The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

DOUBT. XX.

I Read in Scripture that through many tribulations we must enter into heaven; and that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution: and that he that taketh not up his Cross, and so followeth Christ, cannot be his Disciple: and that if we are not corrected, we are bastards, and not sons: But I never had any Affliction from God, but have lived in constant prosperity to this day. Christ saith, Woe to you, when all men speak well of you:: but all men for ought I know speak well of me: and therefore I doubt of my sincerity.

I Read in Scripture that through many tribulations we must enter into heaven; and that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution: and that he that taketh not up his Cross, and so followeth Christ, cannot be his Disciple: and that if we are not corrected, we are bastards, and not sons: But I never had any Affliction from God, but have lived in constant prosperity to this day. Christ saith, Wo to you, when all men speak well of you:: but all men for ought I know speak well of me: and therefore I doubt of my sincerity.

ANSWER.

I Would not have mentioned this Doubt, but that I was so foolish as to be troubled with it my self: and perhaps some others may be as foolish as I: though I think but few in these times; our great friends have Done so much to Resolve them more effectually then words could have done. 1. Some of those Texts speak only of mans duty of bearing persecution and tribulation, when God lays it on us, rather then of the Event, that it shall certainly come. 2. Yet I think it ordinarily certain and to be expected as to the Event: Doubtless Tribulation is Gods common road to Heaven: Every ignorant person is so well ware of this, that they delude themselves in their sufferings, saying, That God hath given them their punishment in this life, and therefore they hope he will not punish them in another. If any soul be so silly as to fear and doubt, for want of Affliction; if none else will do the Cure, let them but follow my Counsel, and I dare warrant them for this, and I will advise them to nothing but what is honest, yea and necessary, and what I have tried effectually upon my self: and I can assure you, it