Secondly, a man that hath real assurance of his effectual calling, that man meets with more assaults and Temptations from the devil to annoy him in his peace, then other men do that have only a counterfeit assurance, As you know those shops that have the best wares, and richest Treasures, Goldsmiths shops, they are most exposed to Robbery; when men will not meddle with a petty stall. Those ships that are most richly laden, they are in most danger to meet with Pirates at Sea, when your smaller barks laden with goods of lesser value scape free: It is so with Christians. Those Christians, that are most richly laden with the Treasure of assurance, that have in their hearts this precious Jewel, they are in most danger of the devils temptations, to be as a Pirate or Robber by force to set upon them, to annoy them. It is those that have most assurance, that the devil doth envy most, that he will never let them alone, but hunts them as a Partridge over the Mountains by dejections, and by suggestions, and by variety of Temptations. Satan's fieriest darts; and by distrust, and by injected scruples, and by cavils of carnal reasonings, and by consulting with fl•sh and blood, and for want of comfortable feelings; the devil will be still putting them on, to see if he can damp their comforts, and make them cast away their confidence, which hath a great recompense of reward. Hence it is the Apostle ⟨p. 124⟩presseth that Christians should not cast away their confidence, (a Metaphor some think drawn from a Ship at Sea;1 Merchants, when they are at Sea, when their ship by a storm and tempest is tossed upon the billows, and likely to suffer shipwreck, being heavy laden, they will cast away their wares, to save their lives. Now some in allusion to this, think that the devil so tosseth a poor soul in point of comfort, as a ship is tossed upon the Sea by the wind. Now if you are tossed upon the Sea of Temptation, and upon the waves of Trouble and Assaults, do not cast away your wares, do not throw away your comforts) which implies, that godly men are often set upon, and often assaulted; that though the devil cannot bring you to hell, he would fain have you to have a hell in your consciences while you live; he doth not only envy your happiness, but comforts also: Whereas on the contrary, men that harbour persuasions they are called, when they are not;
Secondly, a man that hath reall assurance of his effectual calling, that man meets with more assaults and Temptations from the devil to annoy him in his peace, then other men do that have only a counterfeit assurance, As you know those shops that have the best wares, and richest Treasures, Goldsmiths shops, they are most exposed to Robbery; when men will not meddle with a petty stall. Those ships that are most richly laden, they are in most danger to meet with Pirats at Sea, when your smaller barks laden with goods of lesser value scape free: It is so with Christians. Those Christians, that are most richly laden with the Treasure of assurance, that have in their hearts this precious Jewel, they are in most danger of the devils temptations, to be as a Pirat or Robber by force to set upon them, to annoy them. It is those that have most assurance, that the devil doth envy most, that he will never let them alone, but hunts them as a Partridge over the Mountaines by dejections, and by suggestions, and by variety of Temptations. Satans fieriest darts; and by distrust, and by injected scruples, and by cavils of carnal reasonings, and by consulting with fl•sh and blood, and for want of comfortable feelings; the devil will be stil putting them on, to see if he can damp their comforts, and make them cast away their confidence, which hath a great recompence of reward. Hence it is the Apostle ⟨p. 124⟩presseth that Christians should not cast away their confidence, (a Metaphor some think drawn from a Ship at Sea;1 Merchants, when they are at Sea, when their ship by a storm and tempest is tossed upon the billows, and likely to suffer shipwrack, being heavy laden, they will cast away their wares, to save their lives. Now some in allusion to this, think that the devil so tosseth a poor soul in point of comfort, as a ship is tossed upon the Sea by the winde. Now if you are tossed upon the Sea of Temptation, and upon the waves of Trouble and Assaults, do not cast away your wares, do not throw away your comforts) which implies, that godly men are often set upon, and often assaulted; that though the devil cannot bring you to hell, he would fain have you to have a hell in your consciences while you live; he doth not onely envy your happinesse, but comforts also: Whereas on the contrary, men that harbour perswasions they are called, when they are not;
- 1Heb. 10 35.
