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with such sweetness, as to produce the same effects. I remember an
instance of one, who, reading something concerning God's sovereign way
of saving sinners, as being self-moved-having no regard to men's own
righteousness as the motive of His grace, but as magnifying Himself and
abasing man, or to that purpose-felt such a sudden rapture of joy and
delight in the consideration of it: and yet then he suspected himself to
be in a Christless condition, and had been long in great distress for
fear that God would not have mercy on him.
Many continue a long time in a course of gracious exercises and
experiences, and do not think themselves to be converted, but conclude
otherwise; and none knows how long they would continue so, were they not
helped by particular instructions. There are undoubted instances of some
who have lived in this way for many years together; and these
circumstances had various consequences, with various persons, and with
the same persons, at various times. Some continue in great encouragement
and hope, that they shall obtain mercy in a steadfast resolution to
persevere in seeking it, and in an humble waiting in it before God. But
very often, when the lively sense of the sufficiency of Christ and the
riches of divine grace, begins to vanish, upon a withdrawment of divine
influences, they return to greater distress than ever. For they have now
a far greater sense of the misery of a natural condition than before,
being in a new manner sensible of the reality of eternal things, the
greatness of God, His excellency, and how dreadful it is to be separated
from Him, and to be subject to His wrath; so that they are sometimes
swallowed up with darkness and amazement. Satan has a vast advantage in
such cases to ply them with various temptations, which he is not wont to
neglect: in such a case, persons very much need a guide to lead them to
an understanding of what we are taught in the
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