As we should not put the seeking of God's Glory, and our own Salvation, in opposition, but in subordination, tho God's Glory and the pleasing of his Will be the ultimate end, and our Salvation to be sought by us in order thereunto: Wherefore in seeking after an evidence of Grace, and Title to Heaven, I think it is a needless and unwarrantable puzzling of our selves; and that which hath sorely afflicted some gracious persons, and filled them with unnecessary doubts, and fears, and torments of mind, to demand of our selves, Whether we could be content to be damned, to go to Hell, to suffer everlasting Torments, and the burning, fiery, flaming Wrath of God poured out upon the damned, so that God may be thereby glorified. I shall forbear to judge the state of my Soul by this, as a Character of Grace, and Preaching of it unto others, till some shall show me this is propounded in the Gospel as a Condition of the Pardon of my Sin, and the Salvation of my Soul, which hitherto I have not observed: For how can I earnestly desire to be Saved, and yet be willing and content to be Damned? Long to be with him, and yet content to be for ever separated from him? I do find God threatens men with Hell, to awaken them to look after Heaven, and deliverance from Hell, but I do not find God propounding as a condition of Salvation, to be content to go to Hell, that we might be received up to Heaven. That I leave and ⟨p. 37⟩loathe my sin, repent and turn to God, believe and love him above all, thankfully accept him for my Lord and Saviour, is plainly required from me; and upon the sincere performance of these conditions, and persevering therein unto the end of my life, for Christ's sake, beloved and believed on, I may comfortably, well-groundedly hope, wait for, and expect through the Riches and Freeness of his Grace, Everlasting Happiness.
As we should not put the seeking of God's Glory, and our own Salvation, in opposition, but in subordination, tho God's Glory and the pleasing of his Will be the ultimate end, and our Salvation to be sought by us in order thereunto: Wherefore in seeking after an evidence of Grace, and Title to Heaven, I think it is a needless and unwarrantable puzzling of our selves; and that which hath sorely afflicted some gracious persons, and filled them with unnecessary doubts, and fears, and torments of mind, to demand of our selves, Whether we could be content to be damn'd, to go to Hell, to suffer everlasting Torments, and the burning, fiery, flaming Wrath of God poured out upon the damned, so that God may be thereby glorified. I shall forbear to judge the state of my Soul by this, as a Character of Grace, and Preaching of it unto others, till some shall shew me this is propounded in the Gospel as a Condition of the Pardon of my Sin, and the Salvation of my Soul, which hitherto I have not observed: For how can I earnestly desire to be Saved, and yet be willing and content to be Damned? Long to be with him, and yet content to be for ever separated from him? I do find God threatens men with Hell, to awaken them to look after Heaven, and deliverance from Hell, but I do not find God propounding as a condition of Salvation, to be content to go to Hell, that we might be received up to Heaven. That I leave and ⟨p. 37⟩loathe my sin, repent and turn to God, believe and love him above all, thankfully accept him for my Lord and Saviour, is plainly required from me; and upon the sincere performance of these conditions, and persevering therein unto the end of my life, for Christ's sake, beloved and believed on, I may comfortably, well-groundedly hope, wait for, and expect through the Riches and Freeness of his Grace, Everlasting Happiness.
