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…

In like manner, a Scholar or a young disputant may argue and dispute (be it in Philosophy or Divinity) upon very right and sure principles, yet peradventure, not without great fear and doubting in his own thoughts, till he be put out of that fear, by the approbation and testimony of his learned Master who presideth in the dispute. The evidence of good marks while it is opened unto us, may make our hearts to burn within us, as those Disciples said, which were going to Emmaus, but yet our eyes are held (as it was with them) that we do not know Christ in us, or talking with us, until our eyes be opened by the Spirit. No doubt they had much light breaking in upon their understandings, while Christ expounded unto them the Scriptures by the way, and this light was with life and heat in their hearts: But after they knew Christ in ⟨p. 252⟩breaking of bread, then, and not till then, came the fullness of persuasion, and then they could say, The Lord is risen indeed. Luke 24. 15, 16, 30, 31, 32, 34. Our inward evidence of graces or use of signs may bring the Children to the birth (I mean in point of assurance) but 'tis the evidence of the Spirit of God, which giveth strength to come forth. Without this evidence of the Spirit of God, the soul doth but grope after a full assurance, as it were in the dark; but when the holy Ghost cometh to do the office of a Comforter, then there is light and liberty.

In like manner, a Scholler or a young disputant may argue and dispute (be it in Philosophie or Divinity) upon very right and sure principles, yet perdventure, not without great feare and doubting in his own thoughts, till he be put out of that feare, by the approbation and testimony of his learned Master who presideth in the dispute. The evidence of good markes while it is opened unto us, may make our hearts to burne within us, as those Disciples said, which were going to Emmaus, but yet our eyes are held (as it was with them) that wee doe not know Christ in us, or talking with us, untill our eyes be opened by the Spirit. No doubt they had much light breaking in upon their understandings, while Christ expounded unto them the Scriptures by the way, and this light was with life and heat in their hearts: But after they knew Christ in ⟨p. 252⟩breaking of bread, then, and not till then, came the fulnesse of perswasion, and then they could say, The Lord is risen indeed.