The saints everlasting rest

This cherishing sin doth hinder assurance these four ways.

1. It doth abate the degree of our graces, and so makes them undiscernible. 2. It obscureth that which it destroyeth not; for it beareth such sway, that grace is not seen to stir, nor scare heard speak for the noise of this corruption. 3. It putteth out, or darkeneth the eye of the soul, and it benumbeth and stupefieth it. 4. But especially it provoketh GOD to withdraw himself, his comforts and the assistance of the Spirit, without which we may search long enough before we have assurance. GOD hath made a separation betwixt sin and peace. As long as thou dost cherish thy pride, thy love of the world, the desires of the flesh, or any unchristian practice, thou expectest assurance and comfort in vain. GOD will not encourage thee by his precious gifts in a course of sinning. This worm will be gnawing upon thy conscience: It will be a devouring canker to thy consolations. Thou mayst steal a spark of false comfort from thy worldly prosperity or delight: or thou mayst have it from some false opinions, or from the delusions of Satan; but from GOD thou wilt have no comfort. However an Antinomian may tell thee, that thy comforts have no dependence ⟨p. 178⟩upon thy obedience, nor thy discomforts upon thy disobedience: and therefore may speak peace to thee in the course of thy sinning; yet thou shalt find by experience that GOD will not. If any man set up his idols in his heart, and put the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a minister, or to GOD, to enquire for assurance and comfort, GOD will answer that man by himself, and instead of comforting him, he will set his face against him, he will answer him according to the multitude of his idols. 5. Another common cause of want of assurance and comfort, is, when men grow lazy in the spiritual part of duty. As Dr. Sibbs saith truly, "it is the lazy christian commonly that lacketh assurance." The way of painful duty, is the way of fullest comfort. Christ carrieth all our comforts in his hand: if we are out of that way where Christ is to be met, we are out of the way where comfort is to be had.