Sixteen questions of serious and necessary consequence, propounded unto Mr. John Cotton of Boston…Sixteene questions of seriovs and necessary consequence, propounded unto Mr. John Cotton of Boston…

And though in this way he may find Comfort (as the Stony ground did; and Thorny Soil much more) and so from this great Change he may build up to himself the faith or Assurance of his Justification, yet in truth, in so doing he buildeth upon such a Sanctification which is indeed a sandy Foundation.

And though in this way he may find Comfort (as the Stony ground did; and Thorny Soyle much more) and so from this great Change he may build up to himselfe the faith or Assurance of his Iustification, yet in truth, in so doing he buildeth upon such a Sanctification which is indeed a sandy Foundation.

2. To give my Sanctification for an evident ground or Cause of faith, whereby a man believeth himself to be justified, may be a building of Justification upon Sanctification in another Case: to wit when we shall give a man no other ground or Evidence of his Justification, but only from the Evidence of his Sanctification: For the Publican did not (as the Pharisee thought himself did) see any evident fruits of his Sanctification, but was deeply affected with the sense of his Sins, so that he smote his Breast with the Anguish of sin, and durst not lift up his eyes to Heaven through Confusion of face for Sin, but only cried out to God to be merciful unto him in this sinful estate: and yet by our Saviours own judgement) this man went home justified rather then the other (Luk. 18.) though he saw no Evidence of his Sanctification, but rather Evidence of his sinful Corruption. If any of our Brethren doubt hereof, I would pray them to call to mind what some of them that lived in Essex have heard our Brother Hooker and Mr. Rogers also teach soundly, and argue out of the Word; that there be saving graces which are not sanctifying, but are wrought before Sanctification, which yet may bear Witness to a safe estate (and I may add to Fellowship with Christ, for there is no safety but in him) before the Soul can see any Evidence of his Sanctification.

2. To give my Sanctification for an evident ground or Cause of faith, whereby a man beleeveth himselfe to be justified, may be a building of Justification upon Sanctification in another Case: to wit when we shall give a man no other ground or Evidence of his Justification, but onely from the Evidence of his Sanctification: For the Publican did not (as the Pharisee thought himselfe did) see any evident fruits of his Sanctification, but was deeply affected with the sense of his Sinnes, so that he smote his Breast with the Anguish of sinne, and durst not lift up his eyes to Heaven through Confusion of face for Sinne, but only cryed out to God to be mercifull unto him in this sinfull estate: and yet by our Saviours own judgement) this man went home justified rather then the other (