FRom the apprehension, and sense of Gods love, followes a confirmed hope, or confidence, and undoubted expectation of eternall life. Now concerning this hope, and certainty, the first Question is whether a believer may be infallibly be assured of his salvation?

1. Ans. There is not onely a possibility for the believer to come to this certainty, but it is his duty also, never to rest contented till he have obtained it, Heb. 6. 11. & 10. 22. Rom. 4. 21 & 8. 35.-39. For

2. First, God hath confirmed this to every believer by promise, by oath, by earnest, by seals, Iohn 3. 16. Ier. 31. 40, 41. Heb. 6. 17. Eph. 1. 14. Mark. 16. 16.

3. Secondly, Faith ought to receive all that which God hath thus confirmed, Heb. 4. 2.

4. This certainty is perfected in us by three Acts, 1. by an act of Faith properly so called whereby we rest upon God by Christ, for the certaine obtaining of salvation: 2 By an act [gap] of knowledge, whereby we believing do understand that God hath certainly adjudged this salvation unto us. 3. By an act of confidence or of hope, whereby we certainly looke for this salvation, which is thus adjudg'd to us and made ours. But yet for all that the whole application is attributed to Faith, because it dependeth first, and chiefly on faith.

5. Thirdly, salvation, and life eternall is contained in the object of Faith. For we believe life everlasting, 1 Peter 1. 3, 4, 5.

6. Fourthly, true grace (of the certainty of which we spake before) is never separated from life eternall, Heb. 6. 9. For the grace of justification is a more certaine cause of life, and the grace of sanctification is a part of eternall life, Iohn. 17. 3. Gal. 2. 20.

7. Fifthly, God the Father hath decreed to bring to eternal life all those that believe, for Faith is a fruit of election, Acts 2. 47. & 13 48.

8. Sixthly, Christ our Saviour d[gap]th perpetually intercede for the faithfull, that they may be preserved from evill, Iohn 17. 15.

9. Seventhly, the holy Ghost doth direct, and keepe the faithfull to life eternall, Iohn 16. 16. Ez 36. 27.

10. Eighthly, by the power of God, and Christ, the faithfull are preserved, Iohn 10. 28, 29. 1 Pet. 1. 5. And strengthned, Eph. 3. 16. Col. 1. 10. Pil. 4. 1.

The second Question by what motives a believer may be stirred up to seeke for this certainty of hope with all diligence?

11. Ans. 1. God requires this, Rom. 15 13. Col. 1▪ 23. Heb. 6. 11. & 10. 22. 1 Pet. 5 9.

12. Secondly, this hope is as necessary for a believer in time of temptation, as a helmet is for a Souldier, and an anchor for a Ship, Ep. 6. 17. 1 Thess. 5. 8. Heb. 6. 19.

13. Thirdly, it brings with it freedome, and strength and courage, and constancy, in every worke of the Lord, Heb. 3. 6. 1 Cor. 15. 58. The reason is because the end, and fruit of a mans worke doth allure, and wh[gap]t him on to industry, and constancy in working. For although our salvation be not the chiefe, and last end of our obedience, yet it is the fruit of it, and in that respect, partaketh of the nature of an end, Rom. 6. 22. So that it is not only lawfull but very expedient also, for the helpe of our infirmity to set about the worke of piety, with an eye upon the recompence of reward, Iames 5. 7. Gal. 6, 7, 8▪ Heb. 12. 2. Ps. 19. 12.

14. Fourthly, it is the end of the calling of the Faithfull,

whence also it is stil'd the hope of their calling, Eph. 1. 18.

15. Fifthly, this hope maketh not ashamed, because it is never vaine, neither doth it deceive, Rom. 5. 4, 5. Rom. 8. 24.

16. Sixthly, it is hope by which a beleever is saved, Romans 8. 24.

The third Question is what a beleever ought to do for the obtaining and preserving of a lively hope.

17. Ans. He ought, 1. to preserve his Faith firme, and lively. For hope flowes from▪ and depends upon Faith, and that not only, the being of Faith, but the degree, the measure, and the sense of it. Heb. 11. 1.

18. Secondly, he ought with all care to keepe a good conscience: for such a Conscience doth make much for the confirming of Faith and hope, 1 Tim. 1. 19. 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.

19. Thirdly, he ought diligently to observe the experiment which he hath had of Gods love towards him. For experience causeth hope, Rom. 5. 4.

20 Fourthly, he ought oftentimes to set before his eyes the examples of those, who have with happy successe placed their hope in God, Iames 5. 10, 11.

21. Fifthly, he ought to be frequent in the exercises of piety, Rom. 1[gap]. 4.

The fourth Question is what are the signes of a true and lively hope?

22. Ans. 1. True hope is carried upon God onely, who is therefore cal'd the God of hope, Rom. 15. 1[gap]. And the hope of Israel, Ier. 14. 8.

23. Secondly, it rests upon that free mercy of God which is manifested in justification, and not upon any humane merits, or strength, nor upon any externall and common blessings of God, Rom. 5. 1.

24. Thirdly, it doth expect not only happinesse, but sanctification also, Gal. 5. 5.

25. Fourthly, it is begotten, and preserved by holy exercises, Rom. 15. 4.

26. Fifthly, it brings forth patience, 1 Thess. 1. 3.

27. Sixthly, it causeth spirituall joy, Heb. 3. 6.

28. Seventhly, it begetteth a constant care of holynesse, 1 Iohn 3. 3.