Of the sin against the Holy Ghost, and a twofold mis- carriage about it in censuring. . . . 425, 426
IV. What course we should take to prevent grieving the
Spirit, in divers rules. .... 420
CONTENTS.
1'aue
[1.] Give 3'ourself up to the government of it, . . 426 [2.] Subject constantly to the Spirit's motions ; they are
known from other motions. . . . 426
(1.) By a special strength in them, by which they are
raised to higher ends. .... 427
(2.^ By their constancy. .... 427
(3.) They proceed from a changed heart. . . 427
(4.) They are seasonable. .... 427
(5.) A self-evidence in them. . . . 427
(6.) Orderly, in respect of both tables of the law. . 427 (7.) Dependent upon God. . . . .427
[3.1 Join and co-operate with the Spirit.. . . 427
[4.] Turn motions into resolutions, and resolutions into
practice. ...... 428
[5. J Depend on ordinances, and get a heart suitable to
them. ...... 428
[6.] Observe the Spirit's first withdrawing, and search the
cause. ...... 429
[7.] Take heed of such sins as we term little ones, and
look upon all sin in the rise and root of it. . 429 [8.] Get spiritual wisdom, to know what is pleasing and
displeasing to the Spirit. . . . 430
[9.] Upon breaches, renew repentance. . . . 430
[10.] Avoid corrupt communication. . . . 430
Whereby you are sealed. § 2. Of the sealing of the Spirit :
1. Christ is sealed. ..... 433
2. So are Christians. ..... 433
I. What this sealing is, and how it is wrought. . . 433
II. The privileges of it. A seal serveth for —
1. Confirmation. ..... 434
2. Distinction. ..... 434
3. Appropriation. ..... 436
4. Estimation. ..... 436
5. Secrecy. ...... 437
6. Security. ...... 437
III. Degrees of sealing.
1. The work of faith. ..... 437
2. Sanctification, yet not without a new act of the Spirit :
the reasons. ..... 437
3. Joy, which hath its degrees also, being from the Spirit. 439 Of the three witnesses on earth, their order. . . 439 Of the witness of the Spirit immediately from itself,
which is the highest, and that which bringeth most
joy. ...... 439, 440
Of such joys and raptures of the Spirit, and how they
are known from illusions, as, 1. By what goes before them, as —
(1.) The word embraced by faith. . . 441
(2.) Deep humiliation. . , . 441 (3.) Self-denial. . . . .442
(4.) Comfort and victory, . . . 442
CONTENTS.
XI
Page
(5.) Spiritual strength put forth in duty. . 442
2. By what accompanicth them ; as —
(1.) Prizing ordinances. . . . 442
(2.) Liberty and boldness with God. . . 442
(3.) And for the most part Satan's malice. . 443
3. By what folio weth them —
(1.) More humility. .... 443
(2.) Increase of spiritual strength. . . 443
(3.) A joyful expectation of Christ. . 443
4. Other degrees of sealing, from the divers degrees
of revelation. ..... 443
Unto the day of redemption.
§ 3. Of the day of redemption. .... 444
From the consideration of what foi-merly hath been spoken,
some general conclusions are collected. . . 446 Conclusion I. "We may attain to the knowledge that we are
in the state of grace. .... 446
All that have faith have not assurance. . . . 447
Conclusion II. Upon knowledge of our estate of grace for the present, we may be assured of our future full
redemption. ..... 448
Why we pray for forgiveness of sins notwithstanding. . 449 This assurance we have, that, first, God may be glorified ;
secondly, our souls comforted. . . . 449, 450
Conclusion III. This assured knowledge is wrought by the
Spirit. ...... 450
Conclusion IV. The sealing of the Spirit unto salvation
should be a prevailing argument not to grieve the Spirit. 451
1. To those that are not as j'et sealed. . . . 451
2. To those that are sealed either in a lower or higher
work of sealing, and that from —
(1.) Ingenuity. ..... 452
(2.) Benefit received from the Spirit. . . 452
(3.) A kind of necessity. .... 453
(4.) The nature of love. .... 453
(5.) And other graces, as faith and hope, that work by
assimilation. ..... 453
The doctrine of assurance is no doctrine of liberty. . 454
But of deep and sweet engagement. . . . 454
Therefore we should preserve the work. . . 454, 455
Notes. ....... 455
THE FOUNTAIN OPENED.
Godliness, what.
The gospel a mystery, why.
Religion, why persecuted.
How to carry ourselves in religion.
To bless God for mysteries.
Not to set on them with human parts.
457
460 461 464 465 466 466
CONTENTS.
Mysteries of religion above reasou,
Not to despair of learning religion.
Not to slight divine truths.
Godliness a great mystery, why.
How to be affected with it.
To endeavour to learn it.
Godliness a mystery without controvers
Men live not worthy these mysteries.
What truth to account catholic.
Of God manifest in the flesh. .
Christ justified in the Spirit.
Christ seen of angels. .
Christ preached to the Gentiles.
Christ believed on in the world.
Christ received up in glory.