The falseness of the hopes of many professors, showed in a sermon preached in…The falseness of the hopes of many professors, shewed in a sermon preached in…

2. To such as have not had a distinct work of Conversion. Some men have had a very accurate and distinct work of Conversion, they have been plainly led along from step to step, and have been clearly brought home to CHRIST: but there be some others with whom the case is otherwise, they pretend to be Saints, but they give a miserable account of their Conversion: Some of them may be Converted, but many of them are not: ordinarily if men be Converted they know more about it: for Conscience is a great observer of mens behaviour, and such men are in great hazard to build upon the Sand: It is possible for them to attain to a certainty: Joh. 9.25. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. But many such Persons do deceive themselves, their arguments for a Converted condition are far short of a demonstration.

3. To such Professors as are carried on in a still w•y. Some Professors are mightily hurried with Temptation: They have mighty fears and terrors, and Satan is casting in his fiery darts; these are under more advantage to look to themselves, and many times such have great Consolations: But there be some others, that go on in a still quiet way, they have no great Sorrow, nor any great Joys, go on in a way of Profession one year after another, and they have little Temptation and little Comfort, they have scarce any dark hours, they have little to say against themselves, and very little to say for themselves; it will be a wonder if many of these men do not miscarry, if they be Godly it is much they have no more Temptation; if they be Godly it is much they have no more comfort; it is well if their quietness do not arise from stupidity: they had need diligently to Examine themselves. When the strong man armed keeps the house, many times all is quiet, Luk. 11.21.