The combat between Christ and the Devil displayedThe combat betvveene Christ and the Diuell displayed

The use. The consideration hereof must move us above all things to labour for assurance of our adoption, even to have our consciences, assured out of Gods word, that we are the sons and daughters of God in Christ. The devils drift is to overthrow this persuasion in us, and therefore our endeavour must be, to confirm and settle our hearts herein. This is the charge of the holy Ghost upon every child of God; 2. Pet. 1. 10. Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, that is, get the assurance thereof sealed up in your hearts, by the comfortable fruition and practise of the saving graces of Gods spirit, joining virtue with your faith, and with your virtue knowledge, with your knowledge temperance, and with temperance patience, and with patience godliness, and with godliness brotherly kindness, and with brotherly kindness love, vers. 5. 6. 7. And indeed if we would have true peace and comfort in every estate whether adversity or prosperity, let us labour for the knowledge of our adoption: This will be our joy in want, in wealth, in bondage, in freedom, in sickness, in health, in life and in death. Herein is that joy of Christ which never can be taken from us, Joh. 16. 22. We cannot do the Devil a greater pleasure, then to neglect the getting of this assurance; for hereupon he will take occasion (specially in time of distress) fearfully & dangerously to seek to break the neck of our souls; he cares not much otherwaies what men profess, and what knowledge and other common gifts of the spirit they have, so that they want this blessed assurance; and therefore with the Apostle Paul, we must account all other things to be but dross and dung in respect of this excellent knowledge of Christ, ¹to be our Saviour and Redeemer. True it is, that unto many this exhortation will seem needless; for ignorant persons that have nothing in them but mere presumption, will brag most of this persuasion; but they that have felt the smart of temptation, do know what it is that will stand us in stead, even that assurance only which is rightly founded upon the word of God; and therefore forsaking the vain conceits of our ignorance, let us with all diligence unfeignedly endeavour to get this resolution; if we cannot of our selves attain unto it, we must use the direction and help of Gods faithful Ministers;