Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

9. In such cases it condemneth not to act in doubting, but the same man that doubteth may act in faith. Indeed if the doubting be so predominant, that a man is more persuaded that he doth not believe, than that he doth (whether dogmatically, ⟨p. 194⟩or savingly) then he may not profess that he doth believe: that is, he may not think one thing, and speak another, and speak or do against his Conscience: And also if it be in an indifferent thing, as about meats, or drinks, or indifferent days, where he is certain to be innocent if he forbear, and uncertain to be innocent if he act, then he must take the safer side, and therefore forbear. And the Apostles words will reach no further than to these two points. He that hath unbelief, and therefore doubting, may say, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.

9. In such cases it condemneth not to act in doubting, but the same man that doubteth may act in faith. Indeed if the doubting be so predominant, that a man is more perswaded that he doth not believe, than that he doth (whether dogmatically, ⟨p. 194⟩or savingly) then he may not profess that he doth believe: that is, he may not think one thing, and speak another, and speak or do against his Conscience: And also if it be in an indifferent thing, as about meats, or drinks, or indifferent daies, where he is certain to be innocent if he forbear, and uncertain to be innocent if he act, then he must take the safer side, and therefore forbear. And the Apostles words will reach no further than to these two points. He that hath unbelief, and therefore doubing, may say, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.

10. The thing that is necessarily required to the Sacramental participation, is not an Assurance that our faith is sincere and saving, but that it be really that Faith which is sincere and saving, whether we know it so to be or not. Many a man knoweth that he hath that faith which is saving, and yet knoweth not that it is saving. And many one knoweth that he performeth the saving act, but through vain scruples understandeth not whether he do it sincerely: And many think or hope they are sincere that yet doubt of it. I have met with many that have lived in deep distress for want of perceiving the truth of their faith; that have cried out [I have no true faith, I cannot believe! Faith is a persuasion of Gods love to me, or a resting on him for salvation, and I cannot be persuaded of his love to me, nor can I rest upon him.] And when I have convinced them that [the Gospel is 1. a Narrative of what Christ is, and what he hath done and suffered for us; and 2. an offer of Christ, and life to all that will accept the offer: And therefore that faith is 1. an Assent to the truth of his Report, and 2. a Consent to be Christs, and that he shall be ours.] And when I have asked them whether they do these two things or not: whether they believe the Gospel to be true, and are willing that Christ and Life be theirs, and that they be Christs? they profess very cheerfully both this Assent and Consent; they are wlling to have Christ if they know their own hearts; and yet they dare not say that they are true believers; partly through general fears, and partly because they know not that this which they profess is saving faith. Now in such a case we are to let them know that it is the thing, and not