Sixthly, consider, That 'tis granted on all hands, that the least degree of grace, if true, is sufficient to salvation; for the promises of life and glory, of remission and salvation, of everlasting happiness and blessedness,1 are not made over to degrees of grace, but to the truth of grace, not to faith in triumph, but to faith in truth; and therefore the sense and evidence of the least grace, yea of the least degree of the least grace, may afford some measure of assurance. Grace is the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. and the Tree is known by his fruit, Mat. 12.33. I don't say,2 that weak grace will afford a strong assurance, or a full assurance (for that rather arises from strength of grace, than from truth of grace) but I say, weak grace may afford some assurance: And oh, that all weak Christians would seriously lay this to heart, for it may serve to relieve them against many fears, doubts, discouragements and jealousies, which do much disturb the peace and comfort of their precious souls; though the least measures of grace can't satisfy a sincere Christian, yet they ought to quiet his conscience, and cheer his heart, and confirm his judgment of his interest in Christ. The least measure of grace is like a Diamond, very little in bulk, but of high price and mighty value, and accordingly we are to improve it for our comfort and encouragement. A Goldsmith makes reckoning of the least filings of gold,3 and so should we of the least measures of grace. A man may read the Kings Image upon a silver penny, as well as upon a larger piece of coin. The least dram of grace bears the Image of God upon it; and why then should it not evidence the goodness and happiness of a Christians estate. It's a true saying, That the assurance of an eternal life, is the life of this temporal life. I have read, that Mr. Jordain, one of the Aldermen of the City of Exeter, would use to ask grown Professors, whether they had any assurance; which if they denied, he would tell them, that he was even ashamed of ⟨p. 18⟩them; In good earnest (saith he) I would study the promises, and go into my closet, and lock the door, and there plead them to God, and say, that I would not go forth, till he gave me some sense of his love. He would often mention and try himself by these three Marks: First, a sincere desire to fear the name of God, which he grounded upon that, Neh. 1. ult.
SIxthly, consider, That 'tis granted on all hands, that the least degree of grace, if true, is sufficient to salvation; for the promises of life and glory, of remission and salvation, of everlasting happiness and blessedness,1 are not made over to degrees of grace, but to the truth of grace, not to faith in triumph, but to faith in truth; and therefore the sense and evidence of the least grace, yea of the least degree of the least grace, may afford some measure of assurance. Grace is the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. and the Tree is known by his fruit, Mat. 12.33. I don't say,2 that weak grace will afford a strong assurance, or a full assurance (for that rather arises from strength of grace, than from truth of grace) but I say, weak grace may afford some assurance: And oh, that all weak Christians would seriously lay this to heart, for it may serve to relieve them against many fears, doubts, discouragements and jealousies, which do much disturb the peace and comfort of their precious souls; though the least measures of grace can't satisfie a sincere Christian, yet they ought to quiet his conscience, and chear his heart, and confirm his judgment of his interest in Christ. The least measure of grace is like a Diamond, very little in bulk, but of high price and mighty value, and accordingly we are to improve it for our comfort and encouragement. A Goldsmith makes reckoning of the least filings of gold,3 and so should we of the least measures of grace. A man may read the Kings Image upon a silver penny, as well as upon a larger piece of coyn. The least dram of grace bears the Image of God upon it; and why then should it not evidence the goodness and happiness of a Christians estate. It's a true saying, That the assurance of an eternal life, is the life of this temporal life. I have read, that Mr. Jordain, one of the Aldermen of the City of Exeter, would use to ask grown Professors, whether they had any assurance; which if they denied, he would tell them, that he was even ashamed of ⟨p. 18⟩them; In good earnest (saith he) I would study the promises, and go into my closet, and lock the door, and there plead them to God, and say, that I would not go forth, till he gave me some sence of his love. He would often mention and try himself by these three Marks: First, a sincere desire to fear the name of God, which he grounded upon that,
- 1Mark. 16.16. John 3.16, 36. M•t. 5. John 6, 40.
- 2An eminent Minister, who was a famous instrument of converting many to God, was wont to say, that for his own pat he had no other evidence in himself of being in the state of grace, than that he was sensible of his deadness.
- 3Slight not the lowest, the meanest evidences of grace. God may put thee to make use of the lowest as thou thinkest, even that, 1 Joh. 3.14. that may be worth a thousand worlds to thee. Page 33. of a little piece called a choice drop of honey.
