How is true Assurance discerned from Presumption? A. True Assurance humbles the Soul, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And makes the Soul afraid of Sin, 2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God.

What is that which hinders the Sense of Peace in Believers? A. Their Sins against the Lord, and grieving of his Spirit, Isa 59:2 But your Iniquities have separated between you and your God ; and your Sins have hid his Face from you, that he will not hear.

Have not Hypocrites their Joys as well as real Christians? A. Yes, but the Joy of the Hypocrite is not grounded upon Scripture-warrant, and will vanish away, and will come to nothing at last, John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining Light, and ye were willing for a Season to rejoice in his Light.

After saying that true Grace may sometimes decay, the first inference is "To bless God for Gospel Ordinances, Psa 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the House of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall still bring forth Fruit in old Age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

Why do not all persevere? Because all Professors have not a good Root and Foundation, Matt 13:20-21

Labels: assurance, grace, joy, ordinary means, peace of conscience

What means doth the Spirit use in applying Christ? A. The external Means he makes use of, is the Ministry of the Gospel, 1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo, but Ministers by whom ye believed?

Is this sufficient of itself? A. No; the Blessing and Power of the Spirit must accompany it, or Christ cannot be applied, 1 Thes 1:5-6 For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost, and in much Assurance, as ye know ...

Labels: application of salvation, ordinary means, paul, spirit

O ye saints, how should ye love the word ? for by this you have been converted : O ye sinners, how should you ply the word ? for by this you must be converted : no other ordinary means but this. You that have felt its renewing power, make much of it while you live ; be forever thankful for it : tie it about your necks, write it upon your hands, lay it in your bosoms, Prov 6:21-22. When you go, let it lead you ; when you sleep, let it keep you ; when you wake, let it talk with you : Say with holy David, I will never forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened me, Psa 119:93. You that are unconverted, read the word with diligence, flock to it where powerfully preached, fill the porches, as the multitude of the impotent, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water, John 5:3. Pray for the coming of the Spirit in the word. Come off thy knees to the sermon ; and come to thy knees from the sermon. The seed doth not prosper, because not watered by prayers and tears, nor covered by meditation.

Labels: conversion, meditation, ordinary means, prayer, puritan, sermons, word