The first is a persuasion, that a mans own1 sins are pardonable: this persuasion though it be not faith, yet it is a good preparation ⟨p. 50⟩to faith: For the wicked cut themselves of quite from Gods mercy, in that with Cain athey say, their sins are greater, then that they can be forgiven. The second is a desire of the favour & mercy of God in Christ, & of the means to attain to that favour. bThis desire is a special grace of God, and it hath the promise of blessedness; and it must be distinguished from that desire which wicked men have: who though they desire life eternal, as Balaam did, yet they cannot desire the means, as faith, repentance, mortification, &c. The third is, prayer for nothing in this4 world, but only for the forgiveness of their sins: with great sighs and groans, from the bottom of the heart, which they are not able to express, as they feel them. Now this hearty praying and desire for the pardon of sin can never come from the flesh but only from the spirit, who cstirreth up these heavenly motions of longing, desiring, sighing after remission of sin, and all other graces of God, which he bestoweth upon his children. And where the spirit of Christ dwelleth there must needs be faith, for 6Christ dwelleth in the harts of the faith full by faith. Therefore as Rebecca, 7when she felt the Twins strive in her womb, though ⟨p. 51⟩it pained her, yet she knew, both that she had conceived, and that the children were quick in her: so they who have these motions, & holy affections in them before mentioned may assure themselves, that the spirit of God dwelleth in them, & consequently that they have faith though a weak faith.
The first is a persuasion, that a mans own1 sins are pardonable: this perswasion though it bee not faith, yet it is a good preparation ⟨p. 50⟩to faith: For the wicked cut themselues of quite from Gods mercie, in that with Cain athey say, their sinnes are greater, then that they can be forgiuen. The second is a desire of the fauor & mercy of God in Christ, & of the meanes to attaine to that fauour. bThis desire is a speciall grace of God, and it hath the promise of blessednes; and it must be distinguished from that desire which wicked men haue: who though they desire life eternal, as Balam did, yet they cannot desire the meanes, as faith, repentance, mortification, &c. The third is, praier for nothing in this4 world, but onely for the forgiuenes of their sins: with great sighes and grones, from the bottome of the heart, which they are not able to expresse, as they feele them. Nowe this hearty praying and desire for the pardon of sinne can neuer come from the flesh but onely from the spirite, who cstirreth vp these heauenly motions of longing, desiring, sighing after remission of sinne, and all other graces of God, which hee bestoweth vpon his children. And where the spirit of Christ dwelleth there must needs be faith, for 6Christ dwelleth in the harts of the faith full by faith. Therfore as Rebecca, 7whē she felt the Twins striue in hir wombe, though ⟨p. 51⟩it pained hir, yet shee knewe, both that she had conceaued, and that the children were quicke in hir: so they who haue these motions, & holy affections in them before mentioned may assure themselues, that the spirit of God dwelleth in them, & cōsequently that they haue faith though a weake faith.
- 11 A persuasion that sin is pardonable.1 A perswasion that sinne is pardonable.
- a4. Gen. 3 2 A desire of grace.
- bMath. 56 Luk. 1. 53. Psal. 145. 19. Psal. 10. 17. & 38. 9. Num. 23. 9.
- 43 Prayer for pardon3 Praier for pardon
- cRo. 8. 25.
- 6Eph. 3. 17
- 7Ge. 25. 22
