IV v. IV. Queffions, and Cafes ofConfcience Chap. 1 Secondly, the want of it is a great caute ofCh,iflians dejeôlcdnefs , and un- comfortablenefs : For, till we know that we are in the (fate of grace , we want comfort : as it was with Hagarwhen the fawnot the fountain, Cjen.z 7.76,19 and with the Difciples, while(} their eyes were holden that they knew not Chritl, Lake34.14,15. and with cJk/ary C.1/agda/.n,whenlhe knew not of 1 Chritis refurreftion, Joh.zo.14,15. So ifwe be clofe by the well of grace ; if Chriff be prefent with us, yea, in us , if we know ir not, we are full of tears and forrow. ThoughNathan told David , 2 S.ir .1 2.13. that.God had per away his fr., yet becaufe he had not the fenfe ofit, he wanted the joys of Gods falvati-' on, Pfalme 51.8.1 z. Thirdly, God hath often commanded us to labour for this affurance, as, 2 Per. I lo. 2Cor1;.5. H6.to.22. and 6.11. Fourthly, it's poffible, if.we will takepains,that we mayattain tothis affurance: Proved, a. From, the manyScriptures intimating it , Jai,. /4.21. rev. 2. 17. I Cor.2.9, 10, 13. 1 Job. 2.t,5. and 3. z, 14i 19. and 4. 13. and 5. 13) 19 2. Thenatureof Knowledge,Faith, and Hope tend to it , Co/. 2.2. Hcb.a.1,Iç. and 6. 11. 3. Many ofGods people have attained to it, as Job 19. 25, 26, 27. David,implied, Ffal.51.8,12. Hez,ekiah, 2 King. 2o. 3. Thomas, John 20.28. Peter, John 21: 15, &c. Para, 2 Tim. 1. 12. the Church , cant. 2. i6. ...Ind 7. t o. Fifthly, it's richly worth all ourbell endeavours. It's ajewel of great price , and no firanger fhall entermeddle with their joy, Prov.14.10. Quell. But how will you prove that a Chriffian may be ahred of his falvation ? Anfo. Firfl, There is fcarce any eminent Chriftian in the whole book of God, but bath let his feal to this truth by his own particular experience ,and it is confirmed by the prefent experienceof many thoufands, i John 5. 13. the drift of Saint Jo, ns Epiftle is, that Chrifiians mi`,ht have affurance : Belides , the meanes whereby they attained to affurance are common to all Chriffians ; they have the fpi it dwellin_, in them ; they have the fruits of the Spirit , and a fweet teflimony of their own fhirits : Teter alfo exhortsall to givediligence to make their c.: /Ling, and el -Ilion furo , z Per. 1. lo. therefore if it came onely by extraordinary Revelation , to what end were our di- ligence ? Secondly, ifwefearch hato the nature offaith, we (hall feethat it rends much to affurance. For there is a double a61 offaith. r. e.AeIusprimru, the firfl aft, whereby I beleeve in Chriff for the remilfìom of my linnes, and juftifyingofmy perfon, which is properly juflifying faith. 2. Fists ex fide emanans , an at flowing from faith, by which I beleeve that my fins are remitted, Rom. 5. a. Aflurance is nothing but Apex fidel, the highefl degree of faith. The hand of _ faith lays hold onChrifi. and knows that it receives him : and the want of affu- rance comesfrom the imbecilityoffaith. Thirdly, from the nature of the promifes: for this is the driftof them, as it is, Heb. 6. 18. that the heirs of promife might have fiTong compilation. But what fweetnefs can a Chriflian draw from a promife till he knows that ir be- lons tohim ? will it enrich a man to know that there are Pearles, and Dia- monds in the world ? Nay it's rather a vexation to know that there are fpiritual dainties, but they belong not tome. God hash given his Word , his Oath, his Seal, his Earneff, and all to this very end that a poore Chriflian may be allured ofhis falvation, and that he might have ffrong , and vigorous confolation. Fourthly, from the nature ofChriflian hope, which is certaine , andinfalli- ble : It looks upon good as to come, and as certain to come. 7hat good which Faith fees, Hope waitsfor. Faith eyes it as prefent , but yet at diflance , and
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