f70 I. Qefiions,andCafes ofConffence Chap. 2, Though there may beLome unworthy dealing by them with their God, yet thefe flow only from Chore reliques of flavrlh principles that remain in them, from fotr.e fragments of theold leaven that was not purged out, not by vet- tueof a Gofpel Plerophorie. Doth the knowing that we are the fons of light dif- pofe us to works of darkneffe ? 'Tis true, the fons of Godmay provoke him, but mull they therefore needs, do it under this very notion, becaufe they know that they are ions ? nay, muff they do it the more for this ? . Truly this were greater malice then the devils themfelves are capable of ; it .involves alto a flat contradiSrion : becaufe they know that they are ftiends, therefore they will deal likeenemies : and becaufe they know they are fons, therefore they will deal like flaves. But if they yet doubt whether affurancedotr advance obe- dience, let them compare men affured of their falvation. a. with others in the flare of grace that want affurance, and then tell us whether they do notdif- fer as much as a bruited Reed from a (lately Cedar. 1) hat faintings and palx- neffc is there in the one ? what vigour and livelineffe in the foul of the ot! one is left to the pleafure ofa wave , when the other .li s fafe at Ar a. Compare them with men in an unregenerate condition , what ' vafl difference is betwixt them ? lure you do not queftion whether God bath more fervice from the Ifraelites that feed upon hidden (..2rCanna? Or from Egyptians, that feed upon Garlick and Onions ? Wirked menby feares and terrours of the Lawmay be refirained, andmay ïpend a few fishes, and drop a few teams fometimes, but when they are thus walh't, they foon return to their wallowing in the mire : whereas they that are affured of their falvation arc confiant and cheerful, and uniforme in their obedience. 3. That God bath other Rods eriow toawaken them out of a finful fecurity, though he do not difinherit them. Rememberwhat God (peaks to David, ppd. 89. 31, 32. If his children break myflatsstes, and keep not my Commandments, then willIvift their tranfgreffions with the Rod, and their iniquity with flripes, c. God will make them know what abitter thing it is forthem to depart from him, and forfake their firft love. Fcr r. They may fall from affurance : though theycannot lofe the feed and root of grace, yet they may lofe the f ouri(hing and fragrancyof it : Though the founda- tion ofGod remain fure , yet they may lofe their comfort. Though they be built on a rock, they may be dalhed with waves: Though the feal of God remains fure , yet they may deface the Print of it,fo as that it may not be vi- fible to theireye : Now we may eafilyconceive what a fad alteration this will be. 2. They may fall into a total defertion even fo as to look upon God as an e- nemy, and inflead of a Filial Tlerophory, may have a fearful expectati- on of the fierce wrath ofGod ; God may dip his pen in gall , and write bit- ter things againff them , and his envenomedarrows may (tick fail in them : fo that they may be excommunicated from that happy and heavenly entercourfe that once they had with God. Quell. What diligence is required of ru about this affrsrance ? Anfw. Full we mull ufe diligence to get this affurance. For r. There are but few that have anyright to the love ofGod in Chrift. lt'sa principle in morality that intimate friendfhip cannot be extended to many. Friends ufually go by pairs. Now thoughGodbe of vaft and boundlefs love, yet he choofeth to concentricate it all in a fewpickt out of the world that he might engage them the more unto himfelf. 2. Of thofe fewwhom he loves , all arenot affured of it : Though he loved themwith an everlafling love, yethe manifefled it in time : not before they had a being;nor while} they were in the Rate ofnature;nor when they were newborn children:For babes inChrift cannotprefenrly cry AbbaFather.They arc not fffu- 1
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