A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

There be two parts of the Question which must be distinctly spoken to; How we may experience this in our selves; and then, How we may evidence it in others.

(1.) How may a Believer experience in himself, that that Serious Godliness he lives in the Practice of, is more than a Fancy?

1. See that your Religiousness came into you the right way, was wrought in you by the Word of God, the power of which ye have found changing your Hearts, and reforming your Lives: When men leap into Religion they know not how, can give no account to themselves of their Conversion, or Reformation, that the Word which is the Ordinary means God useth in converting Sinners hath had any influence upon them in working such a change, it is suspicious that what they take to be Godliness in themselves is not real; that which is unaccountable is most like to be a Fancy. True, a man may not know the just time when God did work Grace in his heart, nor the particular Word which was the Seed of it, or which did first draw the heart to a closing with the Promise, and subjecting it self to the terms of the Gospel; he may not know when the new man was first quickened in him, not be able to discern distinctly the first vital motions of Grace in his Soul; some may have been wrought on in their Education, by which they have been restrained from more gross Sins, and influenced to some diligence in Religious duties, and in them the passing from one extreme to the other, from a state of Nature to a state of Grace, may not be so remarkable, and therefore not so easily discerned. However a change they find, and that the Word hath wrought it, which they have experienced Effectual in many things; it hath been the means at one time or other of enlightening their minds, melting their hearts, exciting their affections, directing their ways, and refreshing their Spirits; though they cannot say what truth wrought the first degree of Grace, yet they can say such and such truths have had an influence upon them, and promoted the work whenever it was wrought; such a Command quickened them to their Duty, another brought them off from some evil way, another helped them when they were tempted; such a Promise supported them when burdened, eased them when troubled, or comforted them when cast