A59036:14
The doubting believer, or, A treatiseThe doubting beleever, or, A treatise
The doubting believer, or, A treatise containing 1. the nature, 2. the kinds, 3. the springs, 4. the remedies of doubtings, incident to weak believers by Obadiah Sedgwick ...The doubting beleever, or, A treatise containing 1. the nature, 2. the kinds, 3. the springs, 4. the remedies of doubtings, incident to weak beleevers by Obadiah Sedgwick ...
London: printed by M.F. for Thomas Nicols, 1641
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the Christian Reader.
This Treatise which now is presented to a public construction, was (many years past) the subject of my private Meditations and Sermons. I did not affect any farther publication of it, then in the Pulpit; but the importunity of others hath ⟨image 7⟩compelled it thus to appear in print: Not that the manner of handling the Subject (here insisted on) is excellent or exquisite, but that the matter handled may be supposed to be of common use and benefit; as a little star hath influence, though not that glory which is proper to the Sun.
THis Treatise which now is presented to a publike cō struction, was (many years past) the subject of my private Meditations and Sermons. I did not affect any farther publication of it, then in the Pulpit; but the importunity of others hath ⟨image 7⟩compelled it thus to appeare in print: Not that the manner of handling the Subject (here insisted on) is excellent or exquisite, but that the matter handled may be supposed to be of common use and benefit; as a little star hath influence, though not that glory which is proper to the Sun.
The Case which is here put, and discussed, is a Case of common experience: There is no Believer, but some time or other will confess it is his. The Sun being seated in an heavenly Orb, shineth ⟨image 7⟩with a very pure and constant light, but the candle (though set and burning in a golden candlestick, yet) burns with a snuff, and much variableness. When Christians are translated, and transplanted from earth to heaven, then their graces shall become perfections: There are no defects in heaven, there are no mixtures in heaven, but whatsoever is pure there, it is altogether pure: Yet on earth it is otherwise, neither the habits of Grace, nor the acts of Grace are alone […]