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has given to his ministers the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in due season to the soul that is weary, Isa. l. 4. Should not the judgments of these be regarded? But, which is most of all, God has not only given to ministers skill, to discern your state better than yourselves, but it is the duty of their office to declare to you, being penitent, the remission of your sins, John xx. 23; and to assure you, that, if it be with you, according as you thus relate your state to be, you are in God's favour, and in a state of grace.

I mean not that you should rest your faith upon any man's judgment; but when judicious men, being in better case to judge of you, than you are to judge of yourselves, shall by the word of God, and by authority from him, give you hope and comfort, you ought to comfort yourselves by these means.

Thus much I have said, that your judgment might be fitted to understand aright in what state you stand; which, if you will observe, it will be an excellent means towards the obtaining of peace.

Now I will show you by what means, you may have just cause and matter of your judgment to work upon, whence it may give you peace and comfort.

SECT. 4. MEANS TO GET AND PRESERVE TRUE PEACE.

If you would have peace and comfort in your souls, then first and chiefly you must get and cherish the Spirit of God in you, that it may speak peace to you, and may give you matter for your spirit to work upon; whereby you may conclude, you are in God's favour. For, though I grant, that you can have no sure evidences of your adoption, say whatever can be said, until your spirits can witness that you are God's children; yet your spirits are not to be trusted in their witnessing, but only so far as the Spirit of God does witness to your spirits that it is so; that you are indeed his children. Whatsoever comfortable apprehension a man may have in himself of his good estate in grace, he can have no true joy and comfort, but by