The poor doubting Christian drawn to Christ. Wherein the main hindrances, which keep men…

Just so it is with the Heart even of a gracious Man sometimes, and one that is humbled in some Measure; and could be content to yield to the commanding Power of God's Word, and to the Witness of his own Conscience: And therefore saith, My Condition is better than I thought it was; yet there is an old proud, self-willed Heart still in me; an Heart that will not be quieted nor said unto; but still will be quarrelsome, and maintain the old Exception. For tho' all Reasons are well confuted, and Conscience bears witness it is so; and the Minister, as the Judge under Christ, cast out the Cause: Yet (observe it) the poor distressed Sinner will keep the old Road of objecting against himself: And tho' he hath been answered fully, and to every Point, not many Hours before; yet he keeps old Matters still fresh, and out of the Salt, till they yield a foul Scent to all that come within the hearing of them. And thus, even when a Man would think he should not dare to come in Court with such old cashiered Stuff; yet that proud self-willed Heart will be doing still; nor will yield or give over. Have we not just Cause then to labour our Hearts so far as to get them over-powered with the Authority of the Truth concerning whatsoever God reveals to them for their Good? Oh therefore, poor Soul, do not reject the Evidence which God makes known, and passeth ⟨p. 67⟩upon thee for thy sure Welfare eternally. Do not, because thou hast not that Comfort that thou wouldst, reject all; as if thou wouldst have none at all. So then the Fault here is not properly because thou canst not, but because thou wilt not receive the Promise: And this is that that so wracks and torments thy Spirit; this is that which breeds the Quarrel so hard to be compounded; and hence it is, that when Reason is satisfied, and Conscience convinced, yet the Soul is perplexed still. For put this Question to it, and say unto it, Are you persuaded that the Lord hath done you this Good, that he will show an everlasting Mercy to your Soul? And it will say, No; and that all the World shall not persuade it of that. Ministers are merciful (will such a distempered Soul say) and Christians are charitable, and loth to displease too much, or to discourage one in my Case, or do to me as I should do to them: But did they know me indeed, they would never think thus of me: Certainly I shall never find it so. What? Have I Grace?

Just so it is with the Heart even of a gracious Man sometimes, and one that is humbled in some Measure; and could be content to yield to the commanding Power of God's Word, and to the Witness of his own Conscience: And therefore saith, My Condition is better than I thought it was; yet there is an old proud, self-will'd Heart still in me; an Heart that will not be quieted nor said unto; but still will be quarrelsome, and maintain the old Exception. For tho' all Reasons are well confuted, and Conscience bears witness it is so; and the Minister, as the Judge under Christ, cast out the Cause: Yet (observe it) the poor distressed Sinner will keep the old Road of objecting against himself: And tho' he hath been answered fully, and to every Point, not many Hours before; yet he keeps old Matters still fresh, and out of the Salt, till they yield a foul Scent to all that come within the hearing of them. And thus, even when a Man would think he should not dare to come in Court with such old cashier'd Stuff; yet that proud self-will'd Heart will be doing still; nor will yield or give over. Have we not just Cause then to labour our Hearts so far as to get them over-powered with the Authority of the Truth concerning whatsoever God reveals to them for their Good? Oh therefore, poor Soul, do not reject the Evidence which God makes known, and passeth