Meditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many years sinceMeditations on the holy sacrament of the Lords last Supper Written many yeares since

I understand not all this which hath been spoken generally of all assents unto objects Divine, which I take it in regard of their evidence, firmness, and stability do much differ according unto the divers tempers of those hearts in which they reside; but principally unto the chief of those assents which are proper unto saving Faith. For assent as I said in general is common unto Devils with men, and therefore to make up the creature of true Faith. There is required some differencing property whereby it may be constituted in the entire essence of saving Faith. In each sense we may observe that unto the general faculty whereby it is able to perceive objects proportioned to it, there is annexed ever another property whereby ⟨p. 217⟩according to the several nature of the objects proposed it is apt to delight or be ill affected with it: for example, our ear apprehendeth all sounds in common, but according as is the Harmony or discord of the sound, it is apt to take pleasure or offence at it. Our taste reacheth unto whatsoever is the object of it, but yet some things there are which grievously offend the Palate, others which as much delight it, and so it is in Divine assents. Some things in some subjects bring along with them tremblings, horrors, fearful expectations, aversation of mind, unwilling to admit or be pursued with the evidence of Divine truths, as it is in Devils, and despairing sinners. Other assents on the contrary do beget serenity of mind, a sweet complacency, delight, adherence, and comfort: Into the hearts of some men doth the Truth of GOD shine like Lightning with a penetrating, and amassing brightness, in others like the Sun with comfortable, and refreshing Beams.

I understand not all this which hath been spoken generally of all assents unto objects Divine, which I take it in regard of their evidence, firmnes, and stability doe much differ according unto the divers tempers of those hearts in which they reside; but principally unto the cheife of those assents which are proper unto saving Faith. For assent as I said in generall is common unto Divils with men, and therefore to make up the creature of true Faith. There is required some differencing property whereby it may be constituted in the entire essence of saving Faith. In each sense we may observe that unto the generall faculty whereby it is able to perceive objects proportioned to it, there is annexed ever another property whereby ⟨p. 217⟩