PART III. ofgracious Afetlions. 91 le&ted ; yet it is not the principal Means, by which the Saints doget Satisfaaion of their good Eftate. Affurance is not to be obtain'd fo much by Self- Examination, as by fiction. The Apoftle Paul fought Affurance chiefly this Way, even byforgetting the Things that were behind, and reaching forth unto thofe Things that were before, ?rein'g to- wards the Mark for the -Prize of the high Calling of God in Chrilt f us ; if by any Means he might attain unto the Refurretion ofthe Dead. And it was by this Means chiefly that he obtain'd Affurance, i Cur. g. 26. I therefore fo run, as not uncertainly. He obtain'd Affurance of winning the Prize, more by running, than by con idering. The Sw f n fs of his Pace, did more towards his Affurance of a Conqueff, than the Striétnefs of his Examination. Giving all Diligence to grow in Grace, by adding to Faith, Vertue, &c. is the Direc`3-.ion that the Apof4le Peter gives us, for making our Calling and Elation fare, and having an Entrance minFred to us abundantly, into Chr 's everla/ling Kingdom ; fignifying to us, that without this, our Eyes will be dim, and we shall be as Men in the Dark, that cannot plainly fee Things paff or to come, either the Forgivenefs of our Sins paff, or our hea- venly Inheritance that is future, and far of, 2 Pet. T. 5, - -- i r. T Therefore, tho' good Rules to diftinguifh true Grace from Coun- terfeit, may tend to convince Hypocrites, and be of great Ufe to the Saints, in many Refpe&s ; and among other Benefits, may be very ufeful to them to remove many needlefs Scruples, and eftablifh their Hope ; yet I am far from pretending to lay down any filch Rules, as fhall be fufficient of thémfelves, without other Means, to enable all true Saints to fee their good Eflate, or as fuppofing they should be the principal Means of their Satisfaelion. 3. Nor is there much Encouragement, in the Experience of pre- fent or pail Times, to lay down Rules or Marks to diftinguifh be- tween true and falfe Affeetions, in Hopes of convincing any confide- rabic Number of that Sort of Hypocrites, who have been deceived with great falfe Difcoveries and Affections, and are once fettled in a falle Confidence, and high Conceit of their own fuppofed great Ex- cc The Way to know your Godlinefs, is to renew the vifible « Exercifes of Grace ". ---The ,riore the vifible Exercifes of 64 Grace are renewed,rhe morecertain you will be. The more GG frequently thefe Atings are renewed, the more abiding and C confirmed your . Affurance will be ".. -- « The more Mens cc Grace is multiplied, the more their P<-ace is multiplied ; 2 « Pet. I. 2. Crace and Peace be multiplied unto you, through the `c Knowledge of God and 7eAs Ch.r+(? our Lord ". Stoddard's Way to know Sincerity and Bypu . if y, p. 139, and 142. periences
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