Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from several texts of Scripture, opened and applied. 1.…Sun-beams of gospel-light shining clearly from severall texts of Scripture, opened and applyed. 1.…

First, this is to try us: hereby every man may ¹know whether he be in the state of grace or no. If he lies in the least known sin that is, he is but counterfeit; if though he be admonished, and told that God will not have him to do such a thing, yet he doth it, it is a sign he is not in a good estate: as if a man knew and were persuaded he ought not to abound in idle speeches, and yet will, it is a sign he is not in the state of grace. So when he is commanded to pray, and yet doth it not, or doth it only for show, it's a sign he is in a bad estate: or if he knew it a sin to be idle, and is persuaded of it, and yet will, it's a sign his estate is not good: so for immoderate gaming, if one be told he should not, yet will use it, certainly he is bad: so for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, when a man shall spend all his time, and find all thoughts bent that way for any one of them, certain it is his heart is not gracious; for then these thoughts would not abound in him, but thoughts of growing in grace; but if his morning thoughts be for satisfying of the flesh and the lusts thereof, or his secret plots, he may justly fear it's a reigning sin: for when all his projects and thoughts are upon one thing, as to be in fine apparel, it's certain sin reigneth in him, and so he is in the state of damnation; as a Scholar that wholly aims at ⟨p. 9⟩vain glory, and how to get honour and credit, that sin reigneth in him.

First, this is to try us: hereby every man may ¹know whether he be in the state of grace or no. If he lies in the least knowne sinne that is, hee is but counterfeit; if though he be admonished, and told that God will not have him to doe such a thing, yet he doth it, it is a signe he is not in a good estate: as if a man knew and were perswaded he ought not to abound in idle speeches, and yet will, it is a signe he is not in the state of grace. So when he is commanded to pray, and yet doth it not, or doth it only for shew, it's a signe he is in a bad estate: or if hee knew it a sinne to be idle, and is perswaded of it, and yet will, it's a signe his estate is not good: so for immoderate gaming, if one be told hee should not, yet will use it, certainly he is bad: so for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, when a man shall spend all his time, and finde all thoughts bent that way for any one of them, certaine it is his heart is not gracious; for then these thoughts would not abound in him, but thoughts of growing in grace; but if his morning thoughts be for satisfying of the flesh and the lusts thereof, or his secret plots, he may justly feare it's a reigning sinne: for when all his projects and thoughts are upon one thing, as to be in fine apparell, it's certaine sinne reigneth in him, and so he is in the state of damnation; as a Scholer that wholly aymes at