now till the Spirit shines upon his own work, the Soul is in the dark,1 the Graces of the Spirit are best seen in the light of the Spirit, as we see the Sun best by his own light: Tis good for doubting Christians when they are in the dark, to hold fast this conclusion, viz. that they may be upright, though at present they are not able to see their uprightness. Now though this will not bring in a full Tide of comfort into their Souls, yet it will keep them from despair, and it will support and uphold their hearts, till the Spirit, who is a Messenger of a thousand, shall show them their uprightness. Tell me O thou mourning Christian if thou canst, where are those clear Scriptures that proves deadness, dullness, and indisposedness in duty (though it be sadly lamented, bewailed and mourned over, and much striven against, yea though it be the great grief and burden of the Soul) to be characters of Hypocrites, or of hypocrisy, ⟨p. 76⟩or of one that is unsound? Tell me O thou disquieted Christian if thou canst, where are those clear Scriptures that proves the want of those enlargements, ravishments, joys, comforts,2 peace or assurance that some others have, to be characters of Hypocrites or hypocrisy, or of one that is unsound? and yet upon the account of the above mentioned things on the one hand, and under a sensible want of the things last cited on the other hand, how exceeding apt and prone are many poor weak doubting trembling Christians, confidently and peremptorily to conclude themselves to be Hypocrites, and to be unsound, and that they have not a dram of Grace, nor no saving interest in Christ at all. O Sirs! remember this once for all, that as you must never admit of any Arguments, Pleas, or Reasonings for the comfort peace and refreshment of your souls, but such as are attended with the evidence of clear Scripture; but such as are backed with pregnant Scriptures: So you must never admit of any Pleas, Arguments or Reasonings, to trouble, vex, perplex, and disquiet the peace of your souls, but such as are attended with clear Scripture evidence, but such as are well backed with Canonical Scripture. Now if this choice Rule were but wisely observed, and carefully, frequently, and conscientiously practised by many weak doubting trembling Christians, how would it set them at liberty from their fears, doubts, and misgivings of heart;
now till the Spirit shines upon his own work, the Soul is in the dark,1 the Graces of the Spirit are best seen in the light of the Spirit, as we see the Sun best by his own light: Tis good for doubting Christians when they are in the dark, to hold fast this conclusion, viz. that they may be upright, though at present they are not able to see their uprightness. Now though this will not bring in a full Tyde of comfort into their Souls, yet it will keep them from despair, and it will support and uphold their hearts, till the Spirit, who is a Messenger of a thousand, shall shew them their uprightness. Tell me O thou mourning Christian if thou canst, where are those clear Scriptures that proves deadness, dulness, and indisposedness in duty (though it be sadly lamented, bewailed and mourned over, and much striven against, yea though it be the great grief and burden of the Soul) to be characters of Hypocrites, or of hypocrisy, ⟨p. 76⟩or of one that is unsound? Tell me O thou disquieted Christian if thou canst, where are those clear Scriptures that proves the want of those enlargements, ravishments, joyes, comforts,2 peace or assurance that some others have, to be characters of Hypocrites or hypocrisy, or of one that is unsound? and yet upon the account of the above mentioned things on the one hand, and under a sensible want of the things last cited on the other hand, how exceeding apt and prone are many poor weak doubting trembling Christians, confidently and peremptorily to conclude themselves to be Hypocrites, and to be unsound, and that they have not a dram of Grace, nor no saving interest in Christ at all. O Sirs! remember this once for all, that as you must never admit of any Arguments, Pleas, or Reasonings for the comfort peace and refreshment of your souls, but such as are attended with the evidence of clear Scripture; but such as are backt with pregnant Scriptures: So you must never admit of any Pleas, Arguments or Reasonings, to trouble, vex, perplex, and disquiet the peace of your souls, but such as are attended with clear Scripture evidence, but such as are well backt with Canonical Scripture. Now if this choice Rule were but wisely observed, and carefully, frequently, and conscientiously practised by many weak doubting trembling Christians, how would it set them at liberty from their fears, doubts, and misgivings of heart;
- 11 Cor. 2.12.
- 2In all Soul cases, God expects we should consult his word, and cleave to his word, without warping or turning aside either to the right hand or to the left, John 12.48. That book that shall try you at last, and that shall save you or damn you in the great day, is the only book by which you must make a judgment of your present and future estates. Clemens of Alexandria, speaking of the Word, saith, it is the touchstone of truth and falsehood.In all Soul cases, God expects we should consult his word, and cleave to his word, without warping or turning aside either to the right hand or to the left, John 12.48. That book that shall try you at last, and that shall save you or damn you in the great day, is the only book by which you must make a judgment of your present and future estates. Clemens of Alexandria, speaking of the Word, saith, it is the touchstone of truth and falshood.
