but now he sees gospel principles in such a manner that he is satisfied that God called him, and that he may venture upon Christ,
2. The soul has at this time an assured knowledge of the truth of the gospel: it is not an opinion or conjecture arising from some probable appearances but an assurance: therefore they say, we believe and are sure, Joh. 6.69. the soul sees that it is certainly so: God gives us outwardly great assurance of the truth of the gospel; and at this time the soul has inwardly an assurance of it: tis very true there is a difference in the measure of assurance, that one has, and another has: all assurance is not in the like degree: we read ⟨p. 220⟩sometime in Scripture of an Assurance, 1 Thess. 1.5. of a full Assurance, Heb. 9.22. of all riches of the full assurance of understanding, Col. 2.2. this assurance in the first closing with Christ, what ever degree it is in, does not remove the habit and principle of doubting, though it does mortify it in part; that it never recovers its strength again; yet there will be frequent returnings of this spirit of doubting; it will attend a Saint less or more as long as he lives; and many times in the first closing with Christ the assurance is not in such a degree, but that there will be actual doubting, the workings of a spirit of fear are not wholly removed: some doubtings and misgivings of heart are consistent with assurance: a man may see that it must needs be so, that it can't be otherwise; and yet immediately have recoilings of spirit: but the assurance of the soul so far prevails over all his doubtings, that he can venture himself in the arms of Jesus Christ.
3. The soul is assured at this time by the Spirit of God, that the Gospel is true: and the messages of salvation certain. The comforter shall convince of righteousness, Joh. 16.10. the Spirit works a principle of faith, and draws it into act: sanctifies the reason and understanding: and discovers the glorious excellency of God, whereby the heart is assured; indeed this assurance cannot arise from any other cause: natural reason will not assure men of this: for the reason of man is miserably corrupted, and cannot see such spiritual things, 1 Cor. 2.14.
but now he sees gospel principles in such a manner that he is satisfied that God called him, and that he may venture upon Christ,
2. The soul has at this time an assured knowledg of the truth of the gospel: it is not an opinion or conjecture arising from some probable appearances but an assurance: therefore they say, we believe and are sure, Joh. 6.69. the soul sees that it is certainly so: God gives us outwardly great assurance of the truth of the gospel; and at this time the soul has inwardly an assurance of it: tis very true there is a difference in the measure of assurance, that one has, and another has: all assurance is not in the like degree: we read ⟨p. 220⟩sometime in Scripture of an Assurance, 1 Thess. 1.5. of a full Assurance, Heb. 9.22. of all riches of the full assurance of understanding, Col. 2.2. this assurance in the first closing with Christ, what ever degree it is in, does not remove the habit and principle of doubting, though it does mortifie it in part; that it never recovers its strength again; yet there will be frequent returnings of this spirit of doubting; it will attend a Saint less or more as long as he lives; and many times in the first closing with Christ the assurance is not in such a degree, but that there will be actual doubting, the workings of a spirit of fear are not wholly removed: some doubtings and misgivings of heart are consistent with assurance: a man may see that it must needs be so, that it can't be otherwise; and yet immediately have recoylings of spirit: but the assurance of the soul so far prevails over all his doubtings, that he can venture himself in the arms of Jesus Christ.
3. The soul is assured at this time by the Spirit of God, that the Gospel is true: and the messages of salvation certain. The comforter shall convince of righteousness, Joh. 16.10. the Spirit works a principle of faith, and draws it into act: sanctifies the reason and understanding: and discovers the glorious excellency of God, whereby the heart is assured; indeed this assurance cannot arise from any other cause: natural reason will not assure men of this: for the reason of man is miserably corrupted, and cannot see such spiritual things, 1 Cor. 2.14.
