§ 4. (1.) Scripture shews, that certainty of salvation may be attained; and ought to be labored for: when it tells us so frequently, that the saints before us have known their justification and future salvation: When it declares, that _whosoever believeth in Christ shall not perish, but have everlasting life_; which it would be in vain to declare, if we cannot know ourselves to be believers or not: When it makes such a wide difference between the children of God, and the children of the Devil: When it bids us _give diligence to make our calling and election sure_; and earnestly urges us to _examine, prove, know our own selves, whether we be in the faith_ and whether _Jesus Christ be in us, except we be reprobates_: Also when its precepts require us to _rejoice always_, to call _God our father_, to _live in his praises_, to _love Christ's appearing_, to wish that he may _come quickly_, and to _comfort ourselves with_ the mention of _it_. But who can do any of these heartily, that is not in some measure sure that he is the child of God?
§ 5. (2.) Among the many hindrances which keep men from self-examination, we cannot doubt but Satan will do his part. If all the power he hath, or all the means and instruments he can employ, can do it, he will be sure above all duties to keep you from this. He is loth the godly should have that joy, assurance, and advantage against corruption, which the faithful performance of self-examination would procure them. As for the ungodly, he knows if they should once earnestly examine, they would find out his deceits and their own danger, and so be very likely to escape him. How could he get so many millions to hell willingly, if they knew they were going thither! And how could they avoid knowing it, if they did but thoroughly try; having such a clear light and sure rule in the Scripture to discover it? If the snare be not hid, the bird will escape it. Satan knows how to angle for souls better than to shew them the hook and line, or fright them away with a noise, or with his own appearance. Therefore he labors to keep them from a searching ministry; or to keep the minister from helping them to search, or to take off the edge of the word, that it may not _pierce and divide_; or to turn away their thoughts; or to possess them with prejudice. Satan knows when the minister hath provided a searching sermon, fitted to the state and necessity of an hearer; and therefore he will keep him away that day, if it be possible; or cast him into a sleep; or steal away the Word by the cares and talk of the world, or some way prevent its operation.
§ 6. Another great hindrance to self-examination arises from wicked men. Their examples; their merry company and discourse; their continually insisting on worldly concerns; their raillery and scoffs at godly persons; also their persuasions, allurements, and threats, are each of them exceeding great temptations to security. God doth scarce ever open the eyes of a poor sinner, to see that his way is wrong, but presently there is a multitude of Satan's apostles ready to deceive and settle him again in the quiet possession of his former master. "What," say they, "do you make a doubt of your salvation, who have lived so well, and done no body any harm? God is merciful, and if such as you shall not be saved, God help a great many! What do you think of all your forefathers? And what will become of all your friends and neighbors that live as you do? Will they all be damned? Come, come, if you hearken to these preachers, they will drive you out of your wits. Are not all men sinners? And did not Christ die to save sinners? Never trouble your head with these thoughts, and you shall do well." O how many thousands have such charms kept asleep in deceit and security, till death and hell have awakened them! The Lord calls to the sinner, and tells him, _The gate is strait, the way is narrow, and few find it: Try and examine, give diligence to make sure_. The world cries, Never doubt, never trouble yourselves with these thoughts. In this strait, sinner, consider, it is Christ, and not your forefathers, or neighbors, or friends, that must judge you at last; and if Christ condemn you, these cannot save you. Therefore common reason may tell you, that it is not from the words of ignorant men, but from the Word of God, you must fetch your hopes of salvation. When Ahab would inquire among the multitude of flattering prophets, it was his death. They can flatter men into the snare, but they cannot tell how to bring them out. _Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience; be not ye therefore partakers with them._[280]
[Footnote 280] Ephesians v, 6, 7.