scudderpage249

Page 249

servances, where is truth, are far more acceptable than entire omissions. Wherefore, if as you say, you would not increase your sin, and thereby your damnation, be willing to use, and to join with others in the use of all good means of salvation; then, if you be not saved, yet you shall have the less punishment. But you may be assured, that if in obedience to God's commandments you shall pray, hear the word, receive the sacrament, and have communion and conversation with those that fear God, you shall be saved in the end, believing in Christ Jesus.

If you do not yet feel benefit and comfort, when you use these means of salvation, according to your desire, yet you must wait the good hour both of grace and comfort, even as the impotent people did, who lay waiting for the angel's coming to move the waters, that they might be healed of their diseases, at the pool of Bethesda, John v. 8. For if, when God hides his face, you will wait and look for him, Isa. viii. 17, then God will wait his time to be gracious, and blessed shall you be that wait for him, Isa. xxx. 18. It may be, it comes justly upon you, that God should make you wait his leisure, and cause you to buy wisdom with dear experience, because you did once account it an easy matter to believe and repent, and therefore you did not take the first offers, but made God wait. If it were thus, yet despair not of grace: only be humbled. For God does not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us after our iniquities, Psa. ciii. 10, but according to his rich mercy and promise, made to us in Christ Jesus.

SECT. 8. FEARS ARISING FROM DOUBTS OF GOD'S LOVE, REMOVED.

There are many, who have true proofs that they are the chosen of God, and have reason to think that God not only can, but will do them good; yet because they will deny that to be bestowed upon them, and to be in them, which indeed is, therefore they fear,