2. How This Good Is Made Ours

For the manner and order of putting us into [illegible] of all this good it will appear in four particulars.

The soul is made capable of all that spiritual good and those precious blessings which [illegible] to [illegible]; [illegible] is and must be first — room made for the [illegible] of these, or else there is no possibility to [illegible] of these; a man cannot be in heaven and hell at [illegible], happy and miserable at the same time, be [illegible] or that which opposes and destroys this good [illegible] yet share [illegible]. First then the Lord Christ makes the soul capable. As in all corporations who have their privileges and immunities by charter [illegible] to certain persons under such terms and conditions, as that he must be bound apprentice, and serve [illegible] long, he that comes not under such conditions is not capable of such privileges, so here: (John 3:27) No man can receive anything except it be given him from [illegible], that is, not only the thing but the receiving of it must be given to him. (Matthew 13:11) To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to others it was not so, for in hearing they should hear and not perceive; seeing they should see and not understand — their eyes were blinded and their hearts were hardened, and so they were incapable of any good. (Colossians 1:12) Giving thanks to the Father who has made [illegible] meet to be partakers of the [illegible] of the saints — as who should say, they were not fit nor meet before they were made so.

As he makes them capable of this: [illegible] he gives them a right and title to that which they may for [illegible] hold and forever maintain their possession by (1 John 5:12): he that has the Son has life. First we must have a right to Christ, and then to all that is in him; in him are hid all the treasuries of wisdom and holiness. If once a man have a right in the [illegible], all the metal, gold and silver is his that is there — [illegible] may dig boldly and take freely, it is his own. Buy once the ground, then all the springs that run [illegible], all the trees that grow there, and all provision [illegible] arising from there are his. Christ is the mine of mercy, and [illegible] ore of grace and salvation, the wellspring of [illegible] and happiness; all the promises are [illegible] and Amen in him, in him accomplished, by him performed. This is God's manner: first he gives his Son and with him all things — that's his order in giving, and it should be ours in receiving. It's Satan's policy to make the saints be at a loss when they look for pardon and grace and peace and comfort within themselves and then to Christ, and so [illegible] his labor and looks in vain. But we should look up to Christ the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12) — [illegible] God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, but it is in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In him these blessings are contained, by him dispensed, and from him received. And therefore the Apostle issues all here: this is the witness of the Father touching his Son — he has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11). This is the tenure of the saints which they hold in Capite.

The soul then stands seized of, and actually vested in, all these spiritual good things of Jesus Christ — he is really admitted into all these privileges that he may enjoy them, and to [illegible] benefit of them as his due. He has not only jus ad rem but jus in re. (Romans 8:32) If he has given us his Son, how shall he not but with him give us all things else — he is the heir who has all; have him and have all. When the indentures are sealed then there is delivery of the land, and the benefit thereof comes to him from that day forward. So here the rents and revenues of the gospel come in to us when once we have Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:30) He is made of God to us: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. If once he be made ours, all in him will be made ours also. ([reconstructed: John 1:16]) Of his fullness, we all receive grace for grace.

The soul has now liberty to [illegible] and improve Christ, and all he is, and has, and does for our spiritual advancement, and so to live upon our own revenues and income from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 2:19) That I now live, it is by the faith of Jesus. (Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. He has provisions about him to live comfortably and contentedly in all conditions: I can be rich, and I can be poor; I can abound, and I can be abased. Men's patrimonies and possessions may help them to be rich, but to teach them how to be poor they will not — in fact, rather indispose them. And God would have us not only live Christianly, but comfortably. (Hebrews 6:17-18) He has sworn that he will bless us in his Christ, that by two immutable things we might have strong consolation. In fact, to grow up in him in all things (Ephesians 4:15-16), that we may grow rich in peace and comfort and assurance, in grace and holiness, and all the good things of Jesus Christ.

And this is the order of application: he first makes us capable of, then gives us a right to, then vests us in, and lastly gives us the use and improvement of all spiritual good in Christ. Thus it's made ours.

This should make us see and affect our hearts with a holy admiration at the riches of God's mercy and the freeness of the covenant of grace in Christ, who goes before his own with blessings of goodness, and that in the midst of their undeservings. When out of the stubbornness and contrariness of our hearts we oppose his truth and holiness, he does us good when we neither will nor desire our own good.

He not only provides a gift, but a hand to take [illegible]; he requires the condition which is exceeding reasonable, and works [illegible] the condition he requires. He tenders us mercy which we could not have conceived, and that's not all, but gives a heart to entertain it, that [illegible] Christian might be and breathe in mercy.

When Adam, though adorned with all [reconstructed: the perfections] that was compatible [reconstructed: with] a creature in his condition, having the stock left in [reconstructed: his] hand, he undid himself [reconstructed: and] his posterity, being left to the mutability of his [reconstructed: own] will, though holy and righteous, how suddenly [reconstructed: and] irrecoverably becomes he miserable: But this is [reconstructed: the] incomparable excellency of the Covenant of Grace — the Lord not only makes provision for lost man ([reconstructed: and] though it was no small favor, yet it would never [reconstructed: have] done him good) therefore he made it his also. [reconstructed: A]dam should have had all conveyed to him by a [reconstructed: covenant] of Justice, by his own improvement and obedience, and hence he lost what he had and hoped for. It [reconstructed: was] just [that] God should require service from Adam, it [reconstructed: was] just he should give him grace to do it (for else [reconstructed: God] should have required [reconstructed: it] from his creature, which had been contrary to the wisdom and holiness [reconstructed: of] the Creator). It was also just that when [reconstructed: he] had done what was commanded and covenanted [reconstructed: with] him for ([reconstructed: it] was just [reconstructed: to] say) that then he should accept of work and reward it, for to him that works, wages is due of debt (Romans 4:4). But it's [reconstructed: not so] in [reconstructed: the case] of the Covenant of the Gospel. All [reconstructed: is] merely and only out [reconstructed: of] the Covenant of God's free favor; when we lost and forfeited all we had, and [reconstructed: disabled] ourselves for what we needed, and were unwilling out of the wretched and hellish distempers of our [reconstructed: corrupt] [reconstructed: hearts], either to have anything, or to be made capable of [reconstructed: any] thing, that grace might appear to be grace indeed, [reconstructed: he] does [reconstructed: all] for our good, not only beyond our desert ([reconstructed: for] what we have besides Hell, is mercy) but beyond [reconstructed: our] desire.

That you may forever, each day that passes [reconstructed: over] your head, remember it to the Lord, and leave [reconstructed: it] upon record in your own conscience; say, Had [reconstructed: you] (blessed Lord) given me the desire of my [reconstructed: heart], and left me to my own will, it's certain I had [reconstructed: been] in Hell long before this day, when in the days [reconstructed: of] my folly and times of my ignorance, when out [reconstructed: of] the desperate wretchedness of my rebellious [reconstructed: heart], I was running riot in the ways of [reconstructed: sin], when I said to the Seers, See not; and to the Prophets, Prophesy not, to Christians, to [reconstructed: Ministers], to Governors, Admonish not, Counsel not, [reconstructed: Rebuke] not, Stop me not in the pursuit of sin. Then was I took hold of deceit and refused to return, resolved in the secret purpose of my own soul, would none of you — I would not have that Word [reconstructed: of] yours reveal or remove my corruptions, I would [reconstructed: have] none of your grace that might humble me and purge [reconstructed: me], none of that mercy of yours that might pardon [reconstructed: me], none of that redemption of yours that might [reconstructed: redeem me]. [reconstructed: Had] you then [reconstructed: taken] me at my word, and [reconstructed: given] me what I wished, and sealed up my [reconstructed: doom], saying, [reconstructed: Be] you forever filthy, forever [reconstructed: wretched], and forever miserable — you would neither [reconstructed: be] holy nor happy, you shall have your will, sin [reconstructed: on then], and take your portion with devils — [reconstructed: Lord], it had been just with you, and I justly [reconstructed: deserved it].

But to bear with all my baseness, to put up all [reconstructed: my] wrongs and provocations, to strive with me [reconstructed: for my] good when I took up arms against you, [reconstructed: when I] strove against my own good; indeed, when I [reconstructed: resisted] mercy, and then to take away that resistance, and to cause me to take mercy, and make it mine, when [reconstructed: I] used all the skill I could to hinder my own salvation — Oh! the height, the depth, the length, the [reconstructed: breadth] of this mercy!

It was God's expression of his own kindness towards the [reconstructed: people] (Ezekiel 16:4-6): In the day of [reconstructed: your] nativity I saw you in your blood, and then I said [reconstructed: to you]. Consider but yourself and your own ways, and you will find it your condition, and therefore take up your stand again here in admiration; when there was no means to help me, no man to pity me, and I had not a heart to pity myself; when I lay [reconstructed: wallowing] in my blood, wallowing in my sin, when I said [reconstructed: I] would die, then you beheld me and said, Live [reconstructed: you] poor creature, Live. Oh that mercy! forever to be adored — Come down, you [reconstructed: holy] Angels from Heaven, and magnify that mercy through eternity; [reconstructed: I] would [reconstructed: have] perished in despite of mercy, and the Lord made me take mercy in despite of my heart.

Train up yourself thus, and diet your soul with [reconstructed: the] daily admiration of this rich mercy of the Lord, [reconstructed: feed] with [reconstructed: your] daily bread; it's mercy that gives, mercy that continues, mercy that perfects all spiritual good for you [reconstructed: and] in you, and will do so to all [reconstructed: eternity]. As they in the rearing of the frame of the [reconstructed: second] Temple — all the people cried, Grace, grace, grace (Zechariah 4:7) — when it was not power nor policy, for the whole nation was poor and despicable, wholly [reconstructed: weak] and unable to begin or to carry on such a [reconstructed: work]. Grace then laid the foundation, and grace never left until it added the topstone; so here, it was mere grace that provided salvation, that [reconstructed: applied] it, offered it; made you able to receive it; therefore you should walk in the wonderment of this grace and mercy, all your life long.

Hence also is matter of humiliation and daily self-denial while we live in this world, which may help to pull down our proud hearts, and peacock feathers, and lay us low in our thoughts, in the apprehension of our own vileness and baseness, [illegible] own weakness and unworthiness. When we feel our hearts to be puffed up with the vain apprehension of our own worth, parts or performances, what we are, and what we do; look we back to our first beginnings and [illegible] aright of our own wretchedness, and nothingness, yes, worse than nothing, in that we not only wanted all good, but we had it within us to oppose all good, and that will cause us to sit down in silence, abased forever. When empty bladders are grown to too great bulk and bigness, to prick them is the readiest way to lessen them; when our empty and vain minds swell with big thoughts, and high overweening conceit of our own worth, learn we to stab and pierce our hearts with the righteous judgment of our own natural vileness, which will (or at least may) let out that frothy haughtiness that lifts us up beyond our measure. Tell your heart and commune with your conscience, and say, It is not my good nature that I am not roaring among the wretches of the world in the road and broad way of ruin and destruction, that I am not wallowing in all manner of sin with the worst of men, it's not my good nature, no thank to anything that I have, that I am not upon the chain with malefactors, or in the dungeon with witches, for whatever hell has, it is in this heart of mine naturally, a Cain here, a Judas here, indeed, a devil here.

The time was (O that with an abased heart I may ever think of that time) I never looked after the spiritual good of my soul, whether I had a soul or no, what would become of me and it, was the least of my care, the farthest end of my thoughts, indeed, loath I was to hear of, or know these things when they were [illegible], unwilling to receive them, or give way to them when they were offered. How did I stop my ears, shut my eyes, harden my heart? What ways, means, and devices did I use and invent to shut [illegible] the light of the truth, and to stop the passage and power of the Word, that it might not convince me, that it might not reform me, might not recall me [illegible] my [illegible]. How often have I secretly wished that either the Word were taken out of the place, or [illegible] from [illegible], that it might not trouble me in my sinful distempers, and when [illegible] had least good I had most ease, and took greatest content. O that such a vile wretch should thus live, and yet live! to be thus sinful! O that I might forever be abased for it. As in sores, when the proud [illegible] increases, there is no way but a corrosive to eat [illegible] down: this consideration of our own [illegible] may be like this corrosive to eat down the pride of our hearts. Thus Paul frequently in the remembrance of his former wretchedness, bleeds kindly and [illegible] in the abasement of his spirit; he mentions not his apostleship which might exalt him, but presently he remembers his [illegible] which might abase him (1 Timothy 1:12): I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me for that he counted me faithful, and put me to the ministry, who was before a [illegible], [illegible] and injurious. Verse 13: Hence again he observes it was God's way that he might not be exalted above measure, to buffet him with the sense and assaults of his own weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7), and thus far he did glory in, and take pleasure in his [illegible], not to have them, but to use the consideration of them as a wholesome corrosive to pull down those proud swellings. As a man sometimes takes pleasure [illegible] the powder of scorpions, or mercury water, because [illegible] a medicine against some poisonous humors; and [illegible] he directs (Ephesians 2:11-12): Remember that you were dead in sins and trespasses, Gentiles in the flesh, without God, without Christ, without hope. If a man conceits that his make or metal is better than other men's, let him look into the pit from where he was dug, the rock out of which he was hewn; he will [illegible] see cause to conclude he was as hard, as stubborn, [illegible] proud as any other, as unteachable, as unframable [illegible] any other. And here that question has place: What have you that you have not received? Indeed, [illegible] degree lower, how did you come to be able to [illegible] it? Stake down your heart in this determination, [illegible] answer: I have received nothing further than [illegible] has enabled me, and I have nothing unless he [illegible] it, I do nothing unless he quickens me to the [illegible] of it. The remembrance of [illegible] plagues of [illegible] heart and nature should [illegible] me forever to be [illegible], I am what I am by mercy, let that have the [illegible] of all, which is the worker of all the good I [illegible]. As men pull away the steps and stool from [illegible] a man if he stand too high, so [illegible] should pull away [illegible] swelling conceits which lift us up in our own [illegible]. It's not I, but the grace of God in me; [illegible] I any power to be humbled, to believe, to be [illegible]? No, it's not I, but free grace, that is the [illegible] and worker of all; let grace therefore have [illegible] honor and praise of all.

Here is matter of cordial refreshing to support the [illegible] of sinners, from sinking into desperate [illegible], when they see the weakness of their own [illegible], not able to reach this work, the stiffness of [illegible] own wills, as ready and resolute to oppose it and [illegible] of both, an utter impossibility to attain it, or any [illegible] good to themselves, their hearts and hopes cannot but fail so far as they look to themselves. But when they look to this, that as it is beyond their own power, so it is not their own work, this may be some support. It is in [illegible] hand and must proceed from his power, who can do what he will in heaven and earth and in your heart also, therefore repair here and rest your fainting spirit here.

In regard of a man's weakness, the well is deep and you have nothing to draw with, the work of application is spiritual and mystical, the eye is dim and your understanding shallow, not able to search into such mysteries, you cannot discern neither the way, nor the work, how will you be ever able then to attain it? Remember you cannot make yourself able, but you must be made able to know it and to receive it, it is in his hand, and it is his work who is able to do it (Jeremiah 24:7). I will give them a heart to know me, here our Savior resolves this work and rests himself here (Matthew 11:25). I thank you Father Lord of Heaven and Earth, that you have hid these things from the wise of the world and revealed them to babes, even so Father, for so it pleases you. And it is God's promise (Isaiah 42:16), the blind shall see and the deaf shall hear. It is his ordinary proceeding, he calls the foolish and things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are (1 Corinthians 1:28). Therefore you should press God with his own promises, remind him that this is his prerogative, say, Lord it is not in man to direct [illegible], to humble himself, to convert himself, but it is with you, and it is your promise to give me a heart to know you, you call things that are not, I am not wise nor humble nor holy, I am not able to know you — let me be known of you that so I may come to the knowledge of you.

But perhaps your stiffness is more and worse and more dangerous than your weakness, though your mind be enlightened, cavils removed, the truth made clear, your [illegible] settled, what should be done; but oh, the [illegible] stiffness of this wayward will, that has [illegible] all promises and distrusted them, all threatenings [illegible] slighted them; so that the distressed sinner will [illegible], I have a heart that cannot repent or believe, that [illegible] receive grace, that cannot give way to the power of God's ordinances or make choice of any good, [illegible] that I am even weary of my heart and of my life [illegible]. Yet, God can pluck away this unteachableness [illegible] your heart though you cannot take away your [illegible] from it; of his own good will he has begotten [illegible] (James 1:18). It is not in the will of Satan nor in your own will to hinder it if God will do it, it is his work he has challenged it to himself, and has engaged himself to do it for all his — I will take away the heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). Say, Lord I cannot do it, and [illegible] truth I should not do it, for that were to arrogate more than I should, and to press into the privilege of the Almighty — I only wait on you and bring my heart to you, that you would bring me to yourself, [illegible] the leper said (Matthew 8:3), if you will you can make me clean, I have neither will nor power, I can [illegible] do it nor receive it, but you can do both for me and work both in me. It was the ground of [illegible] which the Lord gave to his people in building the material Temple, when they looked at the greatness of the work, and their many oppositions (Zechariah 4:7): Who are you, O great mountain? you shall become a plain. Difficulties are compared to mountains, when a man sees a mountain lying before him, he thinks it is inaccessible, and impossible for him to go over it, so when a man sees the pride and stubbornness and rebellion of his own spirit, he thinks [illegible] is impossible for him to subdue these, but if the Lord will he can say to it, who are you, O great mountain? And though it be mountainous pride and stiffness and corruption yet he can make it become a plain, when he will humble your heart and set up the power of [illegible] grace within you. As when the angel came to [illegible] Peter the iron gate was opened, so though all the [illegible] we can take cannot pull the iron gate off a proud heart off the hinges, yet when the Lord will come the iron gate will give way of its own accord.

Here we also have a rule of direction, showing the right and the ready way how to [illegible] forward the great work of [illegible] on our souls whenever the Lord is striving with us in the ministry of the Gospel; look how God offers Christ and all spiritual good in him, so we should attend his mind, and so receive it.

The directions here for quickening our hearts and enlightening our minds are three.

First look to Christ; first make sure of him, as he in whom all our good is laid up, [illegible] is God's order in dispensing, it should be ours in receiving: he first gives his Son and all things with him, we first receive his Son, and all spiritual good through him. The wise merchant bought the field, and being possessed of that, the pearl that was hid therein was [illegible]; Christ is the heir of all, and if we have him we have all. They said it [illegible], this is the heir, come let us [illegible] [illegible] and the inheritance shall be ours (Matthew 21:38). But this we may and should say [illegible], this is the heir, come let us love him, let us possess him and then all the inheritance of grace and glory shall be ours. The woman looks first at the man, and then she well knows, if she have him, his means is hers also — she cannot want it, if he have it. So it is here, Christ Jesus is the head and [illegible] of his Church, all the great things of life and grace and glory are all in his hand, in his having, and his giving, once have Christ and have all, therefore eye a Savior, look to him and make sure of him above all.

Look at all graces as either they lead to Christ or [illegible] from Christ, else they will lose their life and sweetness, and we shall lose the comfort of them, unless we look at them thus, either as they bring us to Christ by the power of his Spirit, or as they come from Christ by his Spirit inhabiting in us. As there be several ways that lead to the goal or mark at which men [illegible], and they look no further at them, nor are refreshed by them, than as they point out a path or lead [illegible] way to the mark, where their prize and profit is. Christ is the mark; all graces are such as either come from him or lead to him, and further than they attain that, they and we miss both our end and good (Philippians 3:13-14). This one thing I do: I press forward after the [illegible] the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; still we should look at him, that we may have [illegible], and enjoy him — this should be the mark we [illegible] aim at, the goal we should run for. Look at [illegible] duties as they are means to bring us to him, and to [illegible] saving good from him. Say to the great work [illegible] contrition, humiliation, vocation: from where do you come, and where are you going? They will all say, to bring you to [illegible] — and so look at them, so attend to them. Again, sanctification, holiness, obedience — from where do you come? Why, from Jesus Christ; here they all center. [illegible] always the way to Zion, the way to Christ, [illegible] to come to him, how to receive spiritual good from him. Whom do you seek? A Christ. Why are you [illegible]? Why do you pray? And why do you weep? It is [illegible] a Christ. Thus, if we make Jesus Christ the center of all graces and duties, then they will become truly [illegible], and truly comfortable to our own souls.

When we would have our graces either increased or [illegible], we must not look to our own graces or go [illegible] in the power of them, that either we may get [illegible] or do more, but look to Christ the Author and finisher of our [illegible] and leave our hearts and graces with him. The wheel drives the mill, but the stream drives the wheel; the sail carries the ship, but no longer than the wind carries the sail. So [illegible] is here: (Ephesians 6:10) Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might, else there is neither power nor might [illegible] strength to be had from our own graces or abilities in the time of need. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength as the eagle; they shall [illegible] changes of strength, renewed resolution, courage, and constancy in a Christian course, whereas the strongest without so doing will grow weak and feeble.

Exhortation: All the faithful are hence to be exhorted, to know their duty, and to deal with these spiritual good things, as men use to do with their possessions. Christ has made them yours; now you may, you should, you ought to use them as your own. There is never a humbled, believing soul but Christ has put him into possession of all spiritual good, as if he should say, Christ and Wisdom and Justification, and Sanctification and Redemption, in him and with him and from him these are all yours. Go your ways then and use these as good [illegible] are accustomed to do with their [illegible], and look what a man would do when he is come into his possession, so do you with all that good that Christ has made yours (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The care of good husbands about that which [illegible] theirs discovers itself in three things.

Men that are prudent will see their estates settled, clear up their right to their possessions by course of law, and when they have got their evidences which are sound and good, they keep them as sure. In a word, this is each man's care that has but an ordinary compass of providence: he keeps the evidence of his [illegible] in readiness and safety.

1. In safety — tender and choice he is in this, above [illegible] things else in the [illegible] — why, his whole estate lies [illegible] it; it is all he has to show. And he will not leave [illegible] at six and sevens, cast them in a blind corner, so [illegible] dust and filth may blur them, or the moth [illegible] them, or children tear them. No: if there be [illegible] box fitter than another, one lock or chest surer [illegible] another, there he lays them and locks them [illegible].

2. Not only in safety but in readiness — he does [illegible] content himself to say, I am sure they are safe, [illegible] I cannot find them. I have forgotten where I left [illegible], and laid them. No: they are never to seek; [illegible] can find them in the dark and [illegible] them [illegible]. And which is more, though a man cannot read a [illegible], yet if he be a prudent man he can [illegible] tell upon what tenure he holds them, how they were conveyed to him, how estated upon him, so that if he be forced to try it by law he can maintain his own. Why do you do so now (I speak to believers)? God has put you into possession of all spiritual good; once in Christ, then you are justified, adopted, [illegible], glorified. Why, do this then: make these sure, and keep these sure [illegible] your own comfort.

First make sure your evidence for Christ and all saving good in him: (2 Corinthians 13:5). Examine yourselves, prove yourselves whether you be in the faith or no — know you not that Christ is in you, except you be to be reproved — as who should say, this is that [illegible] to try and find out, and you too, or else you are to blame: you should try it, make it good to yourselves in all courts, by the law, and by the Gospel, by the tenor of the prophets and promises, and by all the truths of God in the whole word of God. You ought to do thus, and wise men will do so (Galatians 6:4). Let every man prove his own work; for if a man [illegible] but seems to himself to be something when indeed he [illegible] nothing, he seems only to be called, and to be humbled, and to believe in Christ when it is not so indeed — your hearts and hopes and expectations will deceive you at last. Therefore prove it, make it clear, get evidence undeniable of it; then you may rejoice and be comforted, you may go triumphing to your [illegible] and so to heaven. But what a misery is this, that many men, after many years of profession, and when sickness and death comes upon them sometimes [illegible] they are ready to go out of the world, and yet they have nothing to say or show for heaven. Therefore do not rest until you have made sure your evidence for heaven and happiness, that you may be able to say, I am sure Christ and all saving good is mine.

Secondly, when you have made sure your evidence, then keep it sure — maintain it and keep it by you forever. Let not Satan, nor temptations, [illegible] corruptions, nor discouragements, nor carnal reason, take away your evidence from you, but that you may have them to use when you have need of them.

[illegible] is such a childish heedlessness that a man should ever be at a loss for his spiritual estate; as though one should live in his possessions, and if he go but a mile out of the town, and the day grow soggy, he cannot tell where he is though he be upon his own ground. When a man should be able to [illegible] and find his evidences at midnight — as Paul said (2 Timothy 1:12), I know whom I have trusted — so Job, when it was [illegible] with him in his temptations and desertions, he could then say (Job 19:25), I know that my Redeemer lives; He is a Redeemer and he is mine, and though I am a dying man, yet He lives. And as a good woman said when Satan troubled her house, I was here [illegible] the devil came, I had possession first, and I [illegible] be here when he is gone — so a Christian should [illegible]: Christ [illegible] put me into possession of all saving [illegible], and therefore though the devil come and [illegible] me [illegible] his temptations, yet he shall not put me [illegible]; I will hold my evidence and keep my possession [illegible] withstanding all.

By a holy and blessed kind of boldness you should [illegible] and use all those good things of the Gospel [illegible] Christ has purchased and established upon you — [illegible] are your own, and you may be bold with your [illegible]. Whatever legacy is passed over to an heir, [illegible] he sees the inventory of all lands and goods, [illegible] and revenues annexed by name to the will, [illegible] does not trouble [illegible] to take these and use [illegible]; if any say take heed what you do, why, he [illegible] it and is able to bring the inventory where [illegible] is named, therefore he uses them and will do so. [illegible] now, [illegible] lies the skill of a Christian — look [illegible] the Gospel (that [illegible] the will of Christ), look into [illegible] inventory of all the promises and all the good [illegible] of God contained in them; you shall find that [illegible] mentions you and [illegible] you in particular, in [illegible] the riches and revenues of the Gospel. Therefore [illegible] should take them, use them as your own — they are [illegible] in the testament of [illegible] and bequeathed [illegible] you. When you read what God has done for Zion (Psalm 48), in those glorious [illegible], [illegible], deliverances, mercies [illegible] to his [illegible] in former times, mark how the Psalmist [illegible], and so every believer may and should [illegible], as in the last verse: This God is our God. He [illegible] my God — all his attributes, his wisdom, his [illegible], his love, his mercy are mine; he will quicken [illegible] and comfort me and save me as well as he has [illegible] his people in former times. David thus makes use of his portion in God here, and so should we [illegible] after David.

The Lord had said to Joshua, I will never [illegible] you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5). The Apostle in [illegible] 13:5 shows how every Christian should apply [illegible] to himself, implying that whatever promise a believer reads and meets with in the Gospel, he [illegible] and should [illegible] it to himself and say, this faithfulness and [illegible] the Lord is mine — he will no more leave me nor forsake me than he did Joshua, [illegible] than he has done any of his servants in former [illegible]. And so all that power which was expressed in [illegible] conversion of Paul, all that mercy which was [illegible] toward Manasseh in humbling him so mightily, [illegible] pardoning him so graciously — all that is mine. [illegible] not you such children as to suffer Satan to [illegible] you of your own comforts, or to attend what [illegible] reasonings may cast in, to fear you from [illegible] your own — even all the spiritual good which [illegible] Christ has purchased for you and given to you.

It's the part of a good husband to grow rich out of his revenues and [illegible], especially if many [illegible] great that appertain to him: to make both ends meet at year's end, to make but one of one, and yet live from hand to mouth, and yet born to so fair an estate, and [illegible] of so many goodly manors, [illegible] wonder at it, that having so much, he should make so little of it; Alas (say they) he is no husband, he will never do good of it, he does not follow his business. So to have such great, and rich, and [illegible] promises, and to be such poor Christians, and yet have so plentiful redemption, and so mean, and under consolation, it's a sign you do not improve the riches of the gospel, you play the ill husbands with your possessions; Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord (Hosea 6:2). Then shall you know what it is to be effectually called, what it is to have assurance of God's love, if you follow on to know the Lord; Hence the Apostle exhorts, Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Do not be bungling at it now and then, but work it out thoroughly, and then you shall have according to your heart's desire.