18
crites may have at sometimes by another. Consider these who were John's hearers, John v. 35. 'Who for a season rejoiced in his light.' O! beware of gospel hypocrites, take not flashes for conversion. If it could be determined how great a length hypocrites may come, we think it would be first here. O what shall we say of it! do what they will, and come as great a length as they can, they never come unto Christ, who are not fully denied to themselves and positively only rest upon Jesus Christ, for justification and sanctification. True faith hath two voices. 1st, it calls and cries, O sinner, lean not to thyself, rest not there. 2dly, O sinner, rest on Jesus Christ and lean unto himself.
Use. Now, O believers, search and try yourselves, set about it earnestly, this is your work, and it will not be done slumbering and sleeping: There are many of you here this day, who are not come the length of some of these steps, which we have named; yet, ye may come through them all every one, and if ye go not further, ye will ne'er win to Christ: And in his name I tell you, 'Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven'
Ye know, we gave you some hints of these who are the Lord's people, viz, 'These who have come unto Christ,' are made righteous, and live righteously: and for the more clearing of it, we now declare who these are, who have come unto him by giving some marks and evidences, how the same may be known. We are not speaking of, 'being in 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 communication 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
