You may know it by this, that at the same 1time they are conscionable of all heavenly duties, at the same time, they neglect no means of salvation: at the same time they complain against their own corrupt course of life that hath given God occasion to leave them thus to themselves, at the same time they strive against this, and labour to be persuaded of GODS truths in general. And though the devil sometimes shake that persuasion, that Gods truth is not Gods truth, and make them question whether it be the word of God or no, and whether there be such a thing as life everlasting: (the devil shakes us in principles sometimes) but yet a Christian in such temptations, though he be shaken in his principles by the force of wickedness, yet he attends upon the means, and goes on more conscionably, he doth not give back, but labours for satisfaction, and further settling still, and is ashamed of himself that he should have such beastly thoughts as the Psalmist saith, so foolish was I 2and ignorant, and as a beast before thee, when he began to stagger in the principle of the providence of God. So sometimes a Christian is brought, to stagger in principles, in the main general persuasion of the word of God, but he likes not himself, he accounts himself as a beast, and labours for satisfaction still in sanctified means and never gives over; Though ⟨p. 241⟩he have not particular persuasion, he gives not over holy duties, but goes on in spiritual duties, he labours to obey God in all things, he is conscionable to God, in fear and trembling in the least thing. A man may say to such a soul, it shall find peace at the length: for Gods ways are unsearchable: GOD hath cause, and reason why he keeps such a soul under for a time, and withholds some sense and persuasion: but usually GODS comforts come more abundantly to such a soul, he reserves it for the time of affliction, or the hour of death.
You may know it by this, that at the same 1time they are conscionable of al heavenly duties, at the same time, they neglect no meanes of salvation: at the same time they complaine against their owne corrupt course of life that hath given God occasion to leave them thus to themselves, at the same time they strive against this, and labour to be perswaded of GODS truths in generall. And though the devill sometimes shake that perswasion, that Gods truth is not Gods truth, and make them question whether it be the word of God or no, and whether there bee such a thing as life everlasting: (the devill shakes us in principles sometimes) but yet a Christian in such temptations, though he be shaken in his principles by the force of wickednesse, yet he attends upon the meanes, and goes on more conscionably, he doth not give backe, but labours for satisfaction, and further setling still, and is ashamed of himselfe that hee should have such beastly thoughts as the Psalmist saith, so foolish was I 2and ignorant, and as a beast before thee, when hee began to stagger in the principle of the providence of God. So sometimes a Christian is brought, to stagger in principles, in the maine generall perswasion of the word of God, but he likes not himselfe, he accounts himselfe as a beast, and labours for satisfaction still in sanctified meanes and never gives over; Though ⟨p. 241⟩he have not particular perswasion, he gives not over holy duties, but goes on in spirituall duties, he labours to obey God in all things, he is conscionable to God, in feare and trembling in the least thing. A man may say to such a soule, it shall finde peace at the length: for Gods wayes are unsearchable: GOD hath cause, and reason why he keepes such a soule under for a time, and withholds some sense and perswasion: but usually GODS comforts come more abundantly to such a soule, he reserves it for the time of affliction, or the houre of death.
- 1Answ. How to know Gods children in loss of assurance.Answ. How to know Gods children in losse of assurance.
- 2Psalm 73.Psalme 73.
