Stimulator. Or, The case of a soul walking in darkness awfully & suitably considered.…

The Third Assertion.

Were People got out of that Unhappy Condition, to Walk in Darkness and know not whither they are going, and had Good Terms with Heaven fairly Settled & Certain with them, we should soon see PIETY flourishing in its Verdure and Vigour among us; a Fruitful Christian, would not be so much as it is a Rare Sight among us. It is a thing too notorious to be denied, That a Fruitful Christian is not so often to be met with as were to be wished for. They that have been most conspicuous for bringing forth much Fruit, are most of them gone. Of them that remain, it may be said, as in Isa XVII. 6. Some Gleaning Grapes are left; or, they are as the Shaking of an Olive-tree, two or three Berries, in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful Branches thereof. But whence does this come to pass? Truly, them that are Barren & Unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, you shall still find in the Unhappy Condition, of Uncertainty for Eternity And indeed, how should they be otherwise? But it is this Uncertainty that very much keeps them so Barren and Unfruitful. Nothing would so animate all PIETY in you, nor would any thing so render you Full of Goodness, as the Knowledge of this: My Lord JESUS CHRIST has taken me into His Gracious Hands, & nothing shall ever pluck me out of them. ⟨p. 37⟩You will find, that an Assurance of Good Terms with Heaven, is no Enemy to Holiness: No, tis the Strongest Incentive to it in the World. PIETY can't find such another Quickener! Had you the Assurance of it, that you have the Promises of GOD, all belonging to you; The Heritage of those that fear His Name; O Dearly Beloved, you could not but cleanse your selves from all Filthiness of the Flesh and of the Spirit, and carry on Holiness to perfection in the Fear of GOD. Could you Read your Names written in Heaven, you could not but have your conversation in Heaven. Could you call your selves the Children of GOD, you could not but be Followers of GOD, as Obedient Children. Did you know that your Many Sins are Forgiven you, how much would you Love Him that his Forgiven you so Much, and how loth would you be to Sin against Him any more? Had you an Undoubted Assurance of it, That you shall one day Walk in White Robes among the Priests of GOD, and be the companions of His Angels, in His Holy places, what Noble Sacrificers would this Assurance tender you?