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

Fifthly, Doest thou want peace and comfort and quietude of soul? Take heed how you walk with doubting company; take heed how you walk with those that are full of fears and doubtings. As one drunkard doth make another, and one swearer doth beget another, and one opposer of Godliness doth draw on another, and one adulterer doth make another; So one doubting Christian doth make another. You that are weak, and full of doubtings, should go and lean upon those that are strong and have full assurance; and you that have assurance, should give the shoulder to those that are weak, and say, come, and lean upon me, and I will be an help unto you. You know how it is with the Ivy and the Vine; the Ivy leans upon the Oak, and the Vine upon the Posts or the house-side; the Ivy and the Vine, do not lean one upon another; if the Ivy and the Vine, should come and lean one upon another, what twisting would there be; and both would fall to the ground: but the Ivy leans upon the Oak, and the Vine upon the Posts or the house-side. So a weak Christian should go and lean upon a strong Christian: but if one doubter leans upon another doubter, both will fall to the ground. I have read, of a woman that was under great temptations; and meeting with another in the same condition said to her, I am afraid I shall be damned, so am I too, said the other, O but said she again, I do not only fear, but I am sure of it, certainly I shall be damned; I but said the other, yet my condition is worse, for I am damned already. Here was damned, and damned: O! said one, I shall certainly be damned; O! said the other, I am damned already. O! what communion is here; is this to build up one another? Do you therefore want Comfort, and peace? You that are weak, go and lean upon those that are strong, and have full assurance; and you that have assurance, be not unwilling to give forth your shoulder unto those that are weak, and are full of doubtings.

Fiftly, Doest thou want peace and comfort and quietude of soul? Take heed how you walk with doubting company; take heed how you walk with those that are ful of fears and doubtings. As one drunkard doth make another, and one swearer doth beget another, and one opposer of Godliness doth draw on another, and one adulterer doth make another; So one doubting Christian doth make another. You that are weak, and ful of doubtings, should go and lean upon those that are strong and have ful assurance; and you that have assurance, should give the shoulder to those that are weak, and say, come, and lean upon me, and I wil be an help unto you. You know how it is with the Ivie and the Vine; the Ivie leans upon the Oak, and the Vine upon the Posts or the house-side; the Ivie and the Vine, do not lean one upon another; if the Ivie and the Vine, should come and lean one upon another, what twisting would there be; and both would sal to the ground: but the Ivie leans upon the Oak, and the Vine upon the Posts or the house-side. So a weak Christian should go and lean upon a strong Christian: but if one doubter leanes upon another doubter, both wil fal to the ground. I have read, of a woman that was under great temptations; and meeting with another in the same condition said to her, I am affraid I shal be damned, so am I too, said the other, O but said she again, I do not onely fear, but I am sure of it, certaynly I shal be damned; I but said the other, yet my condition is worse, for I am damned already. Here was damned, and damned: O! said one, I shal certainly be damned; O! said the other, I am damned already. O! what communion is here; is this to build up one another? Do you therefore want Comfort, and peace? You that are weak, go and lean upon those that are strong, and have ful assurance; and you that have assurance, be not unwilling to give forth your shoulder unto those that are weak, and are ful of doubtings.