312 DIRECTIONS ron GETTING AND KEEPING But I think by this time I have persuaded you, that a proper .certainty of our salvation is not so common a thingas some con- troversial doctors,or some self-conceited,professors, do take it to be ; and, therefore, that you must not-lay all your comfort on your assurance of salvation. As for them who Are most highly confi- dent both of the doctrine of the certain perseverance of every believer, merely upon tradition and prejudice, or else uponweak grounds, which will not bear themout in their confidence ; and are as confident of their own salvation on as slender grounds, having never well understood the nature of saving grace, sincerity, exam- ination, nor assurance; nor understood the causes of doubting, which else might have shaken them; I will not call their greatest confidence by the. name of assurance or certainty of salvation, though it be accompanied with never so+great boastings, or pre- tenses, or expressions- the highest joys. And for yourself, I advise you first use those comforts which those may haul who come short of assurance. Direct. XVI. The next thingwhich, I would have you learn, is this, ' That there are several grounds of the great probability of our salvation, besides the general grounds mentioned in the begin- ning : and by the knowledge of these, without any further assur- ance, a Christianmay live in much peace and comfort, and in de- lightful, desirous thoughts of the glory to come. And 'therefore the next work which you have to do, is to discover those. proba- bilities of yoúr sincerity and your salvation,, and then to receive thepeace and comfort which they mayafford you, before you can expect assurance in itself.' I shall here open to you the several: parts of this proposition and direction distinctly. 1. I told you in the beginning of four grounds of probability which all may have in general; from, 1. Thenature of (3od. 2. Andof the Mediator and his office.. 3. And the universal sufficiencyof Christ's . satisfaction, 4. And the general tenor of the promise, and offer of pardon and salvation. Now, I add, that besides all these, there are many grounds of strong probability which you mayhave of your own sincerity, and so of your particular interest in Christ and salvation, when you pannot reach to a certainty. 1. Somekind of probability you may gather by comparing your- self with others. Though this way be but delusory to unregener- ate men,,whose confidence isplainly contradicted by the Scriptures, yet may it be lawful and useful to an humble soul that is willing to obey and wait on God : I mean to consider, that if such as you should perish, how few people would God have in the world. .Consider, first, in how narrow a compass the church was confined before Christ's coming in the flesh; how carpal and corrupt even
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