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

Quest. How may that appear?

Answ. 1 First, thus: If the want of Assurance be not the damning unbelief, then a man hath no reason to be quite discouraged, although he do want Assurance. Now, though there may be much unbelief bound up in the want of Assurance, yet I say, the bare want of Assurance, is not that unbelief that shall damn ones soul to all Eternity, not that unbelief which Christ threatens with damnation. For if you look into John, 3.18. you shall find our Saviour speaking thus: He that believeth on him, is not condemned: but ⟨p. 114⟩he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. But now, lest any poor soul, that would fain believe, and cannot, should be afflicted, and troubled at these words; therefore saith our Saviour Christ, in the following words, I will tell you wherein lies the damnableness of Unbelief; verse 19. This is the Condemnation (he speaks in relation to the words before) And this is the Condemnation, That Light is come into the World, and men love Darkness rather than Light, because their deeds are evil. For every one that doth evil, hateth the light; neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved, or discovered: This Light is Christ. Now therefore, Doest thou hate the Light, Christ? and therefore keepest from it, lest thy deeds should be discovered? Or rather on the contrary, Doest thou not know there are evil deeds in thy life, and much evil in thy heart? and doest thou not therefore desire to come to Christ, who is the true Light, that thy deeds may be discovered, and thy sin amended? Then, though thou canst not believe as thou wouldest, and though thou doest want Assurance, and though thou hast much Unbelief in thee, the Lord Jesus Christ hath spoken it, Thou shalt never be condemned to all Eternity for this want, but the Lord Christ will pardon this unto thee: and therefore certainly, upon this account, Gods People have no reason for their discouragement.

Answ. 1 First, thus: If the want of Assurance be not the damning unbelief, then a man hath no reason to be quite discouraged, although he do want Assurance. Now, though there may be much unbelief bound up in the want of Assurance, yet I say, the bare want of Assurance, is not that unbelief that shall damn ones soul to all Eternity, not that unbelief which Christ threatens with damnation. For if you look into