1. Some Professors never did see any act o• grace in themselves; they never had any: and therefore could not see any: they have had affection, but no love; sorrow, but not godly sorrow encouragement, but no faith. There be many Professors that are utterly destitute of gracious carriages, they have the resemblance of them, bu• they never had any exercise of grace; they are spiritually dead, and never did perform any act o• spiritual life; thus it was with Saul, Doeg, Ahithophel, Judas and Demas, they were only the picture• of Saints, and imitated the actions of Spiritual Life, but did not perform them; an evil tree can't bring forth good fruit, men can't gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles: Mat. 7.16, 18 they can't see acts of grace: men cannot see that which is not.
2. Some Professors never did certainly know that they have performed any act of saving grace they have discovered the workings of grace some ⟨p. 12⟩times in themselves, but not so plainly, as to be able to speak roundly up to it, as Peter did, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee? Joh. 21.17. they understand that there is a great deal that does resemble grace, that is not grace; and so they doubt whether it be of the right kind: they know that there is a temporary faith, Luk. 8.13. some believe for a time, and then fall away; and there may be strong desires and delight, where there is no sincere love; here may be great pangs of affection, without any uprightness, and the acts of grace were not so clear, as some others do speak of, hence they are not fully satisfied; as when one sees a man at a great distance, he is at some loss whether it be a man.
3. Some have certainly seen the workings of grace, but through temptations since, they have lost the certainty of that knowledge; at the time they knew they did believe in Christ, and that they loved God, and could say as David, Psalm 116.1. I love the Lord; and as, Psal. 46.1. The Lord is my strength and refuge: but afterwards they have not so full and clear a remembrance of it: and God brings them into affliction, and unbelief prevails, and now they are suspicious that they were mistaken; besides, God don't hear their prayers, they have sought him many a time for such & such a mercy, and he has denied them at last:
1. Some Professors never did see any act o• grace in themselves; they never had any: and therefore could not see any: they have had affection, but no love; sorrow, but not godly sorrow encouragement, but no faith. There be many Professors that are utterly destitute of gracious carriages, they have the resemblance of them, bu• they never had any exercise of grace; they are spiritually dead, and never did perform any act o• spiritual life; thus it was with Saul, Doeg, Achitophel, Judas and Demas, they were only the picture• of Saints, and imitated the actions of Spiritual Life, but did not perform them; an evil tree can't bring forth good fruit, men can't gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles: Mat. 7.16, 18 they can't see acts of grace: men cannot see that which is not.
2. Some Professors never did certainly know that they have performed any act of saving grace they have discovered the workings of grace some ⟨p. 12⟩times in themselves, but not so plainly, as to be able to speak roundly up to it, as Peter did, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee? Joh. 21.17. they understand that there is a great deal that does resemble grace, that is not grace; and so they doubt whether it be of the right kind: they know that there is a temporary faith, Luk. 8.13. some believe for a time, and then fall away; and there may be strong desires and delight, where there is no sincere love; here may be great pangs of affection, without any uprightness, and the acts of grace were not so clear, as some others do speak of, hence they are not fully satisfied; as when one sees a man at a great distance, he is at some loss whether it be a man.
3. Some have certainly seen the workings of grace, but through temptations since, they have lost the certainty of that knowledge; at the time they knew they did believe in Christ, and that they loved God, and could say as David, Psalm 116.1. I love the Lord; and as, Psal. 46.1. The Lord is my strength and refuge: but afterwards they have not so full and clear a remembrance of it: and God brings them into affliction, and unbelief prevails, and now they are suspicious that they were mistaken; besides, God don't hear their prayers, they have sought him many a time for such & such a mercy, and he has denied them at last:
