Of inerfeverdnce. 209 . t. Do not yougrant that we muff take nocomfort but what God giveth us, and on his terms ; and that the falfe comfortsof prefumption are worfe than none, or not defirable ? And that all Do&rine is not true thatwere it true were comfortable ? C. " Tes, none will deny it you. . B. Q 2. Do you not find by experience (being a Paffor who bath difcourfed with your Flockman by man about their (fate) that of thofe that you account truly Godly perfons, there is not one of fifty, yea of an hundred, yea of many hundreds , that will fay that they are certain of theirSalvation ; properly and fully certain. C. I fuppofe your quefiion ineplyeth your own obfervation, Which I " contradifl not. B. Q. 3. And as for the multitude of more carelefs and loofe Chri, films, do not you think that (whatever they fay) their certainty is lets than there Godlyperfons ? C. "Tes, no doubt : for their evidence is lets or none. B. Q ¢. Do you not think that it muff needs be fo (that certainty of Salvationmuff be exceeding rare) confidering that all there things muff go to it ? 1. There muff be a certainty that Godspromifes are true : whereas the faith ofmolt is weak. 2. There molt be a certain underllandingboth of the meaning of the promife, and what are the true Conditions of it, and the difference be- tween true frying Grace , and all that is but counterfeit or common. Whereas muff are uncertain and dark herein, if notmiffaken. 3. There muff be thefe Evidences in the perfon himfelf; not only in reality, but inafcertaining-difcernablenef : which cannot beunlefs it be t. Much and f rong : for that which is fmall , is fo like to the common and counterfeit, that it is feldom certainlydirçérned. 2. It muff be in Aflivity : For Grace outof All is not difcernable. 3. It muff be power- fully operative without, and in the life, to conquer temptation, and keep us in clear and fureobedience, in a Holy fruitful life : or elfe it will not be certainly difcerned from dead opinion. 4. Itmuff not be clouded and blotted by great and powerful habits of fin within, or a&s of fin without. For thefe will many ways hinder affurance: Andhow few have all thefeNeceflaries to make up an afcertaining evidence. 4. And it muff beone that knowethhow by felf examination to di- fcern all this, tobe certainly in themfelves : That frequently and skil- fully thinkethon the matter. 5. And it muffbe one thais not under the power either of Melan- choly, or other diffracting pallions, or Temptations. 6. And one that knoweth the true difference between a Mortal fin (inconuffent with Juftification) and a meer infirmity. 7. And one that knoweth the true nature of that Repentance which is necefrary after finning. And alas! how fewbe they that have all thefe qualifications. C. 4 'The Spirit ofGod cangive them certainty without allthis ado. B. What he can do is little to our cafe, but what he will do. If you once take thatcourfe, to teachmen to look for affuranceof their Salva- tion or Sanchification, without certain finding that santlification in them- felaes, you will make fad work in the Church of God. For nothing is more certain, than that without Regeneration , Converfion and Holi- nefs, none (hall fee God. And that ifany man have not the Spirit of Chriff, whichmuff be knownby his fruits, he is none of his, ph. 3.3.5. loath. 13.3. Heb.12. 1¢. Rom. 8. y, 13. Gal. 5.21. And that it is he E e that
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