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which gives proof that the heart is sprinkled from an evil conscience, as well as the body washed with pure water, Heb. x. 22, showing itself by the answer which a good conscience makes in believing the truth, 1 Peter iii. 21, consenting unto, and embracing the new covenant, whereof baptism is a seal, of which anciently men of years made profession when they were baptized. Neither is it any thing worth, to have the form of godliness in profession, when the power thereof is denied by an evil conversation, 2 Tim. iii. 5. For however such as these are most apt to claim an interest in Christ, Luke xiii. 26, yet so long as their faith is not a particular faith, drawing with it affiance, and sole reliance on Christ for salvation, declaring its truth and life by endeavouring to perform the new covenant on their part, by new obedience, in all manner of good works; our Saviour professes that he knows them not, but bids them depart from him, because they were workers of iniquity, Luke xiii. 27.

But many of these presume further, that their faith is a lively and saving faith, because, as they think, they have repented, and are become new creatures. And all because they had such enlightening as by nature man cannot attain unto; nay, the word has affected them much, and somewhat altered them from what they were, namely, (1.) When they were hearing a sermon, or when God's rod was over them, they have mourned, wept, and showed some kind of humiliation. (2.) At the hearing of God's precious promises in the gospel, in the glad tidings of salvation, they have felt a taste of the heavenly gift, and of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come. And (3.) They find that they do not commit many of those sins which they were used to commit; and that they do many good duties towards God and man, which they were used not to do.

But what of all this? These men, as near as they come, yet going no further, are far from salvation. For the common gifts of God's Spirit, given unto men in the ministry of the gospel, may elevate a man higher, and carry him further towards heaven, than