, it may prove strengthening, and will confirm them in laying the more weight on the marks which follow. 3. It may help to encourage others who are under such bondage of spirit, as a good prognostic of a gracious work to follow; for as we shall circumstantiate it, it will be rarely found to miscarry and fail of a gracious issue. 4. Where God useth such a preparatory work, he doth not keep one way or measure in it, as we shall hear.