A59036:211
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.
And here our crafty enemy ceaseth not, but taking the advantage of a tender conscience, he exaggerates upon us the large distance of this condition in which we now are, from that which God commands and expects, and hath found in some of his righteous servants; in the citation of whose piety he is not very sparing, that by the consideration ⟨p. 97⟩of their fullness and our own emptiness, we might the more easily suspect our condition, and credit his relations.
And here our crafty enemy ceaseth not, but taking the advantage of a tender conscience, he exaggerates upon us the large distance of this condition in which we now are, from that which God commands and expects, and hath found in some of his righteous servants; in the citation of whose piety he is not very sparing, that by the consideration ⟨p. 97⟩of their fulnesse and our owne emptinesse, wee might the more easily suspect our condition, and credit his relations.
Which if we once doe, Bone Deus! into what labyrinths do we wind our selves? into what fears? into what doubts? We shall never set out to believe any Promise, but he checks us back with the hollowness of our condition; we shall never set upon any ordinance or duty, but he foils us with suspicions (at least) that all is in vain, God will not bless and prosper his Ordinances unto such; And in those Ordinances, if any matter of bitterness or uncomfortableness be delivered, he brings home that to us, and tells the soul, This is thy portion.
Which if we once doe, Bone Deus! into what labyrinths doe we wind our selves? into what fears? into what doubts? We shall never set out to beleeve any Promise, but hee checks us back with the hollownesse of our condition; we shall never set upon any ordinance or duty, but he foyles us with suspicions (at least) that all is in vaine, God will not blesse and prosper his Ordinances unto such; And in those Ordinances, if any matter of bitternesse or uncomfortablenesse be delivered, he brings home that to us, and tels the soule, This is thy portion.