(3.) Also, they are held perhaps without this persuasion and assurance of the pardon of their sin, because perhaps theij are taken itp uith other cares. They do not value this so much as they should do ; whereas this is another manner of gift than the most take it for. God vouchsafes not this sweet heaven upon earth, the sense of his love in Christ to any, but it is sought for long, and valued highly, that afterwards we may be thank- ful for it.
(4.) Again, Perhaps they are nef/Uge)it i)i. holy communion irith those that are better than tliemaelves ; casting themselves into dead and dark company that want life, who bring them into the same temper with themselves. Many other causes may be reckoned why these acts are severed, that men, casting themselves in the spirit of obedience upon Christ, have not that assurance of the pardon and forgiveness of their sins. Hence we may give an answer to another question.
Quest. Why do some Christians feel more comfort than others do, who have the same means of grace ?
Ans. 1. I answer. Because God stirs up in some an higher esteem of it than others ; they have more spiritual poverty.
2. Again, There is difference in the ages of Christians ; some have had longer experience in the ways of God than others.
3. Again, Men ditler in their temper. Some are of a more cheerful temper. Therefore there is a clearer manifestation which helps the work a little, the disposition of the outward man.
4. Again, Men differ in their worldly temper. Men, for want of Christian prudence, cast themselves too much upon the employments of the world, that they suffer the strength of their soul to be carried so one way, that they have no time to gather assurance of salvation. Howsoever, for the main they are conscionable,* yet many such are so worn out with the world, as they difier in heavenly-mindedness and want of care of this, so they differ in assurance and want of God's love.
5. Again, As God hath a purpose to employ men, as he hath great and many things for some men to do, so he suffers them to have a greater measure of assurance and pardon of sin, because he intends they shall go through a great deal of business. Those who he intends shall not go through such employments, he vouchsafes not unto them them that portion of assurance ; for these are distinct gifts of the Spirit, to give the spirit of
* That is, ' conscientious.' — G.
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faith, to cast ourselves upon Christ, and to give the spirit of assurance. Howsoever the Spirit cloth both, as 2 Cor. ii. l-l, seq., it teacheth us those good things that we have of God ; yet sometimes the Spirit doth not so teach us the good things of God, as it enables to do the works of the Spirit, because God hath divers employments for Christians.
Quest. Another question which some may move is. Why oftentimes it comes to pass that Christians of greater parts want assurance, and some- times die without it. when many times a weaker Christian of meaner parts has it ? Men of ordinaiy rank do many times die with more assurance than their great teachers. What is the reason it falls out that poor Chris- tians of mean knowledge and gifts have a heaven upon earth, and enjoy a great deal of comfort when they end their days, men of greater parts dying more concealed ?
Ans. I answer. Many reasons may be given. Christians are prone too much to value gifts ; and those that have are much prone to be proud of them, and to think that grace and gifts go together, when these are often severed. Men of excellent gifts have many times no grace at all ; and are given them for the good of others, not for themselves, being proud and barren all their days, not having any feeling of that they can largely talk of with glory to others ; because they value these things, and neglect grace, humility, faith, and broken spirits, which things God values more than all gifts. Therefore you have men far above other[s] in gifts and glory of the world, which want this assurance.
- Quest. But put the case they be good Christians, yet often they grow proud, and pufi'ed up with great gifts, for the apostle says, ' Knowledge puffs up,' 1 Cor. viii. 1.
Ans. Again, When there is a great deal of good parts in knowledge, there is oftentimes great inquisition made after things which should not be looked after, and many impertinences, wanting knowledge and experience in that which they should more look after.
Then again, men of greater gifts may out of some error look for comfort too much in sanctification, and in the covenant of works, more than in faith. A poor Christian, perhaps out of right judgment, when he stands in need of comfort, may seek it in faith, in justification, casting himself upon Christ, when another man, thinking to find his comfort more in graces and gifts than in casting himself upon Christ in justification, he may justly be deprived of that comfort ; whereas we honour God most, whatsoever our graces are, in casting ourselves upon Christ, and ending our days in mercy, making our appeal to mercy ; whereas the graces of sanctification and excellent parts are excellent for the good of others, but if we place too much affiance in them, it is just with God we should oftentimes go mourn- ing to our graves. Therefore we must set them in a right place, take them as signs and evidences of our comfort, but not forget to rely rightly on our free justification, and the fruits thereof, as the foundation of comfort, which made Saint Paul, Phil. iii. 8, count all things ' but dung and dross in comparison of the righteousness of Christ.'