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

INSTANCE, IV. Object. O! I want assurance of the love of God, must I not be then discouraged? Page 111 Answ. Negatively Yet it is a sore evil Page 112 He that wants the assurance of Gods love, is neither fit to receive mercy from God, nor to praise God ibid. He that wants the assurance of Gods love, converseth too much with Satan ibid. Quest. How may it appear we must not be discouraged, when we want this assurance? Page 113 1 Answ. negatively. For want of Assurance is not that unbelief that condemneth us. ib. 2 Want of Assurance shall turn to the Saints good Page 114 They gain experience by it, to see the emptiness of their own righteousness ibid. A man learns thus to comfort others Page 115 3 A good man may have comfort, though he want assurance ⟨image 290⟩Page 115 Object. I have no Promise to bring me comfort Page 116 Answ. Negatively, 1 That must not discourage a Christian, for have you not the word of the Gospel? ib. 2 The promise of grace belongeth to you: proved by three Reasons. 1 You do, or have rested on the Promise. 2. If the Command belong unto you, why not the Promise? 3. It is your duty to rest on the Promise Page 117 Object. 2. Gods Promise in Scripture, runs upon some Condition which I cannot perform ib. Answ. 1 A good man may apply the Promise, though he hath not performed the Condition. ib. 2 The condition of one promise is the thing promised in another promise Page 118 3 The condition of the promise is performed for you, better than you can perform it ib. Object. Instead of a promise, there is a threatening on my Soul. Page 119 Answ. 1 God hath two Arms to draw his Children to him; the Arm of Love, and the Arm of Anger. ibid. 2 Joshua sometimes lost the sight of the promise: and for the threatening, you know how it was with David Page 120 3 A Threatening from God, may be repealed, but a promise shall never be repealed. ibid. The Reason is, God never repeals in the matter of the Gospel Page 121 Object. I have assurance of Gods displeasure, must I not then be discouraged? Page 122 Answ. Negatively. 1 It may be you look on the back side of Gods dispensation, wherein appears his Anger. ibid. 2 There is no such testimony of Reprobation in all the Scripture ibid. Object. I have been without assurance these many years, yet living under Gospel means; therefore I look for none Page 123 Answ. Negatively. 1 Our evidence for Heaven, is in Gods keeping. ibid.