. Beg of him to clear up their state, by his Spirit explaining the true
marks of grace, and discovering the working of grace in the soul.

But it will be said, and so I come to the _last_ particular, what, if
after all this, I remain as formerly, as unable to judge aright of my
state as ever?

_Answer._ Yet thou shouldst continue gripping Christ, loving him,
looking to him, casting a lost, dead soul with all thy wants upon him,
and mind this as thy constant work. Yea, thou shouldst labour to be
growing in these direct acts of faith; and learn to submit to God
herein, knowing that those reflect acts are not absolutely necessary;
and that thou shouldst think it much if he bring thee to heaven at
length, though covered with a cloud all thy days.

_Obj._ 2. But others get much more clearness.

_Ans._ I grant that; yet know, that every one getteth not clearness, and
such as have it, have it not in the same measure. And must God give thee
as much as he giveth to another? What if thou could not make that use of
it that others do, but wax proud thereby, and forget thyself? Therefore
it will be best to give God liberty to dispense his favours as he will,
and that thou be about thy commanded duty, the exercise of faith, love,
fear, patience, &c.

_Obj._ 3. But if at any time I got a sight of my case, it would be some
peace and satisfaction to me.

_Ans._ I grant that, and what knowest thou; but thou mayest also get
that favour ere thou die. Why then wilt thou not wait his leisure?

_Obj._ 4. But the want of it in the mean time maketh me go heartlessly
and discouragedly about commanded duties, and maketh that I cannot apply
things distinctly to myself.

_Ans._ Yet the word of command is the same, the offer is the same, and
the encouragement is the same. Why then should thou not be going on,
leaning to Christ in the wilderness, even though thou want that
comfortable sight?

_Obj._ 5. But it is one thing to want a clear sight of my state, it is
another thing to judge myself, to be yet in the state of nature; and
this is my case.

_Ans._ I grant, this is the worst of the two; yet, what if thou misjudge
thyself without ground; should thou not suffer for thy own folly; and
whom can thou blame but thyself? And if thou judge so, thou cannot but
know that it is thy duty to do the thing that thou supposeth is not yet
done, that is, run away to Christ for life and salvation, and rest on
him and abide there; and if this were freq