The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

2. Is it a comfortable state to be uncertain, or to have before thee apparent grounds of a rational, and just doubt? For causeless doubts may sooner vanish, when their causelessness is once discovered; and so they are less likely to keep a person that is capable of understanding his own case, under a stated discomfort. But I suppose thee, in order to the answering the foregoing Query, to have in some measure considered thy case; and that, with a preponderating apprehension of danger in it, thou returnest it uncertain. Uncertain man! and what, wilt thou remain uncertain? wilt thou sit still so, till thou perish? shall thy life hang in doubt, and thy soul be in jeopardy ⟨p. 255⟩every hour, till the everlasting flames resolve the doubt; and put the matter out of question with thee? What course canst thou apply thy self to, but to inquire, and search further into thy own state, to avoid the torture of thy own fears, the pangs, and dreadful expectations of a palpitating misgiving heart; 'tis true, that inquisitive, diligent doubtfulness, hath hope, and comfort in it. But doubtfulness, joined with a resolution of casting off all further care, is utterly desperate, and disconsolate; what remains to thee in that case, but a fearful, looking for a fiery indignation? how canst thou pass an hour in peace, while thou apprehendest it unlikely, thou see the face, and be satisfied with the image of God, do not thy own thoughts represent to thee the amazing sights, the horrid images which shall for ever entertain, and possess thy soul? Art thou not daily haunted with Divine Horrors? when thou sayest at night, thy bed shall refresh thee, art thou not terrified with dreams, and affrighted with visions? Dost thou not say in the morning, would to God it were evening, and in the evening say, would to God it were morning: And while thou knowest not what else to do, meditate only changes instead of remedies. Or if thou find no such trouble invading thy mind, let me further ask.

2. Is it a comfortable state to be uncertain, or to have before thee apparent grounds of a rational, and just doubt? For causeless doubts may sooner vanish, when their causelesness is once discovered; and so they are less likely to keep a person that is capable of understanding his own case, under a stated discomfort. But I suppose thee, in order to the answering the foregoing Querie, to have in some measure considered thy case; and that, with a preponderating apprehension of danger in it, thou returnest it uncertain. Uncertain man! and what, wilt thou remain uncertain? wilt thou sit still so, till thou perish? shall thy life hang in doubt, and thy soul be in jeopardy