Ioy in tribulation. Or, Consolations for the afflicted spirits. By Phinees Fletcher, B.D. and minister of Gods Word at Hilgay in Norfolke

CHAP. XXVII. That this assurance is the gift of God, the feeling of it sometimes with-held, sometimes with-drawne from the faithfull.

LAstly, that this full per∣swasion of faith, assuring our election, and salvation is the gift of God, cannot be de∣nied, and therefore shall not neede any copious, or exact proofe: For we all know, and acknowledge that everie good and perfect gift is from above,* 1.1 and commeth downe from the Fa∣ther of lights, with whom is no variablenesse, nor shadow of tur∣ning. Among which gifts, e∣ven the Giver himselfe is the chiefe, and the very summe

of all the rest, namely, that blessed Spirit given by the Father (Ioh. 14. 16.) who testi∣fieth to our spirits, that we are Sonnes of God, and Heires with the Lord Jesus Christ: and who bringerh with him as wel that gift of faith (1 Cor. 12. 9.) and the fulnesse of it, as al∣so that spiritual life, and sense whereby wee see, and feele the ex••ellent things which are given us by God,* 1.2 things which eye hath not seene, eare h••th not heard, nor ever entred into the heart of man.

Secondly, as it is mani∣fest that it is the gift of God, so is it as apparent that it is not given at all times to all Beleevers. For first, when wee are new borne Babes, wee finde our faith

so farre from any full assu∣rance, that others discerne our life in our earnest long∣ings after the Word, and our fervent desires that wee could beleeve, rather than our selves in feeling that wee doe beleeve.

For whereas it is impossi∣ble to come to any assurance of our salvation without a spirit of discerning, where∣by being able to try things that differ, wee can examine and prove our faith in God, and love to his Saints (and so come to the knowledge of our dwelling in Christ, and that wee are translated from death to life) this spirit of discerning is not ordinarily given to In∣fants in understanding. Looke as the Children of great

Princes (yet in their infancy) much rejoyce in their costly Robes, Coronets, &c. but have not yet discretion to ga∣ther thence their Noble pa∣rentage and dignity, to which they are borne: so Christian Babes, though they see them∣selves richly adorned with those heavenly graces of God and doe not a little rejoyce in the preseut estate which they feele, yet cannot in this their infancy, by a reflected act of the judgement, gather thence their sure title, and claime to all those precious promises of God, and their future glorie, which depend on the former.

Secondly, yet further, when the children of God 〈…〉〈…〉 up to s••me ma••u∣〈…〉〈…〉 ye•• i•• plea∣seth

the Lord, (as for many reasons best knowne to his owne wisedome, so certain∣ly for his own glory in them, and their glory in him) to ex∣ercise them with many temp∣tations, and manifold trials; so that being encumbred with much wrastling against unbe∣leefe, and other corruptions, they cannot for the present at∣taine this certainty. But when the eye of faith is strength∣ned, and these mists of tenta∣tion over-blowne, the faith∣full soule seeth cleerely the love of God in Christ, by his holy Spirit leading him to salvation, and evidently dis∣cernes his everlasting happi∣nesse sealed up to his soule in the new Covenant.

And yet even then wee are

subject to lose, though not the favor of God, yet the sense of his favour, and consequently, that comfortable perswasion of our eternal life. For as some men by much neglect of sea∣sonable refreshings decay in bodily strength, and liveli∣nesse of spirit; and some o∣ther by great distemper fall into sicknesse and weaknesse; so the strongest Christian who could say as David,* 1.3 Though I walk through the shadow of death I will feare no euill, for thou art with me: Surely, goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life; yet either by neg∣lect, or coldnes in the means, (Word, Prayer, &c.) or by some grievous sinne may finde that joy of his salvation utterly hidden and clouded; as did

also that holy Prophet (Psal. 51.12.) after he had commit∣ted that foule sinne upon Vri∣ah and his wife.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iams 1. 17••
• * 1.2

  1•• Cor. 2.9.
• * 1.3

  Psa. 23.4,6