256 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING AND KEEPING cause theywill not be persuaded to accept the mercy that is freely given them. The use that I would have you make of this, I will show in the next. Direct. VII. ' You must get the right understanding of the dif- ference betrdeen general grace and special. And between the possibility, probability, conditional certainty, and àbsolùte certainty of your salvation. And so between the comfort on the former ground and on the latter.' And here I shall open to you a ridh mine of consolation. . Understand; therefore, that as every particular part of the house is built on the foundation, so is every part of special grace built on general grace. Understand also, that all the four last-mentioned particulars do belong to this general grace. As also, that though no man can have absolute Certaintyof salvation from the considera- tion of this general grace alone, yet may it afford abundance of relief to distressed souls, yea, much "true consolation. Lastly, Understand that all that hear the gospel may take part in this Con- solation, though theyhave no assurance of their salvation at all, no, norany special, saving'grace. Now, when you understand these things well, this is the use that I would have you make of them. I. Do not begin the way to your spiritual peace by inquiring after the sincerity of your graces, .and trying yourselves by' signs. Do- not seek out for assurance Of salvation in the first place, nor do net look and study after the special comforts which come from cer- tainty of special grace, before you have learned, (1.) To perform the duty. (2.) And to receive the comforts which general grace affordeth. Such immethodical, disorderly proceedings keep thou- sands 'of poor, ignorant Christians in darkness and trouble almost all their days. Let the first thingyou do be to obey the voice ofthe gospel, which calleth you to accept of Christ and special 'mercy. "This is the record, that God bath given us eternal life, and' this life is in his Son. He that bath the Son bath life." Fix this deep in your mind, that the nature of the gospel is first to declare to' our understandings the most gracious nature, undertakings, ánd performances of Christ for its; whichMust be believed to be true ; and secondly to offer this Christ with all his special mercy to every man to whom this gospel "comes, and to' entreat to accept Christ and life, which is `freely given and offered to them. Re- member`then you are a lost sinner. For": certain Christ and life in' him is given and offered to' you. Now,'your first work, is, presently to accept it; not to make an unseasonable inquiry, whether Christ be yours, but to take him that he may be yours. If you were
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=