Page:Saint's duty in evil times (5).pdf/19

 Christ,' as a creature by creation and preservation, nor as a member externally, but as a member internally and effectually, but ye will say, how is that?

''Ans.  By the strict union and communion betwixt Christ and the Christians, which is from the strictness of the bond; to wit,'' His word and Spirit on his part, and faith and love on their part. Now we say, how will that be known? Well, we will give you these marks therefore try yourselves. For,

First, If ye be come to Christ, then ye will find in you, a hatred of all sin naturally, and a desire to all good, though often ye may fail in the performance, Rom. vii 15. Paul says, 'That which I do, I allow not, for what I would, that I do not, but what I hate that I do,' I John iii. 8. 'Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:' to wit, First, Purposedly, Secondly, Willingly, Thirdly, Affectionately, Fourthly, not unto death: For the Lord's people have, (1.) Grief, (2.) Care to recover. (3.) Fear to sin. O! can ye run on in sin, without returning and care of repentance; if it be so, ye are not in this living root.

Secondly, If ye be come unto Christ, then ye will find this in you, a right and high esteem of the Lord's mercy, he and his salvation will be only precious in your eyes, 'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered,' Psal. xxxii. I. That will be your thoughts.

Thirdly, If ye be come unto Christ, ye will find this in you, a love unto the way of holiness, as well as happiness itself: Yea your heart will be so drawn after that noble device of salvation, seeing all the glorious attributes of God so shining therein, that ye would in no ways be content to go to heaven another way, than that glorious way, though it could be had, and this is all the Lord requires of you, only a pleasing the device. This is the brazen