And on the other side, Is there any soul among you that in doubts, and trouble, hath opened his case to the faithful Ministers of Christ, and their judgement is, that your state is safe? Is this the judgement, not only of the weakest, but the wisest; not only of strangers, but of those that know you best; not only of one, or two, but of all or most of the judicious Ministers, that ever you opened you case to? even of the most honest and impartial, that would not flatter you nor deceive you? Yea and perhaps, when desertions, or Melancholy, or passion, or ignorance do make you unmeet to judge of your selves: And doth all this seem nothing to you? or a small matter? It is not nothing: It is not small: I confess it is no ground of certainty: ⟨p. 442⟩They are but men: It is a humane testimony: But yet it is a testimony, that may weigh down many of your own surmises, and take off much of your distressing fears; and may give much ease to troubled souls, while they are seeking after surer knowledge: It is a ground of comfort, not to be despised, or made light of: Till you can come to see your evidences your selves, and to be acquainted with the indwelling spirit as your witness, you may much quiet your minds, and take much comfort, in this judgement and witness of the servants of the Lord, that have a spirit of discerning ▪ and have that grace which acquainteth them with the nature of grace in others, and that have been long exercised in the discerning of mens states: It is possible an Hypocrite (especially one that wilfully giveth them a false relation of himself) may deceive them: but it is Probable that it is not one of many they are deceived in, when they know or have a good description of the Person. If in a Law suit all the ablest Lawyers tell you that your cause is good; it is possible they may be deceived, but it is not likely; If in a Fever all the ablest Physicians tell you, the danger is past, it is possible yet that they may be all deceived: But yet ⟨p. 443⟩I think you would take some comfort in such a testimony; so should you here: Though the Judgement of Ministers be not infallible, it may be much better then your own, though about your selves: and it may be set against the jealousies and fears of a disquiet soul, and against abundance of the molesting suggestions of the accuser.
And on the other side, Is there any soul among you that in doubts, and trouble, hath opened his case to the faithful Ministers of Christ, and their judgement is, that your state is safe? Is this the judgement, not only of the weakest, but the wisest; not only of strangers, but of those that know you best; not only of one, or two, but of all or most of the judicious Ministers, that ever you opened you case to? even of the most honest and impartial, that would not flatter you nor deceive you? Yea and perhaps, when desertions, or Melancholy, or passion, or ignorance do make you unmeet to judge of your selves: And doth all this seem nothing to you? or a small matter? It is not nothing: It is not small: I confess it is no ground of certainty: ⟨p. 442⟩They are but men: It is a humane testimony: But yet it is a testimony, that may weigh down many of your own surmises, and take off much of your distressing fears; and may give much ease to troubled souls, while they are seeking after surer knowledge: It is a ground of comfort, not to be despised, or made light of: Till you can come to see your evidences your selves, and to be acquainted with the indwelling spirit as your witness, you may much quiet your minds, and take much comfort, in this judgement and witness of the servants of the Lord, that have a spirit of discerning ▪ and have that grace which acquainteth them with the nature of grace in others, and that have been long exercised in the discerning of mens states: It is possible an Hypocrite (especially one that wilfully giveth them a false relation of himself) may deceive them: but it is Probable that it is not one of many they are deceived in, when they know or have a good description of the Person. If in a Law suit all the ablest Lawyers tell you that your cause is good; it is possible they may be deceived, but it is not likely; If in a Feaver all the ablest Physicions tell you, the danger is past, it is possible yet that they may be all deceived: But yet ⟨p. 443⟩I think you would take some comfort in such a testimony; so should you here: Though the Judgement of Ministers be not infallible, it may be much better then your own, though about your selves: and it may be set against the jealousies and fears of a disquiet soul, and against abundance of the molesting suggestions of the accuser.
