The Doubting Believer

This Treatise which now is presented to a publike construction, was (many yeers past) the subject of my private Meditations and Sermons. I did not affect any farther publication of it, then in the Pulpit; but the importunity of others hath compelled it thus to appear in Print. Not that the manner of handling the Subject (here insisted on) is excellent or exquisite, but that the matter handled may be supposed to be of common use & benefit; as a little star hath influence, though not that glory which is proper to the Sun.The case which is here put & discussed, is a case of common experience; there is no beleever, but sometime or other will confess it is his. The Sun being seated in an heavenly orb, shineth with a very pure & constant light, but the candle (though set, & burning in a golden candlestick, yet) burns with a snuffe, & much variablenesse. When Christians are translated, and transplanted from earth to heaven then their graces shall become perfections; there are no defects in heaven, there are no mixtures inheaven, but whatsoever is pure there, it is altogether pure: yet on earth it is otherwise, neither the habits of grace, nor the acts of grace are alone in any Christian: When I would doe good, evil is present with me, said Paul; And, I beleeve, Lord, help my unbelief, said that poor man in the Gospel. Where is the beleever who insists not more on his fears then on his faith? and is not oftner lamenting his doubts, then rejoycing in his assurances? none have an interest in Christ, but beleevers; none have title to a solid and setled peace, but they; and yet we see the children fearful, & bondmen confident; the best of men still in suit, & the worst of men quiet, as if in ful possession; none doubting less then such as have most cause to doubt, & none doubting more then such as have most cause to triumph in Christ. And in truth thus it wil be, whiles gross ignorance veils over presumptuous sinners, and misbelief is incident to tender spirits.And is not the hand of Joab in this business too? Is not Satan in all the sins of wicked men, and in most of the troubles of good men? either he tempts us to sin, & that will cause us to doubt; or else hee tempts us to doubt, and that wil cause us to sin. Surely it is not the shortest of his wiles and arts, in matters of Religion, to keepe the judgements of some still staggering; and in matters of a souls interest in Christ, to keep the heart still doubting. Doth he not know that the Christian canot so happily improve Christ, who is stilin suit to prove his title to Christ?For the better expediting of these soul-suits, peruse (if thou pleasest) this ensuing Work, which is (I confess) not a garden for every one to walk in, but only physick for the sick or weak. It is intended as an Hospital for the lame, only for a troubled sinner, only for a weak believer: And the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, even he who establisheth us in Christ, prosper it for his glory and the help of some one or other.Thy faiths servant,OBADIAH SEDGWICK.