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

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 ⟨p. 180⟩lively and in their power in them. Others are Fathers, that is, such as have had long experience in the powerful practice of godliness, and have been long exercised in all kinds of well-doing. Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signs. The weak Christian only takes to a few of the plainest marks in the explication of each sign. The strong Christian he takes to the most of the marks. The Fathers they in a manner discern all the particulars of Gods graces, and the several workings of them. Each of these, even the weak Christian, may see so much as may stay his heart in assurance, and so settle his faith and joy.

Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the obseruation of diuers things, which he may find wanting in himselfe in euery signe; hee must therefore take sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle Iohn, 1 Iohn 2. who casts al true Christians into three sorts. Some are Infants, and either new borne, or but weakely qualified with the graces of Christ; yet are right, and haue true grace in some measure. Others are strong men, that is, such as haue the gifts of the Spirit ⟨p. 180⟩liuely and in their power in them. Others are Fathers, that is, such as haue had long experience in the powerful practice of godlinesse, and haue beene long exercised in all kinds of well-doing. Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signes. The weake Christian onely takes to a few of the plainest markes in the explication of each signe. The strong Christian he takes to the most of the markes. The Fathers they in a manner discerne all the particulars of Gods graces, and the seuerall workings of them. Each of these, euen the weake Christian, may see so much as may stay his heart in assurance, and so settle his faith and ioy.