90 Concerning Signs PART III. after they are aaually brought forth, as in their more perfect State. The Difference between Doves and Ravens, or Doves and Vultures, when they firft come out of the Egg, is not fo evident ; but as they grow to their Perfection, 'tis exceeding great and manifef}. Ano- ther Defect attending the Grace of thofe I am fpeaking, is its being mingled with fo much Corruption, which clouds and hides it, and makes it irnpoffible for it certainly to be known. Tho' different Things that are before us, may have in thetnfelves many Marks tho- roughly diftinguifhing them one from another; yet if we fee them only in a thickSmoke, it may neverthelefs be impoffible to diftinguish them. A fix'd Star is eafily diftinguithable from a Comet, in a clear Sky ; but if we view them thro' a Cloud, it may be impoffible to fee the Difference. When true Chriftians are in an ill Frame, Guilt lies on the Confcience ; which will bring Fear, and fo prevent the Peace and Joy of an affured Hope. Secondly, There is in fuch a Cafe a DefeEt in the Eye. As the Feeblenefs of Grace and Prevalence of Corruption, obfcures the Ob- ject ; fo it enfeebles the Sight ; it darkens the Sight as to all fpiritual. Objeas, of which Grace is one. Sin is like fome Diftempers of the Eyes, that make Things to appear of different Colours from thofe which properly belong to them, and like many other Diftempers,tha t put theMouth out ofTafte, fo as to difenable from diftinguifhing good and wholefome Food from bad, but every Thing taftes bitter. Men in a corrupt and carnal Frame, have their fpiritual Senfes in but poor Plight for judging and diftinguifhing fpiritual Things. For thefe Reafons, no Signs that can be given, will adlually fatisfy Perfons in filch a Cafe : Let theSigns that are given, be never fo good and infallible, and dearly laid down, they will not ferve them, It is like giving a Man Rules, how to diflinguifh vifible Objects in the dark The Things themfelves may be very different, and theirDiffe- rence may be very well and diftin&ly defcribed to him ; yet all is in- fufficient to enable him to diftinguifh them, becaufe he is in the dark. And therefore ;manyPerfons in fuch a Cafe fpend Time in a fruitlefs Labour, in poring on paft Experiences, and examining themfelves by Signs they hear laid down from the Pulpit; or that they read inBooks ; when there is other Work for them to do, that is much more expec- ted of them ; which, while they neglect, all their Self-Examinations are like to be in vain, if they should fpend never fo much Time in them. The accurfed Thing is to be deftroyed from their Camp, and Aeban to be Main ; and 'till this be done they will be in Trouble. 'Tis not God's Defign that Men should obtain Affurance in any o- ther Way, than by mortifying Corruption, and encreafing in Grace, and obtaining the IivelyExercifcs of it. And altho' Self- Examination be a Duty of great Ufe and Importance, and by no Means to be neg- leled
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