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

Prop. 4 Fourthly, As a man may have strong faith, and yet for a great time, may be deprived of the feeling of it; so it is possible, a man may be a Godly, Gracious man, yet may continue, and go on doubting for a long time, yea possibly, he may dye doubting also. The Godly and the wicked, are contrary: now for the wicked, you, shall find, that a wicked man, may think his condition good, yet it may be very naught: he may have hope, and persuasion, that he shall go to heaven, and he may die in these persuasions, yet he may go to hell. Rev. 3. ye read thus of the Churches of Laodicea, at vers. 16. So then, because thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth, I would thou wert cold or hot vers. 15. These were very wicked; had these people any thoughts of mercy? or did they think their spiritual condition was good? R••d vers. 17. Because thou sayest I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and ⟨p. 125⟩knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, & blind and naked. So that, I say, a wicked man, may think his condition good, and yet it may be very naught. Yea daily experience tells us, besides the Parable of the foolish Virgins, That he may die in these persuasions. So, on the contrary, a man may think his condition naught, and go fearing and trembling a long while, yea, even die under these fears, yet his condition may be very good. (Consider it rightly) I know indeed, ordinarily, God doth come in with some comfort or other unto a child of God before he dies; but I would be loath to say, and you will be loath to think, that certainly, that man goes to hell, that doubteth of his Salvation, or that dies doubting of his Salvation. No, possibly a man may doubt, and fear, and doubt long, even die doubting, without a settled assurance of Gods love; yet he may go to Heaven, and be saved for ever. What then, though thou hast stayed long, and hast long wanted Assurance, yet God hath not led thee so far, as he hath led some, and thy condition is no other, than that which may befall the dear servants and children of God.

Prop. 4 Fourthly, As a man may have strong faith, and yet for a great time, may be deprived of the feeling of it; so it is possible, a man may be a Godly, Gracious man, yet may continue, and go on doubting for a long time, yea possibly, he may dye doubting also. The Godly and the wicked, are contrary: now for the wicked, you, shal find, that a wicked man, may think his condition good, yet it may be very naught: he may have hope, and perswasion, that he shal goe to heaven, and he may die in these perswasions, yet he may goe to hell.