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

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.

Ye know, or may know, That the Act of Relyance, is before the act of Assurance. I must indeed be assured, that Christ is able to save me, before I relie on him; but I must first rely on him, before I can be assured that he wil save me: and by this Act of Relyance, we grow up into Assurance; I know that he will shew 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 Relyance, 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 shal 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.