[ 1196] Every peaceable frame of Spirit and confident perswasion of Gods love, is not a sure testimony that such a one is in the state of Grace.
IT is St. Pauls saying of himselfe, That he was alive without the Law, i. he had great quietnesse and ease of mind,* 1.1 all things went well with him, he was Cock a hoope, sound and safe, he thought himselfe in a sure and s••fe way; but alass, this was his ignorance, his blindnesse; just like a Man in a Dungeon, that thinks himselfe safe,* 1.2 when there are Serpents and poysonous Creatures round about him, onely he doth not see them: Or as a Man in a Lethargy, feels no pain though he be at the selfe same time near unto the gates of Death. And such is the condition of many persons, They thank God they have no trouble, their Soul is at much ease and quietnesse, they doubt not of Gods favour and love unto them; hence in the midst of their afflictions, when they are (but as it were) peeping into the furnace of tryall,* 1.3 they will say; I thank my good God, this is his doing, I will submit there∣unto, &c. When (alass) here's nothing but words, no assurance; and it may be said of such, as Christ of the Iews, You say he is your Father, but you have not known