The zealous Christian taking heavenThe zealovs Christian taking heaven

4. If these stirrings be fading; There are many that have a flushing in their affections, that have no standing affections in their hearts. They are like a man in a fever, that when the distemper is on him, he may be stronger by far, then he ⟨p. 67⟩is in his ordinary course; now this is not the natural strength of the man, but only the violence of his distemper, and the decay of nature. Just so the violence that some men have, doth not argue a strength of grace, but a decrease of grace rather. And so much for the second ground of that mistake.

4. If these stirrings be fading; There are many that have a flushing in their affections, that have no standing affections in their hearts. They are like a man in a fever, that when the distemper is on him, he may be stronger by farre, then he ⟨p. 67⟩is in his ordinary course; now this is not the naturall strength of the man, but onely the violence of his distemper, and the decay of nature. Just so the violence that some men have, doth not argue a strength of grace, but a decrease of grace rather. And so much for the second ground of that mistake.

A third ground upon which many mistake, is this. Because God gives them ¹the mercy they ask: Now they think God would not give them what they ask, if he did not hear and accept their prayers: But neither is this a good ground, and that for these reasons.

A third ground upon which many mistake, is this. Because God gives them ¹the mercy they aske: Now they thinke God would not give them what they ask, if he did not hear and accept their prayers: But neither is this a good ground, and that for these reasons.