A42771:461
A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…
A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are discussed and resolved ... / by Mr. George Gillespie ... ; published by Mr. Patrick Gillespie ...A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are discussed and resolved ... / by Mr. George Gillespie ... ; published by Mr. Patrik Gillespie ...
Edinburgh: printed by Gideon Lithgow for George Swintoun, 1649Edinburgh: printed by Gedeon Lithgovv for George Svvintoun, 1649
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. XXI.
Of an assurance of an interest in Christ, by the marks and fruits of sanctification, and namely by love to the Brethren. Also how this agreeth with, or differeth from assurance by the Testimony of the Spirit? and whether there can be any well grounded assurance without marks of grace.
Of an assurance of an interest in Christ, by the marks and fruits of sanctification, and namely by love to the Brethren. Also how this agreeth with, or differeth from assurance by the Testimony of the Spirit? and whether there can bee any well grounded assurance without marks of grace.
Tis a right, a safe, a sure way to seek after, and to enjoy assurance of our interest in Christ, and in the Covenant of grace, by the marks and fruits of Sanctification. Which (before I come to the proof of it) that it may not be mistaken, but understood aright, take these three cautions; first, our best marks can contribute nothing to our justification, but only to our consolation, cannot avail to peace with God, but to peace with our selves; gracious marks can prove our justification and peace with God, but cannot be instrumental towards it, that is proper to faith. Faith cannot lodge in the soul alone, and without other graces, yet faith alone justifies before God. Secondly, beware that marks of grace do not lead us from Christ, or make us look upon our selves, as any thing at all out of Christ. Thou bearest not the root; but the root bears thee. Christ is made unto us of God, sanctification as well as righteousness. Thy very inherent grace and sanctification is in Christ, as light in the sun, as water in the fountain, as sap in the root, as money in the treasure. 'Tis thine only by irradiation, effluence, diffusion, and disbursement from Jesus Christ. 'Tis Christs by propriety, thine only by participation. 'Tis thy Union with Christ, which conveys the habits of grace to thy soul. 'Tis thy communion with Christ, which stirs up, actuateth, and putteth forth those habits into holy duties