Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal…

Many continue a long time in a Course of gracious Exercises and Experiences, and don't think themselves to be converted, but conclude themselves to be otherwise; and none knows how long they would continue so, were they not helped by particular Instruction. There are undoubted Instances of some that have •ived in this way for many Years together; and a continuing in these Circumstances of being con•erted and not believing it, has had various consequences, with various Persons, and with the same Persons, at various Times; some continue in great Encouragement and Hope, that they shall obtain Mercy, in a steadfast Resolution to persevere in seeking it, and in an humble waiting for it at God's foot; but very often when the lively Sense of the Sufficiency of Christ, and the Riches of divine Grace begins to vanish, upon a withdraw of the Influences of the Spirit of God, they return to greater Distress than ever; for they have now a far greater Sense of the Misery of a natural Condition than before, being in a new manner sensible of the reality of eternal Things, and the greatness of God, and his Excellency, and how dreadful it is to be separated from him, and to be subject to his Wrath; so that they are sometimes swallowed up with Darkness and Amazement. Satan has a vast Advantage in such Cases to ply them with various Temptations, which he is not wont to neglect. In such a case Persons do very much need a Guide to lead them to an Understanding of what we are taught in the Word of God of the Nature of Grace, and to help them to apply it to themselves

Many continue a long time in a Course of gracious Exercises and Experiences, and don't think themselves to be converted, but conclude themselves to be otherwise; and none knows how long they would continue so, were they not helped by particular Instruction. There are undoubted I•st•nces of some that have •ived in this way for many Years together; and a continuing in these Circumstances of being con•erted and not be•ieving it, has had various consequences, with various Persons, and with the same Persons, at various Times; some continue in great Encouragement and Hope, that they shall obtain Mercy, in a stedfast Resolution to persevere in seeking it, and in an humble waiting for it at God's foot; but very often when the lively Sense of the Sufficiency of Christ, and the Riches of divine Grace begins to vanish, upon a withdraw of the Influences of the Spirit of God, they return to greater Distress than ever; for they have now a far greater Sense of the Misery of a natural Condition than before, being in a new manner sensible of the reality of eternal Things, and the greatness of God, and his Excellency, and how dreadful it is to be separated from him, and to be subject to his Wrath; so that they are sometimes swallowed up with Darkness and Amazement. Satan has a vast Advantage in such Cases to ply them with various Temptations, which he is not wont to neglect. In such a case Persons do very much need a Guide to lead them to an Understanding of what we are taught in the Word of God of the Nature of Grace, and to help them to apply it to themselves