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the fame beareth much fruit.' Now, as our abiding,in Chrift presupposeth three things, 1. That we have heard the joyful found of the gospel, making offer of Chrift to us, who are loft finners by the law; 2. That we have heartily embraced the gracious offer of Chrift; 3. That by receiving of him we are become the fons of God, John. i. 12. and are incorporated into his mystical body, that he may dwell in us, as his temple, and we dwell in him, as in the refidence of righteousness and life: So our abiding in Christ importeth other three things, 1. An employing of Chrift in all our addreffes to God, and in all our undertakings of whatsoever piece of fervice to him. 2. A contentedness with his fufficiency, without going out from him to feck righteousness, or life, or furniture in any case, in our own or any of the creatures worthiness. 3. A fixedness in our believing in him, a fixedness in our employing and making use of him, and a fixedness in our contentment in him, and adhering to him, fo that no allurement, no temptation of Satan or the world, no terror nor trouble may be able to drive our fpirits from firm adherence to him, or from the constant avowing of his truth, and obeying his commands, who hath loved us, and given himself for us; and in whom, not only our life is laid up, but also the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily, by reafon of the fubftantial and perfonal union. of the divine and human nature in him.

Hence let every watchful believer, for strengthning himself in faith and obedience, reafon after this manner.

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WHOSOEVER doth daily employ Christ Jefus, for

cleanfing his confcience and affections from the guilti-. "nefs and filthinefs of fins against the law, and for enabling "him to give obedience to the law in love, he hath the evi"dence of true faith in himself.

"But I (may every watchful believer fay) do daily employ Jefus Chrift, for cleanfing my confcience and affections from "the guiltinefs and filthinefs of fins against the law, and for enabling of me to give obedience to the law in love.

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"Therefore I have the evidence of true faith in myself.” And hence alfo, let the fleepy and fluggish believer reason for his own up-ftirring, thus;

"Whatsoever is neceffary for giving evidence of true faith, "I ftudy to do it, except I would deceive myfelf and perish.

"But, to employ Chrift Jefus daily, for cleansing of my "confcience and affections from the guiltinefs and filthiness "of fins against the law, and for enabling me to give obedi"ence to the law in love, is neceffary for evidencing of true faith in me.

"Therefore, this I must study to do, except I would de"ceive myfelf and perifh.

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And, Lastly, Seeing Chrift himself hath pointed this forth, as an undoubted evidence of a man elected of God unto life, and given to Jefus Chrift to be redeemed, if he come unto him,' that is, close covenant, and keep communion with him, as he teacheth us, John vi. 37. faying, All that the Father hath given me, fhall come to me; and him that cometh to 'me, I will in nowife caft out:' let every person, who doth not in earnest make ufe of Chrift for remiffion of fin, and amendment of life, reafon hence, and from the whole premifes, after this manner, that his confcience may be awakened;

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"Whofoever is neither by the law, nor by the gofpel, fo convinced of fin, righteoufpefs and judgment, as to make "him come to Chrift, and employ him daily for remission of "fin, and amendment of life; he wanteth not only all evidence "of faving faith, but also all appearance of his election, fo long as he remaineth in this condition.

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"But I (may every impenitent perfon fay) am neither by the law nor gofpel fo convinced of fin, righteousness "and judgment, as to make me come to Chrift, and employ "him daily for remiffion of fin, and amendment of life.

"Therefore I want, not only all evidence of faving faith, "but also all appearance of my election, fo long as I remain in this condition.

FINIS.

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As are expedient for Juftifying the Union after-mentioned.

Jofh. xxiv. 25. So Joshua made a Covenant with the People that Day, and fet them a Statute, and an ordinance in Shechem.

2 Kings xi. 17. And Jehoiada made a Covenant between the Lord, and the King and the people; that they fhould be the Lords People; between the King alfo and the People.

Ifa. xliv. 5. One fhall fay, I am the Lords: And another shall call himfelf by the name of Jacob: And another shall subscribe with his Hand unto the Lord, and furname himself by the Name of Ifrael.

ASSEMBLY at Edinburgh, August 30. 1639, Seff. 23.

Act ordaining, by Ecclefiaftical Authority, the Subfcription of the CONFESSION OF FAITH and COVENANT, with the ASSEMBL T'S Declaration.

THE union of this kirk and kingdom, by HE general affembly confidering the great happiness which may

joining of all in one and the fame Covenant with God, with the king's majefty, and amongst ourselves; having by our great oath declared the uprightnefs and loyalty of our intentions in all our proceedings; and having withal fupplicated his majesty's high commiffioner, and the lords of his majefty's honourable privy council, to enjoin, by act of council, all the lieges in time coming to fubfcribe the Confeffion of Faith and Covenant; which, as a teftimony of our fidelity to God, and loyalty to our king, we have fubfcribed: and feeing his majefty's high commiffioner, and the lords of his majesty's honourable privy council, have granted the defire of our fupplication, ordaining by civil authority, all his majesty's lieges, in time coming, to fubfcribe the forefaid Covenant: that our union may be the more full and perfect, we, by our act and constitution ecclefiaftical, do approve the forefaid Covenant in all the heads and clauses thereof; and ordain of new, under all ecclefiaftical cenfure, That all the masters of universities, colleges, and schools, all scholars at the paffing of their degrees, all perfons fufpected of papistry or any other error, and finally, all the members of this kirk and kingdom, fubfcribe the fame, with these words prefixed to their fubfcription, The article of this Covenant, which was at the firft fubfcription referred to the determination of the general affembly, being determined; and thereby the five articles of Perth, the government of the kirk by bishops, the civil places and power of kirkmen, upon the reasons and grounds contained in the acts of the general affembly, declared to be unlawful within this kirk: we fubfcribe according to the determination forefaid. And ordain the Covenant, with this declaration, to be infert in the regifters of the affemblies of this kirk, general, provincial, and prefbyterial, ad perpetuam rei memoriam. And in all humility fupplicate his majesty's high commiffioner, and the honourable eftates of parliament, by their authority, to ratify and enjoin the fame, under all civil pains; which will tend to the glory of God, prefervation of religion, the king's majesty's honour, and perfect peace of this kirk and kingdom.

CHARLES I. PARL. 2. A&. 5.

Act anent the Ratification of the COVENANT, and of the Affembly's Supplication, Act of Council, and Act of Affembly concerning the Covenant.

At Edinburgh, June 11th, 1640.

THE fates of, randering the fupplication of the general affembly

HE eftates of Parliament, prefently conveened by his majesty's spe

at Edinburgh, the 12th of August 1639, to his majesty's high commiffioner, and the lords of his majesty's honourable privy council; and the act of council of the 30th of August 1639, containing the answer of the faid fupplication; and the act of the faid general affembly, ordaining, by their ecclefiaftical conftitution the fubfcription of the Confeffion of Faith and Covenant mentioned in their fupplication: and withal, having fupplicated his majesty to ratify and enjoin the fame by his royal authority, under all civil pains, as tending to the glory of God, the prefervation of religion, the king's majesty's honour, and the perfect peace of this kirk and kingdom; do ratify and approve the faid fupplication, act of council, and act of affembly; and, conform thereto, ordain and command the faid Confeffion and Covenant to be subscribed by all his majesty's fubjects, of what rank and quality foever, under all civil pains; and ordain the faid fupplication, act of council, and act of the affembly, with the whole Confeffion and Covenant itself, to be infert and registrate in the acts and books of parliament; And also ordain the famen to be prefented at the entry of every parliament, and, before they proceed to any other act, that the fame, be publickly read, and fworn by the whole members of parliament, claiming voice therein; otherwise the refusers to fubfcribe and swear the fame, fhall have no place nor voice in parliament: And fuch like ordain all judges, magiftrates, or other officers, of whatsoever place, rank or quality, and minifters at their entry, to fwear and subscribe the famen Covenant, whereof -the tenor follows.

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