34 The Deanne, Duty and IffefulnefofAffrtrance. SE c T. I. Our Saviour by many Parables to this purpofe would teach us how prone all are to be thusabufed. 6. Sixthly, Let aprefumptuotumanconfider howapt heistomifake in other things, and thereforefear left he do alto in this of the greatefl concernment. Every man is full ofblindenefs, flupidity, ignorance, how often is he deceived even in natu- ral and moral things ? How often in truths fupernatural? And is it any wonder then, if in the workingsof his own heart, wherein lie is commonly carried by felf-love? Ifa natural man sloth not perceive many times natural things, how can heperceive the things ofGod ? As our Saviour laid, If youunderfkand not earthly things, how the things of Heaven? If a godly man, out of whofe heart guileand by pocrifie is ina great meafure removed, doyet cryout who can un- derf ondhiserrors- , Clemnfe mefromfecret fins, How much more is this true of himwho is wholly in the leaven of bypocrifie ? If David bath much unknown pride andcorruption in his heart, how muchbath a Pharifeeor an unregenerate man? It is a good fpeechofAmefus, PrefumentesfunreoMaki deffterati,,quomi- nczsPunt '11)r-ram-es ; Prefumers are therefore in themore defperate condition, by how much they are the leffe defpairing. The next 0,2eftion (hall be, what ought a man to do, who bath indeed the truth otGrece in him, but hekrawethit not ? Though God bath wrought fupernatural cures upon his foul, yet be slothnot believe any fuch mercy ss done for him. And as when a manbath Affuranceof the truth ofgrace in his foul there is alto a Howfad a eon- complication of the Affuranceof Election, Juflification, Perfeveranceand Glo- dit;on it is for rigcation ; fo when thefoul is indarknefs about the former, and bath no know - a truly godly ledge of that,it is allo involvedin ignorance about the other things. Now how- ... to want foever carnalmenknow not thefadnefsof Inch anefiate,yet David. Pfalms make he fade of mentign he heavinefsof filch acondition,mrprelling it by all thofe uimilitudes favour. avonr. which maymalte it to appear `very horrid, Hecompareth it to broken bones, not one broken bone, but all hisbones broken, Whit intolerablepainwas that? Chrifi who wanted the light ofGods favour in his Agony though no corporali bone was broken, yet wasfull oftheft broken bones. t Firfh, Let him confider Whetherfonaefin, unreformed of, that he liveth is, know_ What a, godly int it tohefnne, cloth not eclipfe allhiscertainty. Davids Adulterydrave away the man fboild do fpirit ofgladnefs' and joy from hisfoul. Oh that is a turfed joy and confidence, that mourns which is not expelled by the committingofknown grolle fins ! How can therebe under the fenfe f Affurance andPeace,asif grace were in chee,when thoudemonfiratefl fuels works of the want o Gods {avcur. ofthe flefh and Satan in thee ? Is it any wonder then to fee men who take upon them the- profeonofReligion, and yet live loofly, tumbling now and then in- to foul fins, ifthey have often an hell upon their confciences, and frequent terrors upon their foul ? As when vapours aregarhered together in the bowels of the earth, it cannot butmake anEarthquake; fo (inne gathered together in the hearr,wiil one timeor othermake anheartquake. That place Ephef..q.Grievenor'" the Spirit ofGod, fuppofeth fin doth grieve him,and how Jug is it then that Gods Spirit fhould grieve us ? Secondly, Seppofenogrievousfinfallen into make fuch agreat gulfbetween him, and Affurance, thathe can neither come what, or that to him , yet negligent, and careleffe ufeofthe means of grace, Will muchWeaken a mans Certainty. You heard that place, Give all diligenceetmakeyourColing lure; So that without conflant Diligence this Affurance cannotbe obtained ; for although (inure and zealous endeavours after godiinelfe benot the castle, yet they are the ligo and teflimony of Gods love ; and fo without thefetherecannot be any comfort at all. Fervent and gracious performances of holy Duties are the Oil, without which this Lamp would not fhne. Whenthe Apofileexhorted to Prayer, That we fhould make our requefls known, he addetti, Andthe peace of GodJhallrule inyour hearts. It is therefore an unworthy thing- to fpeak -of; doubting, and complain of the Joffe of Gods favour, and that thou haft no Affurance, when all thy Duties
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