The pattern of perfection exhibited in Gods image on AdamThe paterne of perfection exhibited in Gods image on Adam

The ground of it is this; If he that hath great interest in Gods love, may yet notwithstanding ⟨p. 346⟩not be assured of it in his own sense; if he that hath a great work of grace, may yet not be able to apprehend that work that God gives; nay, if a man that walks exactly before God, cannot see the power of grace, that helps him so to do; it is certain, this cannot hinder him from the right of coming to the Sacrament; But the former may be, ergo, &c. The Rule is undeniable.

The ground of it is this; If hee that hath great interest in Gods love, may yet notwithstanding ⟨p. 346⟩not be assured of it in his owne sense; if he that hath a great work of grace, may yet not be able to apprehend that worke that God gives; nay, if a man that walkes exactly before God, cannot see the power of grace, that helps him so to do; it is certain, this cannot hinder him from the right of comming to the Sacrament; But the former may be, ergo, &c. The Rule is undeniable.

Rule 2. This is no hinderance from coming to the Sacrament, that a man finds a deadish heart within him in the performance of service; that a man finds a body of death oppressing of him, and lying upon him when he comes to this duty: And the reason is this; because the ⟨p. 347⟩soul, (sometimes) when it is most pestered, and the heart most deadened and clogged, is then truly in the estate of grace, and also walks most humbly before God, and labours to depend upon, and seek much more for his mercy, and to strive most sincerely against its corruptions: all which argue, that a man is deeply interested in Gods love, and hath an interest, in a great measure, to the Lord Christ and his Covenant, and so consequently to the Sacrament. I dare say this, That the worst services of a Christian man to his own sense and apprehension, find most acceptance with God. The poorest duties, for the performance outwardly, are sometimes most perfect;