The trial of assurance set forth in a sermon preached at Boston upon a…The tryal of assurance set forth in a sermon preached at Boston upon a…

USE I.

See the reason why many Professors are unsatisfied about their sincerity; though they have a pretty good conversation, are conscientious, affectionate, zealous, yet they are full of fears, they are often perplexed, and don't know what to ⟨p. 11⟩make of themselves; it seems to them that their walk is pretty much according to rule, but they do not know that ever they did perform any act of saving grace; they can't answer to such questions, Lovest thou me? Joh. 21.17. Or dost th•• believe on the Son of God? Joh. 9.35. this does create a deal of perplexity to them; and they are afraid what will become of themselves, after al• their profession. And there are three sorts o• them.

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: