Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture

1. It is the very riches of faith, the most pleasant fruit which grows upon the top branches of faith. The Scripture tells us of an assurance of Understanding, hope, and faith: All these graces are precious in themselves, but the assurance of each of them is the most sweet and pleasant part. Knowledge above knowledge is the full assurance of knowledge: Hope above hope, is the full assurance of hope; and faith above faith, is the full assurance of faith. The least and lowest act of saving faith is precious, & above all value; what then must the highest and most excellent acts of faith be? Certainly, there is a sweetness in the assurance of faith, that few men have the privilege to taste; and they that do, can find no words able to express it to another's Understanding. The weakest Christian is exalted above other men, but the assured Christian ⟨p. 197⟩hath a preference before all other Christians.

1. It is the very riches of faith, the most pleasant fruit which grows upon the top branches of faith. The Scripture tells us of an assurance of Understanding, hope, and faith: All these graces are precious in themselvcs, but the assurance of each of them is the most sweet and pleasant part. Knowledge above knowledge is the full assurance of knowledge: Hope above hope, is the full assurance of hope; and faith above faith, is the full assurance of faith. The least and lowest act of saving faith is precious, & above all value; what then must the highest and most excellent acts of faith be? Certainly, there is a sweetness in the assurance of faith, that few men have the privilege to taste; and they that do, can find no words able to express it to anothers Understanding. The weakest Christian is exalted above other men, but the assured Christian ⟨p. 197⟩hath a preference before all other Christians.

2. It is hearts ease, the very Sabbath and sweet repose of the soul. Thousands of poor Christians would part with all they possess in this world, to enjoy it, but it flies from them. The life that most of them live, is a life betwixt hopes and fears; their interest in Christ is very doubtful to them. Sometimes they are encouraged from sensible working of grace, then all is dashed again, by the contrary stirrings and workings of their own corruptions. Now the Sun shines out clear, by and by the Heavens are over-cast and clouded again: But the assured Christian is at rest from those tormenting fears and jealousies, which my Text speaks of, that are as cruel as the grave, and as insufferable as coals of fire in a mans bosom. He can take Christ into the arms of his faith, and say, My Beloved is mine, and I am his. Return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.