Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

We deny not but he might fear, for we say none can be assured of Salvation, but he that fears to offend. As ¹a good child fears to offend his father, Now his fear hinders not his fathers love, fear of Gods favour indeed may hinder assurance, but not fear to offend him; Fear of sinning against God keeps him that his assurance is the stronger, the child of God that falls into sin when he casts off his fear and trembling, least he should offend against God, dashes and weakens the strength of his assurance, and the more a man fears to sin the more it keeps him in the favour of God, 2 Sam. 12. 12. David had assurance from God by the very prophet, &c. Ps. 32: when he confessed his sins he prophesied that God forgave them; besides Psalm 73. 25. he testifies to all the world that he had none in heaven but his reconciled God alone, all which shows how strong assurance David had notwithstanding all his fear.

We deny not but he might fear, for we say none can be assured of Salvation, but he that fears to offend. As ¹a good child fears to offend his father, Now his fear hinders not his fathers love, fear of Gods favor indeed may hinder assurance, but not fear to offend him; Fear of sinning against God keeps him that his assurance is the stronger, the child of God that falls into sin when he casts off his fear and trembling, least he should offend against God, dashes and weakens the strength of his assurance, and the more a man fears to sin the more it keeps him in the favour of God, 2 Sam. 12. 12. David had assurance from God by the very prophet, &c. Ps. 32: when he confessed his sinnes he prophesied that God forgave them; besides Psalm 73. 25. he testifies to all the world that he had none in heaven but his reconciled God alone, all which shewes how strong assurance David had notwithstanding all his fear.