Thirdly, Particular servants of God in Scripture, that have been partakers of this mercy, they have had this firm assurance of their effectual calling; I shall instance in three. First in Paul, and the Scripture tells us of him, that he had a clear evidence of his effectual calling, Gal. 2.20. I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, who loved me, and gave himself for me. There he had a particular assurance that Christ loved him, and gave himself for him. So 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded also, that what I have committed to him, he will keep till the last day. So 2 Tim. 4.8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is a Crown laid up for me. Nay not only Paul, but Job also, Job 19.25. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I shall stand up before him at the last day: he knew Jesus Christ was his Redeemer. And so David also saith, Thou art my God, and I will praise thee. Psal. 118.28. and Psal. 23.6. Surely the goodness and mercy of God shall follow me all the days of my life. So that put ⟨p. 108⟩these together: God commands it, it is the spirits office to work assurance in the heart, and particular servants of God have had this assurance, therefore why may it not be obtained? But if you say, these were not ordinary servants of God, these were servants of a higher rank and form; but may ordinary weak Christians know this also? Yes. Therefore,
Thirdly, Particular servants of God in Scripture, that have been partakers of this mercy, they have had this firm assurance of their effectual calling; I shall instance in three. First in Paul, and the Scripture tells us of him, that he had a clear evidence of his effectual calling, Gal. 2.20. I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, who loved me, and gave himself for me. There he had a particular assurance that Christ loved him, and gave himself for him. So 2 Tim. 1.12. I know whom I have believed, and I am perswaded also, that what I have committed to him, he will keep till the last day. So 2 Tim. 4.8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is a Crown laid up for me. Nay not onely Paul, but Job also, Job 19.25. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I shall stand up before him at the last day: he knew Jesus Christ was his Redeemer. And so David also saith, Thou art my God, and I will praise thee. Psal. 118.28. and Psal. 23.6. Surely the goodnesse and merey of God shall follow me all the dayes of my life. So that put ⟨p. 108⟩these together: God commands it, it is the spirits office to work assurance in the heart, and particular servants of God have had this assurance, therefore why may it not be obtained? But if you say, these were not ordinary servants of God, these were servants of a higher rank and form; but may ordinary weak Christians know this also? Yes. Therefore,
