while others have had it warmly suggested to their Minds, not by any Passage of Scripture, but as it were by a Whisper or Voice from Heaven, That God loves them, that Christ is theirs &c. which groundless Imaginations, and Suggestions of Satan have had the same Effect upon them that the Delusions before mentioned had on the others.
And as is the Conversion of this Sort of Persons, so are their after Experiences; the whole being built upon Imagination, strong Impressions and sudden Suggestions made to their Minds: whence they are usually extremely confident (as if immediately informed from God) not only of the Goodness of their own State, but of their infallible Knowledge and absolute Certainty of the Truth of every Thing they pretend to, under the Notion of Religion: and thus all Reasoning with some of them is utterly excluded.
But 'tis remarkable of these that they are extremely deficient in Regard of true Poverty of Spirit, Sense of exceeding Vileness in themselves, such as frequently makes truly gracious Souls to groan being burdened; as also in Regard of Meekness, Love and Gentleness toward Mankind, Tenderness of Conscience in their ordinary Affairs and Dealings in the World; and 'tis rare to see them deeply concerned about the Principles and Ends of their Actions, and under Fears lest they should not eye the Glory of God chiefly, but live to themselves; or this at least is the Case in their ordinary Conduct whether civil or religious. But if any one of their peculiar Notions which their Zeal has espoused be attacked, they are then so conscientious they must burn if called to it, for the Defence of it. Yet at the same Time when they are so extremely deficient in Regard of these precious ⟨p. v⟩Divine Tempers which have been mentioned, they are usually full of Zeal, Concern and Fervency in the Things of Religion, and often Discourse of them with much Warmth and Engagement. And to those who don't know or don't consider wherein the Essence of true Religion consists, viz in being conformed to the Image of Christ, not in Point of Zeal and Fervency only, but in all Divine Tempers and Practices; I say to those who don't duly observe and distinguish, they often appear like the best of Men.
while others have had it warmly suggested to their Minds, not by any Passage of Scripture, but as it were by a Whisper or Voice from Heaven, That God loves them, that Christ is theirs &c. which groundless Imaginations, and Suggestions of Satan have had the same Effect upon them that the Delusions before mentioned had on the others.
And as is the Conversion of this Sort of Persons, so are their after Experiences; the whole being built upon Imagination, strong Impressions and sudden Suggestions made to their Minds: whence they are usually extreamly confident (as if immediately inform'd from God) not only of the Goodness of their own State, but of their infallible Knowledge and absolute Certainty of the Truth of every Thing they pretend to, under the Notion of Religion: and thus all Reasoning with some of them is utterly excluded.
But 'tis remarkable of these that they are extremely deficient in Regard of true Poverty of Spirit, Sense of exceeding Vileness in themselves, such as frequently makes truly gracious Souls to groan being burden'd; as also in Regard of Meekness, Love and Gentleness toward Mankind, Tenderness of Conscience in their ordinary Affairs and Dealings in the World; and 'tis rare to see them deeply concern'd about the Principles and Ends of their Actions, and under Fears lest they should not eye the Glory of God chiefly, but live to themselves; or this at least is the Case in their ordinary Conduct whether civil or religious. But if any one of their peculiar Notions which their Zeal has espoused be attack'd, they are then so consciencious they must burn if call'd to it, for the Defence of it. Yet at the same Time when they are so extremely deficient in Regard of these precious ⟨p. v⟩Divine Tempers which have been mentioned, they are usually full of Zeal, Concern and Fervency in the Things of Religion, and often Discourse of them with much Warmth and Engagement. And to those who don't know or don't consider wherein the Essence of true Religion consists, viz in being conformed to the Image of Christ, not in Point of Zeal and Fervency only, but in all Divine Tempers and Practices; I say to those who don't duely observe and distinguish, they often appear like the best of Men.
