2. Position. 2. That many of Gods dear Childrenl for a long time might remain very doubtful as to their present and eternal condition, and know not what to conclude, whether they shall be damned, or whether they shall be saved. There are believers of several growths in the Church of God:m Fathers, Young men, Children, andn Babes; and as in most families there are more babes and children, than grown men, so in the Church of God, there are more weak doubting Christians, than strong ones, grown up to a full assurance. A Babe may be born and yet not know it, so a man may be born again and not be sure of it. Sometimes they think they have grounds of hope, that they shall be saved, sometimes they think they have grounds of fears, that they shall be condemned: not knowing which might be most weighty, like a pair of balances, they are in equal poise. Zach. 14.6. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear nor dark. ⟨p. 306⟩It is spoken primarily of Gods providential dispensations, towards his Church in Gospel times; For a while she should live in Crepusculo in twilight: in a mixed condition of light and darkness, comfort and affliction; like a man in a misty morning, that neither w lketh in the dark, nor yet hath the light clear to see far before him; like Paul and the Mariners that saw neither Sun nor Stars for many days,o so might it be with a particular person, in reference to his spiritual condition.
2. Position. 2. That many of Gods dear Childrenl for a long time might remain very doubtful as to their present and eternal condition, and know not what to conclude, whether they shall bee damned, or whether they shall bee saved. There are beleevers of several growths in the Church of God:m Fathers, Young men, Children, andn Babes; and as in most families there are more babes and children, than grown men, so in the Church of God, there are more weak doubting Christians, than strong ones, grown up to a full assurance. A Babe may bee born and yet not know it, so a man may bee born again and not be sure of it. Sometimes they think they have grounds of hope, that they shall bee saved, sometimes they think they have grounds of fears, that they shall bee condemned: not knowing which might bee most weighty, like a pair of ballances, they are in equal poyse. Zach. 14.6. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not bee clear nor dark. ⟨p. 306⟩It is spoken primarily of Gods providential dispensations, towards his Church in Gospel times; For a while shee should live in Crepusculo in twilight: in a mixt condition of light and darkness, comfort and affliction; like a man in a misty morning, that neither w lketh in the dark, nor yet hath the light clear to see far before him; like Paul and the Marriners that saw neither Sun nor Stars for many daies,o so might it bee with a particular person, in reference to his spiritual condition.
- lPsal. 77.1. to the 10. ver. & 88.14, 15, 16. Isa. 50.10.
- m1 Joh. 2.13.141 Ioh. 2.13.14
- n1 Pet. 2.2.
- oActs 27.20.
