A Spiritual LOOKING-GLASS, Wherein Is briefly discoursed the Excellency, and the necessity of saving FAITH. AND Likewise how it may be known, whether we have this FAITH, or no. BEING The Substance of two Sermons, Published in London, July the 23. 1671.  
By Sam. Pack, Preacher of the Gospel.  
Printed in the Year, 1671.   

A Spiritual Looking-glass.  Acts 16. V 31. 
And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.  
IN this Chapter we have a conspicuous manifestation of that enmity that is in the Devil, that evil one against God, the fountain of goodness. We see in this Chapter, that no sooner had the Lord Jesus Christ, that Prince of peace, sent Paul and Silas those Sons of Peace, to Preach unto the World the Gospel of peace, in order to the bringing in of poor Souls to the God of peace; but presently the Devil shown his enmity against mod by endeavouring to stop the course of the mospel, and thereby to hinder Souls from coming to Jesus Christ. The Prince of Darkness that rules in the hearts of the Children of darkness, did no sooner see that ou● Lord Jesus Christ had by his Servant Paul, cast the Devil of sooth-saying out of a Maid, but presently be shows his enmity in filling the heart of her Master with a persecuting spirit, being ushered in by an inordinate love to the World, and this we see in the 19 verse. And when her Masters saw the hope of their gains was gone, that caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the Market place unto the Rulers.  
This poor Maid's Masters, instead of being thankful to God that bade gained the Soul of a poor Maid, th●t did practice, unlawful arts, he was enraged, because that their temporal, earthly gain was gone: I do verily th●nk that 'tis one of the surest pieces of Armour that the Devil hath (even this inordinate love to the World) for the defence of his own Kingdom; when the Devil sees that no course will serve to keep souls at a distance from Christ, than he betakes himself to this weapon, the inordinate love to the world, and that doth seldom or never, fail him; and this we may see in Demus; Demus he made a large profession of Christ, as you may see in the Epistle to Philemon, 24. v: and yet you see the Devil overcame him with this approved piece of armour, inordinate love the world, ancls did thereby bring him to Apostasy; 
2. Tim. 4.10.  well we see how far the Devil did prevail, not only to set this poor Maids Masters in a rage, but also to set the Rulers in a rage likewise; nay, he prevailed so far, that they were scourged, and they were thrown into Prison, and cast into very great afflictions, and had their feet made fast in the stocks: new, one would have thou●ht, that it was high time for the Devil to get into his Chariot of Triumph; now, one would have thought, that the enemy having such advantage, and those servants of God such disacvantage as they had, that now the Gospel would have been stopped in that place, and that the Devil should have lost no more of his Subjects; for my Friends, if you look in 1 he beginning of the Chapter, you shall see in the 9th. vers. there appeared to Paul a Vision, for to go over to Macedonia; without question this Vision which Paul saw, was a great encouragement to him, to go to M●●edonia; and now when he was come there, as soon as ever he had cast a Devil out of one Maid, presently they must be cast inro Prison; without question, had not God come in with fresh supplies of comfort, these poor men would have been at a great loss, they would have been much disheartened in their work? and this the Devid knew would be a very great discouragement to them; 
Ezek. 1.16.  but now my Friends, behold a wheel within a wheel, all this while the providence of God doth seem to go upon the wheels, as if he had not cared what became of his Servants, nor what became of his own glory, and of these poor souls that he had commanded these men to come into Macedonia to convert; but now my Friends here is a wheel within a wneel, here is the overruling, and the infinite wisdom of God, appearing in the very nick of time, catching the crafty in his own device, 
Job. 5.12.13.  and carrying the counsel of the wicked and a crafty Devil, that having vented his malice, and his rage against the servants of mod, thought himself now sure enough of the day; and that his Kingdom should not be molested in that place; but we see, that though the Devil is called an old Serpent, yet the Ancient of days did out-wit him; 
Rev. 20.2. Dan. 7.22. 1 Pet. 5.8.  and though the Devil is called a Lion for his strength and power, and a a roaring Lion for his fury; yet the Lion of the Tribe of Judah was too many for him, our Lord Christ did make this very ●ages of Satan, this discovery of his malice, a means to throw down the Devil's Kingdom, and to exalt and propagate h●s own; for we see, that when Paul and Silas was brought into the Prison, instead of being discouraged, they sung Psalms; instead of lying there until the Irons had entered into their souls, every Prisoners bands was unloosened; well, what follows: the Gaoler he comes in, and he finds the doors open, he thought his prisoners had been fled; and, now what course doth he take? he draws out his sword to murder himself, he had been doing what lay in him to murder his soul all the days of his life before, and now he was about, by one act, to murder both soul and body together.  
Now without question, the Devil that had encoutaged him in the exasperating of his cruelty on these worthy servants of God, he was now as ready to rejoice in the downfall of this poor Creature.  
My Friends, by the way I pray excuse this digression; O let it be a means to make us have very low contemptible thoughts of this ill conditioned Master the Devil, that when his servants have done him the utmost service they can, he is so far from having ever the better thoughts of them, and from loving of them the better, that he doth wait his opportunity, and doth prompt them on in those actions, that he may bring inevitable ruin and and destruction upon them. I do verily believe this, that when the Devil saw the poor man's sword drawn, and the point of it ready to be set again his breast, that he did rejoice to see the poor man ready to tumble headlong into everlasting flames; but now this wise God, 
Rom. 16.27. Rev. 1.14.  whose head is as white as wool, did frustrate the expectation of this subtle serpent, he did catch the crafty in his own devices; you need not question but the Devil did endeavour to help forward this cruty, which this Gaoler did exercise towards these servant's of God; and you may see this cruelty of his, God did so by his wise providence order it, that it did tend to his conversion.  
O happy was it for the poor moaler, that God did finish two works in one journey; that he came to deliver the bodies of his servants from a temporal prison, and did deliver the soul of the Gaoler from the pr●son of Hell-fire. Well now, in the verse before my Text, you see the Gaoler coming trembling before the Prisoners of hope, he that before thought Paul and Silas, not worthy to live on the earth, did now come, and fall down to the earth at their Feet, and said, what shall I do to be saved? O what a serious question was here? well now, the words in my Text, are an answer to this serious question; why says the Apostle, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. And thus being come to the words of my Text, I shall briefly divide them into two parts: First, here is an exhortation to a very serious and weighty duty, and that is, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2dly. Here is a prevailing excitation to stir him up to the performance of this duty in these words, and thou shalt be saved; in the exhortation we have several particulars, in this first general: First, here is the act, and that is believe. 2dly. Here is the object, upon the Lord Jesus Christ. 3dly. Take notice of the persons here, that is pressing this exhortation on him, and that was Paul and Silas: Those that had been scourged and imprisoned by him, they were now preaching the Gospel to him, and without question, with bowels of compassion to his precious souls. They did not now think of Revenge, and did not now, while this poor man was in a spiritual Agony, take there advantage against him, and say, thou hast been cruel to us, and now shift for thyself as well as thou canst; no, for first they hinder him from self-murder, and 2dly. they preach the Gospel to him, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; in the fourth and last place, the person exhorted to this Duty, and that was the moaler, one that had been a violent persecutor, and he is here exhorted to believe in Christ. From whence my Friends, take notice of this; that 'tis possible for the greatest sinner to get a broken heart; one would have thought, that if any man should have gone without a broken heart, and without Christ, and mercy, a persecuting Gaoler should, that had persecuted those bleffed servants of God, that did come on purpose among them, to do their souls good.  
By the way my Friends, take encouragement, you that are the greatest sinners here, (though not to continue in your sins) yet to wait on God in Gospel Ordinances, for you know not how soon God may be pleased to work on your Souls, and to turn you from Darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God; I shall stand no longer, before I come to the main Observation that I would present you with, which is this that every true believer shall be saved, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved; my Friends, I having elsewhere made an attempt on these words, and made entrance into them, I shall not now stand to spend much time in the Doctrinal part, but only confirm it by a few Scriptures, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, the first in Mark. 16.16. He that believeth, and is baptised, shall be saved; another we have in the 3d. Chap. of john, 16. v. For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life; and in the 36. v. of the same Chapter, he that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting Life; he hath it already in its incoation, and when he dies, he shall have it in its consummation. Now my Friends, I shall come to the Application, which is that I mainly intent, in setting upon this, subject this day; and in the first place, if every true believer, shall be saved, this is useful; first, by way of information. 2dly. By way of examination. Thirdly, By way of consolation. Fourthly, By way of exhortation. Fifthly, By way of Instruction. First, 'tis useful by way of Information, if every true Believer shall be saved, than it may inform us of the infinite and boundless love of God to all true Believers. O! well may the Apostle say in the 3d. of john, v. 16. God so saved the World. O my Friends, their is so much contained in this word so, as cannot be uttered by the Creature, for when Wisdom itself was speaking of it, he puts it off with a so, not as though Christ could not have manifested the ver● depth of the love of God, but because, though he could have done it, we being but finite Creatures, were not in a capacity to comprehend that boundless depth of this love of God to poor sinners: My Friends, I may allude to those words of Job. 11.7, 8, 9 Canst thou by searching, find out God? canst thou find ou● the Almighty unto perfection? it is as high as Heaven; what canst thou know? the measure whereof is longer than the Earth, broader than the Sea. We see such is the immensity and greatness of this love of God to poor sinners, that 'tis unspeakable and glorious, and I may say of it, that 'tis that, we cannot find out to perfection; 'tis as high as Heaven; what can we do? the measure thereof is longer than the Earth, and broader than the Sea. This love of God to poor sinners, it may appear in the highest Heaven, for not a Soul that is in glory, but is beholding to this boundless love of God for their salvation. God so loved the World, the Holy Ghost puts it off as it were with a question, as if it were that which cannot be uttered, nor indeed can it be uttered by the Creature; for if all the Angels in Heaven should undertake to set forth the love of God, in sending of Christ to die for poor sinners, they must have so much time as will run parallel with the Line of Eternity, or else they will, never accomplish their work; for, so long will this love of God extend itself in the highest degree the Creature is capable of.  
Oh my friends, was it not wonderful love in God, that he should send his Son to die for Rebels; that he that had but one natural Son, should give him up to the death for us that were proclaiming open War against him by our sins: Oh wonderful boundless love, well may the Apostle say indeed, in the 5th. of Romans, the 8th. v. Herein God commended his love towards us; in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us, that is the first. 2ly It may inform us of the glorious effects of the death and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ; for though the love of God was the impulsive cause of our salvation, yet it was the death and suffering, the active and passive obedience of Jesus Christ, that was the meritorious cause thereof; and therefore saith the Lord in Isaiah, 53. when the Holy Ghost had been there spending a whole Chapter in setting forth the sufferings of Christ for poor sinners, at length he comes to show the comfortable and the sweet, and glorious effects produced thereby, in v. 12. Therefore will I divide him a Portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death. Therefore will I divide him a Portion with the great; what great is this? Why 'tis the great Devil, that is so great in power, that he leads Captive the greatest part of the World; and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, which is the same mentioned before, which is common with the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament to enjeminate expressions, as if the Lord should have said, because a poor man hath sinned, therefore the Devil thinks for to have the Souls of all the Men and Women in the World; but saith God, I will divide him a Portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; as if the Lord should have said, my Son shall have some Souls, the Devil should not have all; for there is some that I am resolved shall be the fruit of my Sons Travel, as in the 11. v. of the 53 of Isa. He shall see of the Travel of his Soul, and shall be satisfied, and Alegorical Metaphor, taken from a Woman in Travel, that though she hath a sharp Travel, yet rejoiceth when a man is born into the world; so though Christ did endure sore pangs in working out the salvation of his Elect, yet he shall see of the Travel of his Soul; I will divide him a Portion with the great: God's people are called his Portion, as in Deut 32. v 9 The Lord's Portion is his People. Well saith God, my Son shall have his Portion in Men, and Women, which the Devil doth think to bring to everlasting ruin and destruction; well this is the second thing: O my Friends, that time and it ength would permit, for the more clearing up of it is great truth, to show the glorious effects of the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus christ, towards believers, for the effects of his death, doth extend itself to their adoption, and comfort, and consolation, and happiness, and glory hereafter; all these benefits, & many more are the glorious effects of the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then in the third place, if every true believer shall be received into glory, it may inform us how much we are engaged to love the good spirit of God, that doth seal up to our Souls, our interest in Christ; in whom alone 'tis, that we are brought to glory; 'tis the work of God's spirit, to show us our want of Christ; and when he hath thus convinced us of our sins, then 'tis the work of this blessed spirit of God to bare up our Souls under the dreadful apprehensions of God's wrath, that is due to us for sin; so 'tis the work of the blessed Spirit of God to help the Soul to see that Christ died for Sinners, and that he hath died for thee; O Soul, thou art a Believer, 'tis the holy spirit of God that doth comfort the Soul in trouble; that doth settle the Soul in fea●, that doth preserve the Soul in a persevering slate, when it would be turned to the right hand, or to the left; O my Friends, one may say of the Spirit of God, as David did of the City of God, glorious things are spoken of thee, so I may say, glorious things are spoken of thee, O blessed Spirit of God; and therefore as in Ephes. 4. v. 30. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed up to the day of Redemption. In the fourth place, if it be so, that every true Believer shall be saved, than it may inform us of the falthood of those erroneous Tennets, which hold forth of a possibility of falling away from true faith; Paul and Silas did net say to the Gaoler, if thou believest, and continuest to believe, thou shalt be saved, but if thou believest, thou shalt be saved, once a believer and ever a believer. My friends, I hope you have not forgot how I did endeavour in twelve particulars to show you from whence the believers perseverence doth arise, and all the Armenian Tennets in the world shall never be able to strike at the Root of any of these twelve foundations of a Believers perseverance. As first, thou that art a Believer, thou hast the eternal decree of God engaged for thy perseverance, 2 Tim. 2 chap. 18, 19 v. Heb. 6.17. Thou hast likewise the Eternal love of God, as another ground of thy perseverance, Jer. 31. v. 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with love and kindness have I drawn thee; my Friends, I wonder how men that pretend to have understanding, should be blinded so by the God of this world, to think that the same everlasting love, that did engage God to set his love on us, should ever be turned into hatred, so as to leave us to our wills, and so to perish for ever; likewise the wisdom of God is engaged herein; Christ makes it a mark of foolish man, that doth begin te build a house, & is not able to finish it; thou that art a believing Soul, thou art God's spiritual building; and if he should begin to build, and should not finish it, it would demonstrate great folly in the Divine Majesty, which to affert would be no less than blasphemy, God being the fountain of wisdom; likewise the faithfulness of God is engaged in it. 1 Thes. 5.24, 25. Faithful is he that hath called you who also will do it, will do what? you may read in the 23 v. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Till Christ shall come, by judgement, or by death, that Soul in whom this good work is begun, shall be carried on, Phillip 1. v. 6. He that hath begun a good work, will finish it, and we shown likewise 'tis clear from the new Covenant of grace, that he hath entered into a new Covenant with the people, and he hath therein engaged himself, that he will put his fear into our hearts, that we shall not departed from him, Jer. 32.40. Likewise the power of God is engaged herein to preserver every true believer from total falling away from God, 2 Fet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation. Likewise also the glory of the Son of God is engaged in it; Christ is the foundation of this spiritual building, he is the chief Corner Stone. Now my Friends, I pray mind it, whensoever a house falls, the foundation is usually defective, and the Corner stone will be sure to fall: nay, he is the top-stone too, as you may see in Zachary. Now Christ being all these in the spiritual superstructure, it must be, that Jesus Christ must fall himself, whensoever a true believer doth finally, shall off from God. Again, we shown likewise it doth arise from the influence, that the blessed Spirit of God hath on the hearts of those that are believers, as in the 1 Joh. 2. v. 20. But you have an Unction from the Holy One, and you know all things; he had been showing before what a sight of Antichrists and Apostates there were; but saith he, you have received an Unction from the Holy One; you have that which they want, they had only an outside profession, but they wanted the inward teachings of the spirit, as in the 26 and 27th. ver. Isa. 59.19. You may there see how God doth keep a soul in a persevering frame, So shall they fear the Name of the Lord from the West, & his glory from the Rising of the Sun, when the enemy shall come in like a Flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him. The words are very emphatical, whether they do point at the Devil, or at the corruptions of our own hearts, which are the greatest persecutors of the godly; 'tis a military expression, taken from Soldiers, when they lift up their Ensigns in defiance of their Enemies; and as Christ saith, upon this Rock have I built my Church, that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, so saith the Spirit, here when the Enemy breaks in like a Flood, then shall the Spirit of the Lord lift up his Standard against them; Isa. 30. v. 21. You may see how the spirit doth proceed in high work, to keep the Soul in a persevering frame, whensoever the poor Soul is ready to turn to the Right hand, or to the Left, than he doth whisper a sweet word in their ear, this is the way, walk in it, and truly that is a notable word, Isa. 61. v. 8. And I will direct their work in truth, 'tis God by the influence of his spirit, directing of our works in truth, that doth keep us from falling away from God. I hope my Friends, these are enough to confirm this fourth truth, that true believers cannot fall off from God. Fifthly, It may inform us of the vast difference that is between the state of true Believers, and the state of Unbelievers; for if you look in those Scriptures wk mentioned, Mark. 16. v. 16. He that believeth, and is baptised, shall be saved; but he that believeth not. shall be damned, and so likewise in John 3. there you may see the difference set down, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not on the Son, shall not see life, but the Wrath of God abideth on him.  
The true believer is said to have everlasting life, that is, he hath the assurance of it sooner or later; he hath it in this life, in its incoation, though not in its consummation. I pray my Friends, if you remember no more, carry away this, that if Heaven, and Eternal life is not within you, while you are in this world, you shall never enter into Heavenly or Eternal life, when you shall leave this world; Now herein appears the vast difference that is between the state of a Believer and an Unbeliever; as a believer hath the Heaven of Spiritual Light from God, and the same spiritual love to God, & the same spiritual joy in God, and the same spiritual Communion with God, now in this life, as they shall have in the life to come, in respect of the nature and quality thereof, though not in respect of the quantity; so likewise a wicked man hath the same spiritu●l darkness in his understanding, and the same irregularality in his affection, and the same contumacy in his will now, as he will have in Hell, in respect of the nature and quality thereof, though not in respect of the degree and quantity; now hellish Drunkards make themselves Drunk with Wine and strong bear, and in Hell God will make them pledge the Devil at a full Cup of his wrath; which being powered into the Cup of his Indignation, will make them Drunk for ever and ever; the Hellish Adulterer burns in his Lust here, and God will make him burn in Hell for it hereafter: As heavenly Saints love God, and propound his glory as their ultimate end in all their duties; so heillish Sinners hate God, and propound their own glory as their ultimate end in duties; as believers are daily more and more complete in virtue, so unbelievers are daily more and more  with Vice; and thus we see the vast difference that is between believers and unbelievers in this life; and look upon them at the hour of death, and see what a vast difference there will be then between them, as in Prov. 14.32. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the Righteous hath hope on his death; and look upon them at the Resurrection, and see what a vast difference there is between them, as in Dan. 12. v. 2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the Earth, shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt; and look upon them at the denunciation of that dreadful sentence, and see the vast difference that is between them, as in Mat. 25.33, 34. where the Righteous & the believer is set on his right hand, and the unbeliever on the left, Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father; come poor soul, thou hast called me to come to thee many a time, in cuty then come thou now to me; the world looked upon thee to be a cursed Creature, but I pronounce thee blessed; it may be, whilst thou wert in the world, the Foxes had a privilege above thee, they had holes to hid their heads in; But now there is a Kingdom prepared for thee, but now see what will become of unbelievers, as in the 41. v. here is a dreadful sentence passed against them. Depart from me, here is a separation from all joy and happiness; you said to me in your life-time, depart from 〈◊〉, for we desire not the knowledge of the wars, now depart from me ye Cursed, into everlasting fire, there is the extremity of pain and torment, thou wast one that did burn in thy lusts here, and thou wast one that was inflamed with thy lusts, or with wine and strong drink, or with hatred against me; now go into everlasting fire, it was the Devil whose voice thou wouldst obey, and whose work thou wouldst do, and now thou shalt have enough of him: now here you may see the vast difference between the state of all true believers and unbelievers.  
Now believers, thy shall cease from all their mourning, and all their sorrow she'll be ●●●●ed into joy, than thou shalt have joy without sorrow, and health without sickness, and life without death, and shall have the shinings of God's Countenance, without the least mixture of the hiding of his face, and as for thou that a●t an unbeliever, what wilt thou do, 2 vast d fference there will be between thy condition and a true believers, when thou art cast into everlasting flames, which I wish that none here may experience the torments of, when thou shalt never more have the least hope of the least Ray of the Son of Consolation shineing on thee: Oh than what woe and terror will surprise thy Soul, and what unspeakable horror, to think that thou hast been all thy life time heaping up to thyself wrath against the day of wrath.  
I should have proceeded to other inferences, but I shall defer them till the Afternoon: Consider what hath been said, and the Lord give you understanding.  
The end of the Morning Sermon.   

THen in the sixth place, if it be so, that all true believers shall be saved, it may inform us of the great necessity we have of hearing the Word Preached, though my Friends, God is able to convert without means; he is a free agent, he can work how he will, and when he will, but Preaching is the ordinary means whereby God doth turn Sinners from Satan to God, 2 Chron. 4 4, 5. where you may see there is a molten Sea, which was a Type of Christ, it stood upon 12. Oxen, three looking towards the North, and three looking towrds the West, and three looking towards the South, and three looking towards the East; and if you look into the Revelations, there you shall see the Elect shall come from the East, and from the West, and from the North, and from the South, and there is twelve doors open in the new Jerusalem, three North, three West, three South, and three East, Christ he is the Molten Sea, through whom 'tis we are brought to Life, he it is that is the Sea of Grace and mercy for poor Sinners: therefore, if you would have this Sea of Grace, the Lord Jesus Christ, we must have an eye unto the twelve Oxen, the twelve Apostles, and their successors, which are the Ministers of the Gospel, and faith the Apostle in Rev. 10.17. So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. My Friends, I durst not limit the Holy One of Israel, so as to say, there is no way to convert a Soul, but by Preaching of the Gospel; but this is the ordinary way God is pleased to make use of, for the opening of their eyes, that are blinded by the god of this world; for we are all naturally blind, and we must lie by the way side, to be cured of this blindness; the Preaching of the word, they are Gods Pools of Bethesda, whereby he doth cure those that are troubled with spiritual lameness, and those that come into Congregations possessed with Devils, as in Mark. 1.23.24.25. He casts out a Devil of Pride out of one Soul, and a Devil of Covetuousness out of another Soul, and the Devil of Lust out of another, and those devilish Lusts Christ doth cast out while we ere in the Synagogue.  
Then 7thly. It may inform us what enemies they are to our immortal Souls, that go about to deprive us of the means of Grace; you see Preaching is the ordinary means for the Conversion of Souls, so they must be soul-murderers that go about to hinder the preaching of the Gospel.  
Eighthly. It may inform us of the uncharitableness and sensoriousness of those persons that for small differences from them, in circumstances of Religion, will send whole Congregations to everlasting perdition, that if they cannot comply with them in every circumstance, they are presently all damned: But we see that it is not being of this or that persuasion, that will bring us to Heaven, but believing in Jesus Christ; but yet my Friends, though such a thing is desirable, and we hope will be when the Lion shall lie down with the Lamb, and the Leopard shall eat grass with the Ox, yet in the mean while, let us not pass such uncharitable censures on those that cannot comply with us in every circumstantial point in Religion; you see faith is the main thing that the Apostle drives at; believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that is the main thing that is to be looked at; I shall now come to an use of examination, if it be so that none but true believers shall be saved, than it lies upon us to see whether we are such believers or not: My Friends, if any of us were but to lay out a little money upon a purchase, though of a little value, how circumspect should we be, lest our evidences should prove false, and this care is not discommendable neither; but how will this condemn the practice of the greatest part of the World, that are so strict and careful about trifles, and neglect the concerns of their immortal Souls; I shall endeavour to lay down some Rules and Trials, which by the assistance of God's spirit, we may know whether we are true believers, and so consequently such as are in a state of Salvation. First, wouldst thou know whether thou art a true believer, then try whether thou dost know God, for we will never venture any great concernment upon a person that we know little of; thou that art a believer, thou hast greater concerns to venture on God, than ten thousand worlds; methinks I hear some say, what do you think we don't know God to be our Father, and Christ our Redeemer. My Friends have you any reality of the knowledge of God in your Souls: have you a practical knowledge of him, see what our Lord Christ saith, Joh. 17.3. And this is Life Etarnal, that they may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent; the Practical knowledge of God is Eternal life, in its incoation. My Friends, do you know God so in his power, as to fear him; and in his mercy to love him, and in his omnisciency, not to commit any sin in secret, though the eye of the Creator be upon thee, this was a sign that Joseph had a true knowledge of God, that when he was tempted to sin, which possibly might have been hid from the eyes of the World, yet he dared not to commit it, but on the contrary, if you know so little of God in his mercy, that it doth not draw out your love to him; and know him so little in his Justice, that you see no need of Jesus Christ to be your Redeemer, and you know him not in his faithfulnesses, that you dare not trust him, then 'tis a sign thou art an unbeliever: canst thou say with Paul, I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim. 12.  
2ly. If thou art one, that art a true believer than thou art one that hast an endeared affection ro God; when a Soul believes that God hath sent his dear Son to die for him, and this comes to be realized to the Soul, that soul is set all in a flame with love to God. Friends, observe this, that proportionable to the apprehensions we have of the love of God to us, in Jesus Christ, such is the manifestation of our love to God; what is the reason the Martyrs have embraced the flames with such courage, which at other times it may be, a few days before, they were ready to sink at the apprehensions of the bitter cup they were to drink, but the clear sense they had of the love of God to their souls. We know this my Friends, that the greater and clearer evidences we have of that good, which at present we do receive from a Friend, o● hopes to receive from them for the future, it doth abundantly stir up our affections, and inflame our love towards them, if we look into the Corinthians, we may see that God hath put Faith and Love together; and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder, 1 Cor. 13.13. And now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity, Gal 5, 6. Neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. Friends, how do you find it, what love have you to, the worship of God, & to the Ordinances of God, and to the people of God; do your souls bear you witness, that you can say of the word of God, as David did, that 'tis sweeter than the honey, or the honeycomb; in the 3d. place, Try it by your hope likewise; a true faith doth always accompany a true hope: 'Tis true Friends, we had need be criticol about these things, for go and ask an unbeliever whether he loves God, and he will answer you, 'tis pity he should live else; and again ask them, whether they hope to have Salvation by Christ alone; yes say they, who do you think we should have it from besides, 1 Joh. 3.3. But what saith the Apostle of this hope, and every man that hath this hope, he purifies himself as he is pure. My Friends, all the difference, that is between faith and hope is this. Faith doth respect the cetainty of the promise, and hope doth respect the goodness of the thing promised, and where one of these are, there they are both, for they both go together; but now you may say what is the meaning of this purifying himself; as he is pure, can a●y one be so pure as God is: My Friends, 'tis altogether impossible, that the Creature should attain to that degree of perfection and purity that is in God, pure signifies to be without mixture; a person may be said to be purely evil, as God is purely good; he purifies himself as he is pure, that is, he hath not a heart for God, & another for the world; he is really such as he seems to be, he is without hypocrisy. 4thly. Again, wouldst thou know the soundness of thy Faith, then try i● by thy constant implacable hatred of sin; this we may see laid down as a true mark of Faith, Acts 15.9. Purifying their hearts by Faith: Faith doth present the soul with a Crucified Jesus, as Crucified for it in particular; the formal Professor pleaseth himself with this, that Christ died for sinners, and ●e are all sinners. My Friends, there is nothing that gives such a mortal wound to sin, in the soul of believers, as when they do apprehend that Christ did suffer such grievous things, for its self in particular. 5thly. wouldst thou know, whether thy faith be right, then see if thou hast a high esteem of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 2.7. Unto you therefore that believe, he is precious, or he is a honour; a true believer, he looks upon it as his honour, that he is a member of Christ's mystical body, that he is a branch in that blessed Vine; he looks upon it as his honour, that Christ will look upon him as his Servant; as the Emperor Theodosius said, he looked upon it to be more honour to him, that he was a Servant of Jesus Christ, then that he was Emperor of the World. But I have seen such Christians that would be very forward to own the people of God, and Messengers of Christ, in times of prosperity; but when the ways of God hath been persecuted, & the Ordinances of Christ hath been trampled under feet, than they would look upon them, as if they had never seen them before: My Friends, this is a bad sign of a true Faith, and of a good Christian, to you that believe he is an honour; my Friends, is Christ precious to you in all his Offices, as King, Priest, and Prophet; thou that art a believer, I can tell how 'tis with thee, as well as thyself; thou dost never more rejoice, then when thou canst experience the power of Christ in thy Soul, in subduing of thy Corruptions, and bringing under the Old man; and is he precious to thee in all his attributes? a wicked man, God is precious to him in his mercies, but as for the power of God, and the Justice of God, they cannot endure to hear of; let a Minister go and tell them of the terrors of God, they will presently cry, Oh there is a Legal Preacher indeed, enough to make one run mad; & in a word, to a true believer, Christ is precious to him in all his Offices and attributes, and in all his providential dispensations, and in all his promises, and in his threaten, he is precious to every true believer. Again, sixthly, wouldst thou know whether thou art indeed a true believer, then see whether thou hast the witness of it in thyself, 1 John 5.6. He that believeth, hath the Witness in himself; Oh but methinks I hear some poor soul ready to say; Oh, if it must be so, I am in a worse condition than I was ware of; I thought I could experienced some of the other Trials, but I have so little of the spirits witness in me, that I question whether I have any true faith: Now the Devil is very subtle, as he will persuade a wicked man, that he hath the marks of a true believer, so he will persuade a true believer, that he hath them not, when he hath them; as for example, suppose a person is in great trouble, for fear they don't love God, they come into the Congregation, and there it may be, God hath directed his Minister to such a subject, where he hath been treating on such a truth of God's love to us, and of our love to him; if God hath loved thee, than he hath subdued thy Corruptions, these little Foxes he hath taken and destroyed; now it may be the spirit of God hath set home this word on the soul, and that he can say, this hath been my condition. Now Friends, there was the witness that we are speaking of Rom. 8.16. The Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the Children ●f God. Now my Friends, you that are so ready to say, that you have not the witness of God in you; wouldst thou part with that little glimmering hope thou hast of true Faith, for the greatest Estate that a Wicked man hath in the world? to saith the soul, I would not; and that is a sign that thou hast the witness in thee, though the spirit of God hath not cleared it up so to thee, as thou desirest but be thankful to God for it, and take heed thou dost not provoke the Lord to take away that little comfort thou hast.  
Eighthly. If thou art one that hath true faith, thou mayest know it by this, it doth so realize the glory that is to be revealed to thy soul, that it makes thee earnest in the prosecution of the means that God hath appointed in order to the attainment of glory; this we shall make to appear by comparing two Scriptures together, in the 11th. of Hebrews, you may see that Faith is the evidence of things not seen, and the substance of things hoped for, now if you do but look all along in this Chapter, he comes to show what lorious effects Faith doth produce in those that it doth realize the glory that i● to come unto them; he telleth us 'tis the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, that is not seen with an eye of aeson, Luk. 13.23, 24. then said one to him, Lord, are there few that he saved? now see, Ch●ist doth not answer him according to his Question, but doth propose to him an exhortation▪ to stir him up to a weighty duty, strive to enter in at the strate gate; as if Christ had said, what needest thou to trouble thyself whether many or few shall be saved? if thou art one that strives like a man in an Agony (for so it may be rendered) to thrust in at the strait gate, that will be an evidence unto thee, that thou art one that shall be saved. Friends, how doth the hope of glory spur you on to duty: doth thy Faith realize the things of another world to you, that it makes you run in the paths of God's commandments. But if on the contrary, if thou dost pretend to have Faith, and yet notwithstanding, go on in a formal lazy profession of Religion; 'tis a sign thou never had the things of another world realized to thee; such as are our evidences for the attainment of future good, such will be our endeavours, in the means whereby we are to attain it, if thou hast a well-grounded hope for salvation in the world to come, it will make thee earnest in thy endeavours for the attainment of it. In the next place, another sign of true Faith is this, if thou art a true believer, than thy faith doth enable thee to overcome the world; this we may see in the 12 Rev. and there appeared a great wonder in Heaven, a Woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet. By the Women we understand the whole Church of God, and every particular member thereof, and by the Moon we understand the World.  
And as the Moon is very unstable in her morions, and always increasing and decreasing, so there is no certainty at all in Creature enjoyments. And the Sun is never eclipsed, but when the Moon comes between us, and the Sun; and so my Friends, the Moon, this woe l, is that which doth make an interposition between God and his people; how doth the joys of this world eat out the comforts which we should have enjoyed. My Friends, 'tis a hard thing to keep the world under our feet, for 'tis a round thing, and I will tell you how true believers do come to get the world under their Feet.  
You that have once enjoyed the glorious beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining into your souls, the pitiful things of this Woe l would seem as nothing: Now my Friends see how it is with you, which is greater in your eye, the Sun or the Moon; which if it were put to your choice, would you take to live in the midst of prosperity without God, or in the midst of adversity with God.  
Again, in the next place, try thy Faith by thy Repentance; I know there is much dispute concerning this, some hold that Faith is wrought before Repentance, and some on the contrary; but truly my Friends, I am of neither of their judgements, for my judgement is, that all graces are wrought in the soul at one and the same ●ime; & though Repentance is made manifest in the soul before Faith, Mark 1.15. Repent you, and believe the Gospel; Friends, what Repentance have you got, I thank God say you, I have Repent long ago, though I cannot talk as some can, and make so many words, I cannot commit any sin, but my heart smites me for it: Oh my Friends, there is many sorts of Repentance that a sinner may have, and yet may go without a true Repentance; there is an over-lay and slight repentance, and such a repentance had Ahab, and then there is despairing repentance, and such a repentance bad Judas: but for this Evangelical repentance, 'tis such a grace that few attain to it, not scarce one among twenty, and without this, Evangelical repentance, there is no true grace in the soul; and I shall endeavour to show, that Faith and Repentance is wrought together for repentance without faith, will end in desperation; and faith without repentance will end in presumption.  
In the last place, if thou art one that hath indeed true faith, thou art made willing to suffer whatsoever God should be pleased to inflict on thee, this saith the Apostle, where he speaks there concerning persecution Phil. 2.29. For unto you 'tis given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; this true Faith, it makes the soul willing to suffer for God, whatsoever the wicked adversaries of the people of God shall be pleased to lay on them; O says the soul, shall I be unwilling to endure a little suffering for his sake, that was exposed to such suffering for me: O saith the soul, shall not I be willing to suffer a little affliction from God, whether poverty, wants▪ or sickness, or the like, seeing the Lord Jesus Christ was contented for my sake to a be man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief, for to suffer both hunger and thirst, and shall not we be willing to suffer for God, whatsoever he is pleased to call us to, seeing he hath pleased to do so much for us, as he hath done.  
And so much for this Use of Examination; I should have proceeded to a Use of Consolation on to true believers, for this Doctrine affoards a spring of comfort unto such which I should only hint at, first by way of privation, showing from what they are delivered: econdly by way of provision, what unexpressable & unconceivable glory, God hath laid up in store for them, which I would have willingly enlarged upon: There was likewise on my spirit, a Use of Exhortation, in which I would have moved those who have been participaters of this precious Faith. 1. To be thankful for it, to him, from whom they have received it, as the gift of God. 2. To let nothing be wanting for the nourishing, and for the strengthening of it, by the Application of former experiences of God's goodness, & also to be careful that they wound not, not weaken their Faith by running themselves into those straits and exigencies which they have not a clear and special call unto, either upon a civil, or religious account; but I must pass by those things, because my time is already passed by, and conclude with one Use of Exhortation, or rather of invitation to those which are yet out of Christ; and oh that God would be pleased to put some word into my mouth, which might beget in thee an earnest desire, and panting after an interest in Jesus Christ, the glorious object of our faith! oh that I could hear some of you crying our with the poor Gaoler, what shall I do to be saved; in the time of sickness, who will not cry out, what shall I do to be restored to my health, the want of outward mercies are quickly felt, but how few are sensible of their want in spirituals; beware likewise that the Devil ensnare you into desperation, by persuading t●ee that thou hast no faith, and therefore art a reprobate, for there is not a Saint on earth, nor an Angel in Heaven, to whom God's final reprobation is revealed, touching any particular person yet in this life, who hath not sinned the sin against he Holy Ghost; be not therefore by these wiles of Satan discouraged from waiting on the Ordinances, or make thee say I have no hope, I have loved strangers, and after them I will go; but remember this, that as great sinners as thou have attained to this Faith, and are now in glory with the Lord; but on the other hand, let not presumption seize your heart; for of these two snares of the Devil, I may justly say what was said of Saul and David in another case, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands, so I may likewise say, that despair hath slain his thousands, but presumption hath ten thousands: oh my Friends, take heed of presumptions, prôcrastination in the great concerns of your precious souls; 'tis the present time that God calls for, 'tis to day, if you will hear his voice harden not your heart, Psal 95. acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace thereby, good shall come unto thee, Job. 22.21. you that are in the prime strength and flower of your years, forget not that momento, to remember thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, Eccles. 12.1. Agree with thine Adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him, Mat. 5.25. Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6.3. On poor soul, whilst thou flatterest thyself with future Repentance, thou wouldst do well to consider both the shortness and uncertainty of thy life, thou mayst resolve to repent tomorrow, and before tomorrow thou mayst be in Hell; therefore poor soul, I do beseech thee, as if God did beseech thee by me, slip no present opportunity of thy hearing the word preached, where it is preached in the power and purity of it; for there mayst thou expect the presence of God with it and his blessing upon it; and though thou shouldest come there with the Devil of unbelief in thy heart, thou knowest not but there God may cast him out, and if it shall be thus with thee in thy waiting on God's Ordinances, that there shall be any stir on thy heart, and the word fe● home upon thee.  
Take heed the pleasures, or cares of the world do not choke it, but follow home with serious meditation, and beg of God to confirm it with his power; and thou knowest not how soon God may be pleased to set it home with such power as may make thee cry out, what shall I do to be saved; and though the work may be somewhat strange to thy corrupt nature, yet if God be pleased to undertake the work, it shall prevail, and then what reason hast thou poor soul to bless the Lord for his unspeakable mercy to thee-wards, to bring thee from darkness unto light, from the power of Satan unto God▪ and it will not be long  thou shalt be for ever adoring the riches of Gods free grace towards thee in Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, the highest and ultimate object of our Faith, and the holy spirit, be all honour, and glory, and praise, Amen.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
PAge 29. line 18. for he'll suffer, read he have suffered, p. 48. l. ●, 10. for make the ears thin and empty, r. make thin the ears of thy holy Conversation: p. 11. l. 4, & 5. are misplaced: p. 111. l. 19 for living, read loving, l. 20. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 21. l. 21. for Lamasebachthani, read Lama-gnazabtanie, p. 13. l. 12. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 21. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉