(4.) There is an actual certainty, or an assured sense, of our qualifi- cation, and so of our interest, which admits of a latitude ; it may be not only full or not full, firm or not firm, but interrupted or con- tinued. The full hope removeth all doubts and fears, and that which is not full hath some doubts accompanying it ; but the certainty pre- vaileth, and is more than the doubtings. We should sail to heaven with full sails, and get as much sense of the love of God and hope of eternal life as possibly we can — an abundant entrance. We should clear up our right and title, and be able to say, ' We know,' and, ' I am persuaded,' Rom. viii. 38. We should come and take possession of the blessings of the covenant, and say, ' All this is mine by the promise of the faithful God. We use to say, I know where I am, but I know not where I shall be. A believer who hath assured his estate before God knoweth where he shall be, as truly as he knoweth where he is. He knoweth by fliith that he shall live with God for ever, and what he will do for liim to all eternity in the performance of his holy covenant.
[3.] What reasons there are why we should attend upon this work.
(1.) Because it is for our greater comfort, not only to be safe, but to know that we are safe. Some have salvation belonging to them, but they know it not; as the child liveth before he knoweth that he liveth; as Jacob said of Bethel, Gen. sxviii. 16, ' God was in this place, and I knew it not.' So it may be said of many christians — Christ is in them, and they know it not, are not aware of it. Oh ! how happy they, if they knew their own happiness ! What delight would the hope of glory raise in their hearts ! How full of tears and despairs was Hagar when yet there was a well nigh her. Gen. xxi. 16. How pen- sive were the two disciples going to Emmaus, when yet Christ walked with them, but they knew him not, Luke xxiv. 15-17. How bitterly did Mary weep at the sepulchre, when yet Jesus stood by her, John XX. 14, 15. So many poor disconsolate christians apprehend that Christ is at a distance, when as yet they will not or cannot see him. Therefore, though our condition should be safe, it is not so comfortable till we get assurance.
(2.) This certain confidence of our actual right and future posses- sion cannot be had without diligence. Such a jewel will never drop into the mouth of the lazy, negligent soul, 2 Peter i. 10; iii. 14; Heb. vi. 11. If we would have not a groundless, but a rational hope; not a rash and probable, but a firm and certain hope ; not a certain only, but a full hope, and this to continue without interruption, we
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must buckle to it, serve God in good earnest. It will never be gotten and kept with sloth ; it may be gotten and kept with diligence. As you neglect your duty, so far the sense and comfortable assui'ance of your qualification may abate. God's best children are sometimes remiss, whereupon follow clouds and desertions, to their great discom- fort. God in wisdom withdraweth comfort, to quicken them to their duty. Well then, it will not come with a cold wish, or a slight prayer, or a hasty sigh, or a faint and lazy pursuit. Grace needeth to be much exercised that shall bring peace. Exercised in duties, John xiv. 21, 23 ; exercised in afflictions. Those lazy pretenders that never made a business of it, and yet hope to go to heaven as well as the strictest, they do but deceive themselves with a hope that will at length leave them ashamed. Foolish presumption costs a man nothing; like a mushroom that groweth up in a night, or as Jonah's gourd ; behold thou didst not labour for it. The less men exercise themselves unto godliness, the more confident ; for exercise would discover their unsoundness. A peace that groweth upon us we know not how, and is better kept by negligence than diligence, is not right.
(.3.) We should attend upon this work with all diligence, because, though we get it not, we shall not labour in vain ; the very endeavour will keep us aweful and serious, and it may be we shall get heaven whilst we are clearing up our title to it. The same things serve to enter into heaven that serve to assure us of our interest in it. Fulfil God's conditions which he hath annexed to the new covenant, and you may be sure, and the same is necessary to have, as well as to be sure ; all the difference is, some make a hard shift to go to heaven, others enter abundantly, 2 Peter i. 11. They that make it their business to know they have eternal life have tliis above others, that they go more seriously to work, and do more attend upon it.
Secondly, The force and virtue of this sure confidence.