Christ

know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made all things to

them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and re-

demption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more necessary for believers to be

clear and distinct in this matter, than when Satan, by all means, is seeking to

pervert the right ways of the Lord, and, one way or other, to lead souls away,

and draw them off Christ; knowing that, if he prevail here, he hath gained his

point. And therefore he endeavoureth not only to darken it by error, either

more gross or more subtle, but also to darken it by mistakes and prejudices:

whence it cometh to pass, that not only strangers are made to wander out of

the way, but oftentimes many of his own people are walking in darkness of

ignorance and mistakes, and remain lean through want of the real exercise

of the life of faith, which would make them fat and flourishing; because it

would make them "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and

to grow up in Christ in all things."The clearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable now, when

Satan is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted to looseness and

profanity, to sit down upon something which is not Christ, and to rest upon

something with themselves, distinct from him, both in the matter of justifi-

cation and sanctification. This subtle adversary is now setting some a-work,

to cry up, by preaching, speaking, and printing, a way to heaven which is not

Christ; a kind of morality, civility, and outward holiness, whereupon the

soul is to rest. And this holiness, not wrought and effectuated through the

strength of Jesus, by faith sucking life and furniture from him; but through

our own art and skill, which in effect is nothing but an extract of refined

Popery, Socinianism, and Arminianism, devised and broached of purpose

to draw the soul off Christ, that he may stand upon his own legs, and walk

by his own power, and thank himself, at least in part, for the crown at length.

Further, through the great goodness of God, the true way of a soul's justifica-

tion is admirably cleared up; and many are, at least theoretically, acquainted

therewith; and many also practically, to the quieting of their wakened con-

sciences, and stopping the mouth of their accusers, and obtaining of peace,

joy, and the lively hope of the everlasting crown; yet many gracious souls pro-

fess their unacquaintedness with the solid and thriving way of use-making

of Christ for growth in grace and true sanctification. Therefore some discov-

ery of the truth here cannot but be useful, seasonable, yea, and acceptable

unto them. If he, who is the Truth, would give grace to understand, and to

unfold this so necessary and always advantageous a truth, and would help

to write of and explain this truth by faith in him who is here said to be the

Truth, then should we have cause to bless and magnify his name. But if

he, because of sin, shall hide himself, and not let out these beams of light,

whereby we might discover light, we shall but darken counsel with words

without our knowledge, and leave the matter as unclear as ever. Therefore

is it necessary, there be both in him that writeth, and in such as read, a single

dependence on him, who "is for a leader," Isa. lv. 5, and hath promised to

"bring the blind by a way which they know not, and to lead them in paths