ithout spot to God," verse 14, and "his own self bare our sins in his
own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24. There must, I say, be some
knowledge of, and acquaintance with this great mystery of the gospel,
wherein is declared "the manifold wisdom of God," Eph. iii. 10, and with
the noble design of God, in sending his Son, after this manner, to die
the death, that condemned sinners might live, and return to the bosom of
God; as redeemed "not with gold or silver, or corruptible things but
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot," 1 Pet. i. 18. And being "so redeemed by blood, to become
kings and priests unto God," 1 Pet. ii. 2. Rev. v. 9, 10. The man must
not be ignorant of this, else all will be in vain. I do not determine
how distinct and full this knowledge must be; but sure there must be so
much knowledge of it, as will give the soul ground of hope, and, in
expectation of salvation by this way, cause it turn its back upon all
other ways, and account itself happy if it could once win here.

6. There must be a persuasion of the sufficiency, completeness and
satisfactoriness of the way of salvation through this crucified
Mediator, else the soul will not be induced to leave its other courses,
and betake itself to this alone. He must be sure that salvation is only
to be had this way, and that undoubtedly it will be had this way, that
so with confidence he may cast himself over on this way, and sweetly
sing of a noble outgate. And therefore he must believe, that Christ is
really God as well as man, and a true man as well as God; that he is
fully furnished for the work of redemption, having the Spirit given to
him without measure; and endued fully and richly with all qualifications
fitting for all our necessities, and enabling him to "save to the
uttermost all that come unto God by him," Heb. vii. 25; that "he is made
of God to us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification," 1 Cor. i. 30;
that "all power in heaven and in earth is given unto him," Matt. xxviii.
18; that "all things are put under his feet;" and that "he is given to
be Head over all things to the church," Eph. i. 22; that "in him
dwelleth all fulness," Col. i. 19; that "in him are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. ii. 3; yea, "that in him
dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" so that we are
"complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power," verses
9, 10.

7. The soul must know