The marrow of the oracles of God. Or, divers treatisesThe marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises

My advice is therefore, that the weak Christian that finds want of establishment and clear assurance, should take the former signs of trial, and go apart, and set himself in Gods presence, emptying his heart of worldly distractions, and seriously consider of every rule of trial apart; and gather out into some little paper-book so much as in every sign he can clearly ⟨p. 179⟩find to be in himself, and that which he durst through Gods mercy resolutely avouch to be wrought in him by the grace of God. And this I would have him to do with deliberation, trying himself by one or two of the chief heads at most in a day, spending no more time about it then he may well allow, without weariness or dullness.

My aduice is therefore, that the weake Christian that findes want of establishment and cleare assurance, should take the former signes of tryall, and goe apart, and set himselfe in Gods presence, emptying his heart of worldly distractions, and seriously consider of euery rule of tryall apart; and gather out into some little paper-booke so much as in euery signe hee can clearely ⟨p. 179⟩find to be in himselfe, and that which hee durst through Gods mercy resolutely auouch to bee wrought in him by the grace of God. And this I would haue him to doe with deliberation, trying himselfe by one or two of the chiefe heads at most in a day, spending no more time about it then he may well allow, without wearinesse or dulnesse.

Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the observation of divers things, which he may find wanting in himself in every sign; he must therefore take sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle John, 1 John 2. who casts all true Christians into three sorts. Some are Infants, and either new borne, or but weakly qualified with the graces of Christ; yet are right, and have true grace in some measure. Others are strong men, that is, such as have the gifts of the Spirit