The Doctrine of Predestination Truly and Fairly Stated. By Samuel Blair [pp. 536-558]

Samuel Blair.
gation that I know of) who, having very little knowledge
or capacity, had a very obscure and improper way of representing their case. In relating how they had been exercised,
they would chiefly speak of such things as were only the
effects of their souls' exercise upon their bodies from time to
time, and some things that were just imaginary, which obliged
me to be at much pains in my enquiries before I could get
any just ideas of their case. I would ask them, what were
the thoughts, the views, and apprehensions of their minds,
and exercise of their affections at such times when they felt,
perhaps, a quivering overcome them, as they had been saying, or a faintness, thought they saw their hearts full of some
nauseous filthiness, or when they felt a heavy weight and
load at their hearts, or felt the weight again taken off, and a
pleasant warmness rising from their hearts, as they would
probably express themselves, which might be the occasion
or causes of these things they spoke of? and then, when
with some difficulty I could get them to understand me, some
of them would give a pretty rational account of solemn spiritual exercises. And upon a thorough, careful examination
this way, I could not but conceive good hopes of some such
persons.
"But there were, moreover, several others, who seemed to
think concerning themselves that they were under some good
work, of whom yet I could have no reasonable ground to
think that they were under any hopeful work of the Spirit
of God. As near as I could judge of their case from all my
acquaintance and conversation with them, it was much to this
purpose: they believed there was a good work going on, that
people were convinced, and brought into a converted state,
and they desired to be converted too; they saw others weeping and fainting, and heard people mourning and lamenting,
and they thought if they could be like those it would be very
hopeful with them: hence they endeavoured just to get themselves affected by sermors, and if they could come to weeping, or get their passions so raised as to incline them to vent
themselves by cries, now they hoped they were got under
convictions, and were in a very hopeful way; and afterwards
they would speak of their being in trouble, and aim at complaining of themselves, but seemed as if they knew not well
how to do it, nor what to say against themselves, and then
they would be looking and expecting to get some texts of
scripture applied to them for their comfort; and when any
1837.]
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