The tryal of assurance set forth in a sermon preached at Boston upon a lecture day July 7th. 1698 / by Solomon Stoddard ...

USE IV.

Of Direction: To Saints how to get the know∣ledge of your sincerity; by getting such visib•••• actings of grace, that you may know them ce••••∣tainly to be the acts of saving grace: it is a gre•••• exercise to some Saints, whether they be since•••• Saints, they labour in it for many years; and o•••• Minister gives signs, and they try themselves 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, and another gives signs, and they try them∣selves by them; and sometimes they think th•• see the signs of Saints, and sometimes the sign of hypocrites: and they don't know what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make of themselves: the best way is to get su•• exercise of grace, that you may know it to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grace; don't let grace lie in a withering condi•••• on: let it flourish, that it may act visibly: th•• you may certainly know it: your walk witho•••• this, will never clear up your good condition.

Consider. 1. There is good use of sign provided they be true signs warranted by

••••ght interpretation of the Scripture; though ••••any signs that men give are very fallible: it if the signs be good, there is very good ••e to be made of them; though a man may ••k signs of signs endlessly; yet they are of ••••od advantage to beget a probable knowledge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a mans good estate; many persons are in∣••uraged and supported by them. 1 Joh. 3.14. ••••ereby we know that we are passed from death 〈◊〉〈◊〉 life, because we love the brethren: and they ••e a further confirmation to those that have ••••d Assurances of their sincerity: when they ••••d Scripture signs falling in with those evi∣dences, which they have formerly received, they ••••e further established thereby.

2. But the visible actings of Grace will ••••isfy all sorts of Christians. We may distin∣guish Christians into two sorts; some are persons 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great understanding and knowledge, they ••••ve a deep insight into those ways of deceit ••••d hypocrisy that the heart is subject to: ••••d they are apt to be puzled with questions ••••d doubts, that fly over the heads of others; ••••ey are afraid of such deceits as other men ••••n't suspect: but when they have plain visible ••••••rkings of Grace, that they know to be Grace, ••••is fully satisfyes them: Thou knowest that I ••••e thee. Joh. 21.17. Others are weak and ig∣norant and can't give many signs of true Grace,

nor distinctly take them up, when they are laid down: yet when they plainly see the vi∣sible actings of saving Grace, the thing is pu•• beyond question. A weak woman is as we•• satisfyed that she loves her child as the wisef•• man in the land, though she can't make a larg•• discourse upon it, nor prove it by infallible sign•• because she seels her love: so it is in this case.

3. Though the visible actings of Grace may be counterfeited, yet they that have them, may know that they have them. There is nothing but may be counterfeited, men may counterfeit themselves to be great men and holy men: Gol•• and Silver, and Jewels may be counterfeited So these visible actings of Grace; men may have very strong affections; where there is no love or godly sorrow. Matt. 8.19. Master I will follow thee whither soever thou goest. 1 Sam. 24. 16. Saul lift up his voice and wept. Men may say Hosanna to day, and Crucify to morrow Yet those that have the visible acting of Grace know it. He that dreams thinks he is awake, but he that is awake, knows he is awake: though there be counterfeits, yet the ••••ible actings may be known at the time.

4. If men have such visible actings of Grace but now and then, they will be of great use to them as long as they live: though they

may be after that Exposed to great Tempta∣tions, yet these actings of Grace that they have ••een, will be stay to them: they will wor•• an abiding hope in the heart; they will often have occasion to call to mind the years of the right hand of the most high, and their Song in the night. If a man should live many year after, he will not forget this. Psal. 63.2. That I may see thy power and glory, so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary. If he has great Tempta∣tions from deadness and from Gods with draw∣ings; this will come to mind, and so he will have hope: and the more such acts are re∣peated, the more advantage he is under to have a settled Assurance of his sincerity.

FINIS.