An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Secondly, As we must highly esteem this work of grace, so we must have a ¹Certainty and persuasion that we have obtained it. Had not Paul known, that his heart had been sincere, that he was not acted by carnal wisdom, he could ⟨p. 381⟩never have rejoiced. For Philosophers make joy to be in that good thing we do possess, and also the knowledge thereof. This Text then doth abundantly declare, that the people of God may have a certain knowledge of the work of grace. So that although the heart be indeed deceitful and full of hypocrisy, yet when sanctified, it hath some measure of truth and sincerity in it, and so far doth not deceive us. He then that would rejoice in the grace of God wrought in him, must press after assurance, must endeavour after a certain persuasion of the truth of grace in him. And although this persuasion be not justifying faith, yea it is separable from it. A man may be justified, may be sanctified, and not know it, yet it is such a privilege, yea and duty also, that we should diligently take heed of all those things, that may weaken our assurance, that may make us to doubt and question, whether Jesus Christ be in us or no.

Secondly, As we must highly esteem this work of grace, so we must have a ¹Certainty and perswasion that we have obtained it. Had not Paul known, that his heart had been sincere, that he was not acted by carnal wisdome, he could ⟨p. 381⟩never have rejoyced. For Philosophers make joy to be in that good thing we do possesse, and also the knowledge thereof. This Text then doth abundantly declare, that the people of God may have a certain knowledge of the work of grace. So that although the heart be indeed deceitfull and full of hypocrisie, yet when sanctified, it hath some measure of truth and sincerity in it, and so far doth not deceive us. He then that would rejoyce in the grace of God wrought in him, must presse after assurance, must endeavour after a certain perswasion of the truth of grace in him. And although this perswasion be not justifying faith, yea it is separable from it. A man may be justified, may be sanctified, and not know it, yet it is such a priviledge, yea and duty also, that we should diligently take heed of all those things, that may weaken our assurance, that may make us to doubt and question, whether Jesus Christ be in us or no.