scudderpage326

Page 326

Rom. viii. 37. You shall not only hold what you have obtained, but shall possess all that Christ has won for you. And the more battles you have fought, and in them, through Christ, have overcome, the greater triumph you shall have in glory.

SECT. 13. THE CHRISTIAN'S GROUND OF HOPE AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD, AGAINST ALL KINDS OF FEAR.

Now as a surplusage to all that has been said against groundless fears, which deprive poor souls of heavenly comfort; if any yet cannot be satisfied, but still fear that God is not at peace with them, I will propose a few questions, to which, if any soul can answer affirmatively, he may be assured of God's peace and love, and of his own salvation, whatsoever his fears or feelings may for the present be.

1. How stand you affected to sin? Are you afraid to offend God thereby? Is it so that you dare not wilfully sin? Is it your grief and burden that you cannot abstain from sin, get the victory over it, or deliver yourself from it so soon as you would, when you are fallen into it?

2. How stand you affected towards holiness and goodness, and unto the power of godliness? Is it your hearty desire to know God's will, that you may do it? Do you desire to fear him, and please him in all things? And is it your grief and trouble when you fail in well doing? And is it any joy to you to do well in any true measure?

3. How stand you affected to the church and religion of God? Are you glad when things go well in the church, though it go ill with you in your own particular? And are you grieved when things go ill in the church, when it may happen to be with you, as it was with good Nehemiah, Neh. i. 4; or Ichabod's mother, that all things go very well, or at least tolerably well, as to your own personal concern? 1 Sam. iv. 20, 21.

4. How stand you affected to men? Is it so that