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he had power; this man, whatsoever hardness he feels, his heart is soft, not hard. The apostle had a heart held in, and clogged with the flesh, and the law of his members, that it made him to think himself wretched, because he could not be fully delivered from it; yet we know his heart was a sound heart, Rom. vii. 24.

Among those that are sanctified, there remains more hardness in the heart of some than in others; and what with the committing of gross sins, and cursory and slight doing of good duties, and through neglect of means to soften it, the same men's hearts are harder at one time than at another, of which they have cause to complain, and for which they have cause to be humbled, and to use all means to soften it; but it is false and dangerous, hence to conclude that such are not in a state of grace because of such hardness in the heart; for as God's most perfect children on earth know but in part, and believe but in part; so their hearts are softened but in part, 1 Cor. xiii. 9.

SECT. 11. FEARS OF APOSTASY, REMOVED.

There yet remain many, who though they cannot reply to the answers given to take away their false fears and doubts; but are forced to yield, that they find they now are, or at least have been in a state of grace; yet, this they fear, that they are already fallen, or shall not persevere, but shall fall away before they die.

(1.) What kind of Christians may apostatize.

Concerning falling away from grace, first know, that of those that give their names to Christ in outward profession, there are two sorts:

The first sort are such, who have received only the common gifts of the Spirit; as first, illumination of the mind to know the mystery of salvation by Christ, and truly to assent unto it, Heb. vi. 4, 5.

Secondly, Together with this knowledge, is wrought in them by the same Spirit a lighter impression upon