d in the court of heaven, conform to the tenor of the gospel, and
wait on Christ until the intimation come.

As for the cautions which I promised to speak to, in the _last_ place,
take those few:

1. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because there is no intimation
thereof made to thy soul as yet. According to the dispensation of grace
condescended upon in the gospel, pardon is had immediately upon a soul's
believing and repenting; but the intimation, sense, and feeling of
pardon, is a distinct thing, and may, for several ends, be long kept up
from the soul. Sure they go not always together.

2. Do not conclude there is no pardon, because the rod that was
inflicted for sin is not as yet taken off. God pardoned David's sin, and
did intimate the same to him by Nathan, and yet the sword did not depart
from his house till he died. God can forgive, and yet take vengeance on
their inventions, Psalm xcix. 8.

3. Do not upon this ground question God's faithfulness, or conclude
that God's covenant doth not stand fast. He is the same, and the
covenant abideth fast and firm; but the change is in thee.

4. Do not think that because thou hast once received Christ, that
therefore, without any new act of faith on him, or of repentance towards
God, thou should immediately be pardoned of thy sins, as soon as they
are committed; for the gospel method must be followed, and it should
satisfy us.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.

This being added for further confirmation of what was formerly said,
will point out unto us several necessary truths, as,

I. That it is most necessary to be sound and clear in this fundamental
point of coming to God only in and through Christ. For,

1. It is the whole marrow of the gospel.

2. It is the hinge of our salvation, Christ is "the chief corner stone,"
Isa. xxxviii. 16. 1 Pet. i. 5, 6; and,

3. The only ground of all our solid and true peace and comfort.

4 An error or a mistake here, is most dangerous, hazarding, if not
ruining all.

5. Satan endeavours mainly against this, raiseth up heresies, errors,
and false opinions, and prompteth some to vent perplexing doubts and
objections, and all to darken this cardinal point. So doth he muster up
all his temptations for this end, at length to keep poor souls from
acquaintance with this way, and from making use of it, or entering into
it.

6. Our corrupt hearts are most averse from it, and will close with any