True grace, distinguished from the experience of devils; in a sermon, preached before the…

'Tis evident, therefore, that a Sense of GOD's terrible Majesty, is no certain Evidence of saving Grace: For we see that wicked Men, and Devils are capable of it: Yea, many wicked Men in this World have actually had it. This is a Manifestation, which GOD made of Himself, in the ⟨p. 27⟩Sight of that wicked Congregation at Mount Sinai, which they saw, and were deeply affected with; so that all the People that were in the Camp trembled.

3. Devils and damned Men have some kind of Conviction and Sense of all the Attributes of GOD, both natural and moral, that is strong and very affecting.

The Devils know GOD's almighty Power: They saw a great Manifestation of it, when they saw GOD lay the Foundation of the Earth, &c. and were much affected with it. And they have seen innumerable other great Demonstrations of his Power; as in the universal Deluge, the Destruction of sodom, the Wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the Wilderness; the causing the Sun to stand still in Joshua's Time; and many others. And they had a very affecting Manifestation of GOD's mighty Power on themselves, in casting all their Hosts down from Heaven into Hell; and have continual affecting Experience of it, in GOD's reserving them in strong Chains of Darkness, and in the strong Pains they feel; and will hereafter, have far more affecting Experience of it, when they shall be punished from the Glory of GOD's Power, with that mighty Destruction, which they now tremble in Expectation of. So the Devils have a great Knowledge of the Wisdom of GOD: They have had unspeakably, more Opportunity and Occasion to observe it, in the Work of Creation, and also in the Works of Providence, then any mortal Man has ever had; and have been themselves the Subjects of innumerable affecting Manifestations of it, in GOD's disappointing and confounding them in their most subtle Devices, in so wonderful and amazing a Manner. So they see and find the infinite Purity and Holiness of the divine Nature, in the most affecting Manner, as this appears in his infinite Hatred of Sin, in what they feel of the dreadful Effects of that Hatred. They know already, by what they suffer, and will know hereafter to a greater Degree, and far more affecting Manner, that such is the Opposition of GOD's Nature to Sin, that it is like a consuming Fire, that burns with infinite Vehemence against it: They will feel the vehement Heat of that Fire, in a very dreadful Manner. They also will see the Holiness of GOD, as exercised in his Love to