us, which the Spirit discovers to be according to the
word. The Spirit makes known to us things that are freely given; but, by
"comparing spiritual things with spiritual," 1 Cor. ii. 10, 13. The fruit
and special work of the Holy Ghost in us is the _medium_, and the Spirit's
light irradiates and shines upon it, and makes the heart to see them
clearly. For, though we be the children of light, yet our light hath so
much darkness, as there must be a supervenient and accessory light of the
Spirit, to discover that light unto us. Now what is all this to us? I fear
that there be many ungrounded persuasions among us,--that many build on a
sandy foundation, even a strong opinion that it is well with them, without
any examination of their souls and conversations according to the word;
and this certainly, when the tempest blows, cannot stand. Some teach, that
no man should question whether he believe or not, but presently believe. I
think none can believe too suddenly; it is always in season, _nunquam sera
est fides nec paenitentia_,--it is never late in respect of the promise; and
it is never too early in respect of a man's case. But I cannot think any
man can believe, till the Spirit have convinced him of his unbelief; and
therefore I would think the most part of men nearer faith in Jesus Christ,
if they knew they wanted faith. Nay, it is a part of faith, and believing
God in his word, and setting to our seal that God is true, for a man to
take with his unbelief, and his natural inability, yea, averseness to it.
I would think that those who could not believe in Christ, because they
sought honour one of another, and went about to kill him, they had done
well to have taken with that challenge of Christ's; and if men ought to
take with their sin, they ought to search and try their sin, that they may
find it out, to take with it. I wonder, since Antinomians make unbelief
the only sin in the world, that they cannot endure the discovery and
confession of it. It seems they do not think it so heinous a sin. I
confess, no man should of purpose abstain from believing in Christ, till
he find out whether he hath believed or not; but whatever hath been, he is
bound presently to act faith in Jesus Christ; to flee unto him as a lost
sinner, to a saving Mediator. But that every man is bound to persuade
himself at the first, that God hath loved him, and Christ redeemed him, is
the hope of the hypocrite,--like a spider's web, which, when leaned to,