Sermon 1

SERMON I.

How necessary and advantageous the Assurance of our being in the state of Grace is.

How necessary and advantagious the Assurance of our being in the state of Grace is.

2 COR. 13. 5. Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves, &c.

The Church of Corinth, though it was a Garden immediately planted by the Apostles, yet quickly was filled with noisome weeds, whereupon the Apostle threatens it with severe Discipline, if they repent not; Ecclesiastical Discipline being in the Church, as the Sword is in the Commonwealth. The Corinthians distaste this severity, and question his Apostolical power and authority: Love to mens lusts, and a desire of security in them, rather then any solid Arguments, make men question the Jus Divinum of Christs institutions. The Apostle proveth his Calling by that spiritual success and powerful efficacy which his Word had among them, and therefore instead of proving and examining him, he commands them to try their own selves. This very Argument may the faithful Ministers of God in England use against many who now condemn their Calling.

THe Church of Corinth, though it was a Garden immediatly planted by the Apostles, yet quickly was filled with noisome weeds, whereupon the Apostle threatens it with severe Discipline, if they repent not; Ecclesiastical Discipline being in the Church, as the Sword is in the Commonwealth. The Corinthians distaste this severity, and question his Apostolical power and authority: Love to mens lusts, and a desire of security in them, rather then any solid Arguments, make men question the Jus Divinum of Christs institutions. The Apostle proveth his Calling by that spiritual success and powerfull efficacy which his Word had among them, and therefore instead of proving and examining him, he commands them to try their own selves. This very Argument may the faithfull Ministers of God in England use against many who now condemn their Calling.