path omitted, so far as I could ever read, or gather from my own or other experience; so that it may not unfitly be termed," a spiritual daybook of all the passages between the spirit of God and the soul, in its regeneration work;" which is no less profitable than delightful for the believer to be reading over the records of God's love manifested in the gospel: what care and cost he took with him to recover him out of the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; for trial brings truth to light, and those things which, through many clouds intercepting, may have lost their remembrance in the soul, are here clearly discovered that they have been; although for the present, the believer cries out, how is the gold become dim! how is the fine gold changed; and the looking over past experiences brings a renewed savour, and a spiritual relish, of all those things upon the heart to them who have thus tasted that the Lord is good; at least supports the soul under the want of sensible feeling, whilst it calls to remembrance the days of old, the years of his right hand. But I have done, and yet methinks I can never write enough of the excellency and utility of this piece. The Lord make it is so profitable to others as it hath been to me. To his blessing I leave both you and it, and remain,

Your true

Christian friend,
G. B.

CHRISTIAN'S GREAT INTEREST.

INTRODUCTION.

SINCE there be so many people living under the ordinances, pretending, without ground, to a special interest in Christ, and to his favour and salvation, as is clear, Matt. vii. 22, 23. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt. xxv. 11, 12. “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; but he answered and said, verily I say unto you, I know ye not," Luke viii. 24. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." And since many, who have good ground of claim to Christ, are not established in the confidence of his favour, but

remain in the dark, without comfort, hesitating concerning the reality of godliness in themselves, and speaking little to the commendation of religion to others, especially in the time of their straits. I shall speak a little to two things of the greatest concernment: the one is, how a person shall know if he hath a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he doth lay just claim to God's favour and salvation? The other is, in case a person fall short in the foresaid trial, what course he shall take for making sure God's friendship and salvation to himself.

QUESTION. How shall a man know if he hath a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he hath, or may lay claim justly to God's favour and salvation?

CHAP. I.

A man's interest in Christ may be known.

SECT. 1. It is a matter of the highest importance, and is to be determined by scripture.

BEFORE we speak directly to the question, we shall premise some things, to make way for the answer.

FIRST, that a man's interest in Christ, or his gracious state, may be known, and that with more certainty than people do conjecture; yea, and the knowledge of it may be more easily attained unto than many do imagine: for not only hath the Lord commanded men to know their interest to him, as a thing attainable, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. "Examine your

selves whether ye be in the faith," &c. 2 Peter i. 10." Give diligence to make your calling and election sure," &c. but many of the saints have attained unto the clear persuasion of their interest in Christ, and in God as their own God. How often do they call him their God and their portion? and how persuaded is Paul, "That nothing can separate him from the love of God," Rom. viii. 38, 39. Therefore the knowledge of a man's gracious state is attainable.

And this knowledge of it, which may be attained, is no fancy and bare conceit, but it is most sure; "Doubtless thou art our father," saith the prophet, in name of the church, Isaiah lxiii. 16. It is clear thus: (1). That can be no fancy, but a very sure knowledge, which doth yield to a rational man, comfort in most real straits but so doth this; 1 Sam. xxx. 6. "When the people spake of stoning David, he encouraged himself in the Lord his God." Psal. iii. 6. he saith there, "He will not be afraid of ten thousands that rise against him." Compare these words with ver. 3. of that psalm, "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me: my glory, and the lifter up of my head." Psal. xxvii. 1. 3. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." (2). That is a sure knowledge of a thing which maketh a wise merchant, sell all he hath that he may keep it sure; that maketh a man forego children, lands, life, and suffer the spoiling of all joyfully: but so doth