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, which many profane 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 some 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.

For the more distinct handling of this preparatory work, we shall shortly hint the most ordinary ways by which the Lord leadeth people in unto the covenant savingly, and draweth them unto Christ.

First, There are some called from the womb, as John the Baptist was, Luke i. 41. 44. or in their very young years, before they can be deeply engaged actively in Satan's ways, as Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 15. It cannot be supposed that those have such a preparatory work as we are to speak of. And because some persons may pretend to this way of effectual calling, we offer these marks. of it, whereby those who have been so called may be confirmed.

Ist. Such use from their childhood to be kept free of ordinary pollutions wherewith children. usually are defiled: as swearing, lying, mocking of religion and religious persons, &c. Those whom God calleth effectually he sanctifieth them from the time of that effectual calling: "Sin cannot have dominion over them" as over. others, "because they are under grace," Rom. vi. 14..

2dly. Religion is, as it were, natural to them; I mean they need not be much pressed to religious duties even when they are but children; they run willingly that way, because there is an inward principle of "love constraining them," 2 Cor. v. 14. so as "they yield themselves servants of righteousness," without outward constraint, Rom. vi. 16.

3dly. Although such know not when they were first acquainted with God, yet they have afterwads such exercises of spirit befalling, as the

saints in scripture, of whose first conversion we hear not, do speak of. They are shut out from God, upon some occasion, now and then, and › are admitted to come nearer again to their apprehension; their heart is also further broken up by the ordinances, as is said of Lydia, Acts xvi. 14. And ordinarily they do remember when some special enjoyment of religion and duty, or when some sin, of which they were not taking notice before, was discovered to them. They who can apply these things to themselves, have much to say for their effectual calling from their youth.

Secondly, Some are brought into Christ in a sovereign gospel way, when the Lord, by some few words of love swallowing up any law-work, quickly taketh a person prisoner at the first, as he did Zaccheus, Luke xix. and others, who, upon a word spoken by Christ, did leave all and follow him; and we hear no noise of a law-work dealing with them before they close with Christ Jesus.

And because some may pretend to this way of calling, we shall touch some things most remarkable in that transaction with Zaccheus, for their clearing and confirmation. (1.) He had some desire to see Christ, and such a desire as made him wave that which some would have judged prudence and discretion, whilst he climbeth up upon a tree that he might see him. (2.) Christ spoke to his heart, and that word took such hold upon him, that presently with joy he did accept of Christ's offer and closeth with Christ as Lord, whilst few of any note were following him. (3.) Upon this his heart doth open