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

Answ. Some few things by way of Direction here, and so I conclude this Argument.

First therefore, Doest thou want Assurance of Gods Love, and of thine own Salvation? Labour more and more, for to put to Sea, I mean, to the Sea and Ocean of Gods Love, and the deeps of Christs Merit and Satisfaction. When you are at Sea in a Storm, or stress of Weather, you desire Sea-room, and if ye have Sea-room enough, ye think all is well: It may be, there are some Passengers in the Vessel, or Ship, and they say, For the Love of God set us ashore, we are not able to ride out this storm; O! set us upon some Land or other: But the skilful Mariner saith, Nay, but still keep to Sea, if ye come to the Shore we are undone, we are all lost Creatures. So in this case; the time of the want of your Assurance, is a storm-time, it is a time of great stress upon your soul; and if ye skill not the Methods of Christ, you will say, O! now set me upon some Duty, upon the Coast of mine own Righteousness, or mine own Holiness: but if you have a skill in the way of the Gospel, you will rather cry out, and say, O! Lord, keep my soul in the Ocean of thy free Love, Sea-room, Sea-room, and all is well enough. Now there is Sea-room enough in the Ocean of Gods free Love, and of Christs Merits, and Satisfaction; but if you touch upon your own Righteousness, you do but endanger your soul, and sink your own heart into more despairing doubts and fears; stand off therefore now from your own Shore, and keep to Sea, even that great Sea of Gods Love, and Christs Merits.

First therefore, Doest thou want Assurance of Gods Love, and of thine own Salvation? Labor more and more, for to put to Sea, I mean, to the Sea and Ocean of Gods Love, and the deeps of Christs Merit and Satisfaction. When you are at Sea in a Storm, or stress of Weather, you desire Sea-room, and if ye have Sea-room enough, ye think all is well: It may be, there are some Passengers in the Vessel, or Ship, and they say, For the Love of God set us ashore, we are not able to ride out this storm; O! set us upon some Land or other: But the skilful Marriner saith, Nay, but still keep to Sea, if ye come to the Shoar we are undone, we are all lost Creatures. So in this case; the time of the want of your Assurance, is a storm-time, it is a time of great stress upon your soul; and if ye skil not the Methods of Christ, you wil say, O! now set me upon some Duty, upon the Coast of mine own Righteousness, or mine own Holiness: but if you have a skil in the way of the Gospel, you will rather cry out, and say, O! Lord, keep my soul in the Ocean of thy free Love, Sea-room, Sea-room, and all is wel enough. Now there is Sea-room enough in the Ocean of Gods free Love, and of Christs Merits, and Satisfaction; but if you touch upon your own Righteousness, you do but endanger your soul, and sink your own heart into more despairing doubts and fears; stand off therefore now from your own Shoar, and keep to Sea, even that great Sea of Gods Love, and Christs Merits.