The attainment of the sense, power, & comfort of this assurance is exceedingly hindered in all sorts of people. §1First, For many can never attain it, because they are forestalled with evil opinions about it, they think it ⟨p. 9⟩is impossible to be had, or it is needless, or it is presumption to seek it, or it would prove a nurse to security if it were had. Secondly, in §2the most, common hope serves the turn and supplies presumptuously the room of this sacred gift, Thirdly,§3 many hear & profess, and go far in the opinion of others, and yet get not assurance; because they take not a sound course for the mortification of the body of sins that are passed, whereas it ⟨p. 10⟩is certain assurance can never be had, till there be some sound course taken, in the acknowledgement, bewailing, and reformation of §4them. Fourthly, besides a barren life is an uncomfortable and unsettled life,1 and contrariwise to abound in Gods work, hath steadfastness, and a secret rest of heart, as an unspeakable companion §5of it. Fifthly, Melancholy also (that is terrors and griefs, of which a man can yield no true reason) is in divers ⟨p. 11⟩a mighty let to the settled assurance they might have. They are so eaten up with those strong conceits that all the comfort is propounded most anend, proves as water spilt upon the ground: especially when this humour is nourished by some extraordinary distemper of the body; Physic, not arguments of Scripture must here be used, or rather both of them. Sixthly, the love of earthly things is another great impediment: many professors ⟨p. 12⟩have their thoughts and cares so eaten up with worldliness, that they cannot seriously hold out to follow the directions requisite to the attainment of assurance. This grace requires a mind some way fitted for contemplation. It is a knowledge will never be had with looking downward. §7Seventhly, further, many are so passionate and froward, they can get no rest in their heart, when as full assurance would be lodged in an humble ⟨p. 13⟩& quiet breast. Eighthly,§8 Others want assurance,2 because they neglect the means of assurance,3 which are the word,4 prayer, or fellowship in the Gospel. Ninthly, In some there lodgeth some secret §9sin unrepented of, and this either keeps out faith, or keeps it down in the cradle, that it can get no strength. Lastly, assurance §10is the gift of God, and he bestoweth it on whom he will.
THe attainment of the sence, power, & comfort of this assurance is exceedingly hindered in all sorts of people. §1First, For many can neuer attaine it, beecause they are forestalled with euill opinions about it, they thinke it ⟨p. 9⟩is impossible to be had, or it is needelesse, or it is presumption to seek it, or it would prooue a nurse to security if it were had. Secondly, in §2the most, common hope serues the turne and supplies presumptuously the roome of this sacred gift, Thirdly,§3 many heare & professe, and goe farre in the opinion of others, and yet get not assurance; because they take not a soūd course for the mortification of the body of sinnes that are passed, whereas it ⟨p. 10⟩is certain assurance can neuer be had, till there be some sound course taken, in the acknowledgement, bewailing, and reformation of §4them. Fourthly, besides a barraen life is an vncomfortable and vnsetled life,1 and contrariwise to abound in Gods worke, hath stedfastnesse, and a secret rest of heart, as an vnspeakeable companion §5of it. Fifthly, Melancholy also (that is terrors and griefes, of which a man can yeelde no true reason) is in diuers ⟨p. 11⟩a mighty let to the setled assurance they might haue. They are so eaten vp with those strong conceits that all the comfort is propounded most anend, prooues as water spilt vpon the ground: especially when this humor is nourished by some extraordinary distemper of the body; Physicke, not arguments of Scripture must here be vsed, or rather both of them. Sixthly, the loue of earthly things is another great impediment: many professors ⟨p. 12⟩haue their thoughts and cares so eaten vp with worldlinesse, that they cannot seriously hold out to follow the directions requisite to the attainement of assurans. This grace requires a minde some way fitted for contemplation. It is a knowledge will neuer be had with looking downeward. §7Seuenthly, further, many are so passionate and froward, they can get no rest in their heart, when as ful assurance would bee lodged in an humble
- 11. Cor. 15. 58.
- 21. The. 1. 5
- 3Eph. 1. 17
- 4Phi. 15, 6
