2. Get Assurance and Holiness, which is an Evidence of your Title and Interest. As Ahab was angry with the Prophet Micaia•, 1 Kings 22.8. I hate him, because he ⟨p. 224⟩doth not prophesy Good concerning me, but Evil. So Sinners hate us, because we speak not Peace, and do not assure them of Comfort. But alas, in vain do we press Men to Comfort, for till there be Holiness, there can be no Peace or positive Certainty: 1 John 2.3. Hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. This is the Evidence we must avouch in the Court of Conscience. Tho Comfort be founded upon Christ's Merit, yet it will be found only in Christ's Way. Mark the distinctness of Phrase, Mat. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy-laden; and I will give you Rest. Certainly it is Christ must give us Rest; but when will he give it? Ver. 29. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye shall find Rest for your Souls; when we abide in the Discipline of his Spirit. God first poureth in the Oil of Grace, and then the Oil of Gladness. There is an inseparable Connection between Comfort and Grace, as between Fire and Heat; if no Fire, no Heat; and if no Grace, it is in vain to expect Comfort. The Dispensation of the Spirit of Christ cannot be severed from the Application of his Merit. Christ is first King of Righteousness, then King of Peace, Heb. 7.2. First he disposeth and puts the Soul into a holy righteous Frame, and then settleth Peace and Quiet in the Conscience. Alas, for others, God will not trust them with it, and they cannot receive it; God will not trust them with Peace and Comfort. God trieth carnal Men with the Comforts of the World, which they abuse to the neglect of God, and therefore he will not bestow upon them the Comforts of his Spirit. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon, who will commit to your Trust the true Riches? Luke 16.11. When a leaky Vessel is tried with Water, and will not hold it, you will not put any precious Liquor into it: so if you are carnal, and abuse worldly Comforts, Corn, Wine and Oil, to Riot and Excess, do you think God will trust you with the strong Consolations and Ravishments of his Spirit? Then you cannot receive it. A Man may as well think to apply a Needle to his Finger, and not be pricked, as to commit Sin, and not find Trouble in his Conscience.
2. Get Assurance and Holiness, which is an Evidence of your Title and Interest. As Ahab was angry with the Prophet Micaia•, 1 Kings 22.8. I hate him, because he ⟨p. 224⟩doth not prophesy Good concerning me, but Evil. So Sinners hate us, because we speak not Peace, and do not assure them of Comfort. But alas, in vain do we press Men to Comfort, for till there be Holiness, there can be no Peace or positive Certainty: 1 John 2.3. Hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. This is the Evidence we must avouch in the Court of Conscience. Tho Comfort be founded upon Christ's Merit, yet it will be found only in Christ's Way. Mark the distinctness of Phrase, Mat. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy-laden; and I will give you Rest. Certainly it is Christ must give us Rest; but when will he give it? Ver. 29. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye shall find Rest for your Souls; when we abide in the Discipline of his Spirit. God first poureth in the Oil of Grace, and then the Oil of Gladness. There is an inseparable Connexion between Comfort and Grace, as between Fire and Heat; if no Fire, no Heat; and if no Grace, it is in vain to expect Comfort. The Dispensation of the Spirit of Christ cannot be severed from the Application of his Merit. Christ is first King of Righteousness, then King of Peace, Heb. 7.2. First he disposeth and puts the Soul into a holy righteous Frame, and then settleth Peace and Quiet in the Conscience. Alas, for others, God will not trust them with it, and they cannot receive it; God will not trust them with Peace and Comfort. God trieth carnal Men with the Comforts of the World, which they abuse to the neglect of God, and therefore he will not bestow upon them the Comforts of his Spirit. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon, who will commit to your Trust the true Riches? Luke 16.11. When a leaky Vessel is tried with Water, and will not hold it, you will not put any precious Liquor into it: so if you are carnal, and abuse worldly Comforts, Corn, Wine and Oil, to Riot and Excess, do you think God will trust you with the strong Consolations and Ravishments of his Spirit? Then you cannot receive it. A Man may as well think to apply a Needle to his Finger, and not be prick'd, as to commit Sin, and not find Trouble in his Conscience.
