I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

There is a Faith of Reliance, and there is a Faith of Assurance. As the Faith of Assurance hath a Shall be of Mercy for its bottom; so a May be of Mercy, is a sufficient ground, and bottom, for the Faith of Reliance. Jonathan and his Armour-bearer, had but a may be of Mercy, when they went against their Enemies; It may be the Lord will work for us, 1 Sam. 14.6. yet they relied on God. Now, though Christ did not die for all particular men, yet if he died for sinners indefinitely, there is a may be of Mercy for me. But so it is, that Christ did die for sinners indefinitely, though not for sinners universally; and therefore there is a sufficient ground for me to believe, and rely on him.

There is a Faith of Relyance, and there is a Faith of Assurance. As the Faith of Assurance hath a Shall be of Mercy for its bottom; so a May be of Mercy, is a sufficient ground, and bottom, for the Faith of Relyance. Jonathan and his Armor-bearer, had but a may be of Mercy, when they went against their Enemies; It may be the Lord will work for us, 1 Sam. 14.6. yet they relyed on God. Now, though Christ did not die for all particular men, yet if he died for sinners indefinitly, there is a may be of Mercy for me. But so it is, that Christ did die for sinners indefinitely, though not for sinners universally; and therefore there is a sufficient ground for me to beleeve, and rely on him.

Ye know, or may know, That the Act of Reliance, is before the act of Assurance. I must indeed be assured, that Christ is able to save me, before I rely on him; but I must first rely on him, before I can be assured that he will save me: and by this Act of Reliance, we grow up into Assurance; I know that he will show mercy to me, by my coming to him, and relying on him; for he hath said, Whoever comes unto me, I will in no wise cast out. Now if my Assurance be raised from the Act of Reliance, then the first ground and bottom of the conclusion of my Faith, is not this General Proposition, Christ died for all; but this Indefinite Proposition, Christ died for sinners: And if the conclusion of Faith must arise from a General Proposition, then take it thus; Whoever comes to Christ, and relieth on him, shall be saved: or thus; Christ died for all those that do come to him, and rely on him: But I come to him, and rely on him, therefore Christ died for me, and I shall be saved by him. So that thus now, ye see the want of that General Proposition, Christ died for all men, is no hindrance to the Conclusion, or Assurance of our Faith; and therefore you have no reason to be discouraged in reference to this Objection.