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

Which of these two, think you, is in the best condition, and comes most honestly by his Comfort? Will you not say, surely, the latter? for though he fears, yet he is always doing, working Heaven-ward: The other, though confident, and full of Comforts, hath no good way for to bring them in, and therefore surely his Evidence for Heaven is stolen, his Comforts are all stolen: But as for the other, though he hath but little Comfort, yet he comes truly by it. Thus it may be with you; whilst others swaggering it, and braving it out with their Comfort, and false Confidence, go to Hell, and perish everlastingly. It is a sure Rule, That Gods Promise of Mercy, doth suppose our Misery; if he promise health, he supposeth our sickness; if he promise Grace, it supposeth our sin. Now, though in the times of the old Testament, God promised much outward Blessing, yet in the times of the new Testament, the Mercy promised, is, To send the Comforter; the Spirit who shall bear witness unto our Spirits, that we are the Children of God: often our Saviour saith; I will send the Comfor•• ▪ Why? but to show, that in the times of the Gospel, the People of God shall labour under doubtings, and be full of fears about their Spiritual estate; and therefore, though you do doubt of your Child-ship (which is your evil) yet your state herein, is no other than what may be the state, and condition of Gods own People in these Gospel times; why therefore should you be discouraged in this respect?

Which of these two, think you, is in the best condition, and comes most honestly by his Comfort? Will you not say, surely, the latter? for though he fears, yet he is alwaies doing, working Heaven-ward: The other, though confident, and ful of Comforts, hath no good way for to bring them in, and therefore surely his Evidence for Heaven is stolen, his Comforts are all stolen: But as for the other, though he hath but little Comfort, yet he comes truly by it. Thus it may be with you; whilst others swaggering it, and braving it out with their Comfort, and false Confidence, go to Hell, and perish everlastingly. It is a sure Rule, That Gods Promise of Mercy, doth suppose our Misery; if he promise health, he supposeth our sickness; if he promise Grace, it supposeth our sin. Now, though in the times of the old Testament, God promised much outward Blessing, yet in the times of the new Testament, the Mercy promised, is, To send the Comforter; the Spirit who shall bear witness unto our Spirits, that we are the Children of God: often our Savior saith; I wil send the Comfor Why? but to show, that in the times of the Gospel, the People of God shall labor under doubtings, and be full of fears about their Spiritual estate; and therefore, though you do doubt of your Child-ship (which is your evil) yet your state herein, is no other than what may be the state, and condition of Gods own People in these Gospel times; why therefore should you be discouraged in this respect?