heaven, nor quails, as the Ifraelites had in the wildernefs; nor does not make coats for us, as he did for Adam and Eve, Gen. iii. 21. So in this cafe, it is not neceffary there fhould be a voice from heaven, as there was three times in our Saviour's life; at his baptifm, transfiguration, and a little before his death. God will teach fo far as is neceffary to ingenerate piety in us here, and to bring us to fafety hereafter.

4. Where knowledge is purfued by practice, there is other expectation than from fpeculation alone. He that doth the will of God, fhall know of his doctrine, Job vii. 17. The Holy Ghoft is given to those that obey him, Acts v. 32. For none can reasonably claim the promife of God or man, who doth not come up fully to the terms of him who made fuch promise. Now religion, though it begins at knowledge, it proceeds to temper, and ends in practice. Wherefore the engagements God enters into, to the religious, do not oblige, in cafe persons be not in ultimo actu; fuch to whom thofe engagements refer. He is a liar who faith he knows God and keeps not his commandments. After David's grofs miscarriage, there is always a reserve, except in the cafe of Uriah. 'Tis a blot in his fcutcheon, notwithstanding all the promises made to him; witnefs his child's death, Ammon, Abfalom, Shimei, Sheba, Adonijah.

Thefe cautions and limitations to prevent enthusiafm: for nothing is more neceffary for the interest of religion than to secure the minds of men against enthusiasm for through unskilfulness of men, ma

ny

ny have been subject to acknowledge more of fu pernatural affiftance in hot unfettled fancies, and in perplexed melancholy, than in the calm and diftinct use of reason.

The inferences I make from hence are,

1. The purity of a man's mind, the fincerity of his intention, the honesty of his heart is his great fecurity, gives mighty advantage to right understanding, orthodox judgment. Of holy things, men of holy hearts and lives, fpeak with great affurance of truth, There is not only the ability of these mens parts (as others have ;) but there is the naturalnefs of the subject to their state and temper, especially of the acquaintance they have with it, and the experience they have of it: and God's bleffing over and above.

There is a double advantage from the grace of the heart and the goodness of the spirit; for it reftores health and foundnefs, after a declination and tendency to discomposure and distemper: 'tis of a different nature from falfhood and lies; and fo hath the force of a contrary inclination and biafs. In point of misapprehenfion and failure of judgment, it is a principal light for detecting and discovering in cafe of miscarriage in practice, it is fanative and reftorative.

2. That in ways of uprightness and integrity we may prefume of God's leading us into all truth, we are concerned to know. God fuffers it not to be vainly spoken in his name, (God fhall reveal unto you) 'Tis congruous and feemly, that the fenfe of God should walk in all ways of truth. This is in purB 2 fuance

heaven, nor quails, as the Ifraelites had in the wildernefs ; nor does not make coats for us, as he did for Adam and Eve, Gen. iii. 21. So in this cafe, it is not neceffary there should be a voice from heaven, as there was three times in our Saviour's life; at his baptifm, transfiguration, and a little before his death. God will teach fo far as is necessary to ingenerate piety in us here, and to bring us to fafety hereafter.

4. Where knowledge is pursued by practice, there is other expectation than from speculation alone. He that doth the will of God, fhall know of his doctrine, Job vii. 17. The Holy Ghoft is given to those that obey him, Acts v. 32. For none can reasonably claim the promise of God or man, who doth not come up fully to the terms of him who made fuch promise. Now religion, though it begins at knowledge, it proceeds to temper, and ends in practice. Wherefore the engagements God enters into, to the religious, do not oblige, in cafe perfons be not in ultimo actu; such to whom those engagements refer. He is a liar who faith he knows God, and keeps not his commandments. After David's grofs miscarriage, there is always a referve, except in the cafe of Uriah. 'Tis a blot in his fcutcheon, notwithstanding all the promises made to him; witnefs his child's death, Ammon, Abfalom, Shimei, Sheba, Adonijah.

Thefe cautions and limitations to prevent enthusiafm: for nothing is more neceffary for the interest of religion than to fecure the minds of men against ›enthusiasm : for through unskilfulness of men, ma

ny

ny have been subject to acknowledge more of fu pernatural affiftance in hot unfettled fancies, and in perplexed melancholy, than in the calm and dif tinct use of reafon.

The inferences I make from hence are,

1. The purity of a man's mind, the fincerity of his intention, the honefty of his heart is his great fecurity, gives mighty advantage to right understanding, orthodox judgment. Of holy things, men of holy hearts and lives, fpeak with great affurance of truth, There is not only the ability of these mens parts (as others have ;) but there is the naturalness of the subject to their state and temper, especially of the acquaintance they have with it, and the experience they have of it: and God's bleffing over and above.

There is a double advantage from the grace of the heart and the goodness of the spirit; for it reftores health and foundness, after a declination and tendency to discomposure and distemper: 'tis of a different nature from falfhood and lies; and fo hath the force of a contrary inclination and biafs. In point of misapprehenfion and failure of judgment, it is a principal light for detecting and discovering: in cafe of miscarriage in practice, it is fanative and reftorative.

2. That in ways of uprightness and integrity we may prefume of God's leading us into all truth, we are concerned to know. God fuffers it not to be vainly spoken in his name, (God fhall reveal unto you) 'Tis congruous and feemly, that the sense of God fhould walk in all ways of truth. This is in purB 2 fuance

fuance of the former great work of regeneration and converfion : 'tis a thing which belongs unto them, in respect of their state: 'tis what God is ready to do for them, at their entreaty. Therefore depend upon God, seek to him for it, acknowledge him in it, and wholly; lean not to thine own understanding. 'Tis true that the bleffing of God in every way makes rich, gives iffue, makes fuccessful; but remarkably in this work of illuminating minds and understandings.

3. Give a fair allowance of patience to those who mean well; be ready to fhew to them, fince there is ground of expectation, that in a little time they will come out of their error. Otherwhere perfons of good nature, parents and friends wait and expect while there is any hope. Nothing is desperate in the condition of good men: they will not live and die in any dangerous error. They have a right principle within them, and God's fuperintendency, conduct and guidance. The devil is thrown out of his ftrong hold, where there is holiness of heart and being difpoffeffed of his main fort, he will lofe all his holds, one after another: all errors and mistakes will be discovered fucceffively. The fun having broken through the thickest cloud, will after that fcatter the lefs; and the day will clear up. There is reason to think God will bring out of particular mistake, him that is right in the main. reveal even this unto him.

God fball