hrist tells us, that such as should persecute the Apostles unto
death, would think they did God good service, John xvi. 2.

12. Some also may put it beyond question, that they are in the right
way, because they are more strict in all their ways than others, and
will not so much as keep fellowship or company with them; saying, with
those, (Isaiah lxv. 5) "Stand by, I am holier than thou, come not near
to me," who yet are but a smoke in God's nose, and a fire that burneth
all the day.

13. Some may rest on, and deceive themselves with their great
attainments, and more than ordinary experiences, when, alas! we see to
what a height some may come, and yet prove nothing. Let such souls read
with trembling that word of Paul, Heb. vi 4, 5, where we see some may
come to be enlightened, to taste of the heavenly gift, to be made
partakers of the Holy Ghost, to taste the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, and yet prove cast-aways; taking these
expressions as pointing forth something distinct from real grace.

Many such false ways, wherein men please themselves, might be mentioned;
by these every one may see cause of searching and trying over and over
again. It is a dreadful thing to be deceived here, and it is best to put
it to a trial, when there is a possibility of getting the matter helped.
And many may fear and tremble when they see they are not yet come the
length of many such as sit down without Christ, and lose all their
labour. Oh, if this could put people to a serious examination and trial
of themselves, and of the nature of that way wherein they are, and rest
at present!

_Thirdly_, We might here observe, that this true and living way is but
one for all. There is but "one Mediator between God and man," 1 Tim. ii.
5. One Mediator for both Old and New Testament, the seed of the woman.
Howbeit the Lord's dispensations with his people, in that one way, may
be various, as his way with his people under the law is different from
his way with his people under the gospel; and his dispensations with
individual believers, whether under the law or under the gospel, is not
the same in all things.

And this should teach us to relinquish our own ways, and to enter into
this one only way; and it should move such as are in this way to study
unity and agreement among themselves; and yet not infer or suppose, that
God's way with them must be in all things alike. Yea, though the Lord's
way with them be different from