Christian See to Thy Conscience, Treatise · Chapter 53
CHAP. 53. Of the difference betweene confidence from a good Conſcience, and preſumption from a deceitfull heart.
THere be two rocks on which man ſplit their Soules; the one is deſperation which moſt feare, and feweſt feele; the other preſumption, which almoſt none dread, and yet by it moſt are tumbled into Hel, before they be aware: not one of tenne thouſands ſhall we heare of deſpairing, but tenne thouſands to one of them preſuming, as the whole World in the daies of Noah, a whole City, yea many Cities, while one Lot feared, and the reſt by preſumption periſhed.
Now holy Confidence with a good Conſcience preſerueth from both, from the one, and from the other; ſo that a godly man ſhall neither deſpaire nor preſume. Confidence is oppoſite to deſpaire, and therfore need I not ſet out their differences; but confidence and preſumption hauehave ſome ſemblances; and therefore it is fit they ſhould be well diſcerned one from the other.
Section 1. In whom they be, and their natures or properties.
THe one is in the regenerate, and is ſupernaturall, in one of a good Conſcience, qualified with grace: The other in the vnregenerate; and is naturall in one of an ill Conſcience, and without grace. Preſumption takes all for granted without examination; and can giuegive no good reaſon of his ſtate between God and him: but confidence from a good Conſcience truſteth vponupon ſound triall, ſerious ſearching out of a mans ſtanding, and is able to yeld ſufficient reaſon of that Confidence: preſumption giueth nature it ſwing, ſo doth not this holy confidence, but reſtrains it.
Section 3. Of their differing cauſes.
PReſumption is from ſelf conceit, & wrought by Satan, who ſuggeſteth perſuaſion of mercy, though men liue neuer ſo wickedly without any care of religious duties. Confidence from a good Conſcience is wrought by Gods ſpirit, and ſo holds faſt vponupon Gods mercy, not ſeparated from a reuerent awe of God, and holy obedience. Preſumption groweth vponupon outward proſperity, worldly preferments, and carthly contentments: But confidence from a good Conſcience groweth vponupon inward peace with God, when the World frowneth, and affordeth nothing but diſcontentments. Preſumption g…tteth ſtrength from other mens ſinnes, from ſuch as ſinne as they do, or doe worſe in ſome euils but eſpecially from the falls of duplicate page duplicate page the godly: But this holy confidence is therby ſomwhat ſhaken, and that through feare of falling. Preſumption is ignorant, and is built vponupon ſome erroneous conceits; as that, God made all, ſo will he be mercifull and ſaue all, contrarie to Iſai. 27. 11. that Chriſt died for all, and yet will at laſt day damne many; that God requireth no more of man, then he is able to performe; that many make more adoe to goe to heauen, then needeth; that there needs not ſo much teaching and preaching, that all that can be ſaid, is to louelove God aboue all, and our Neighbour as our ſelues and ſuch like falſe imaginations. But ſpirituall confidence is grounded vponupon ſound knowledge, and reiecteth theſe rotten props, and falſ…ities, and knowes the way to Heauen to be ſtraite, and few find it.
Section 4. Of their differing effects.
Preſumption makes a man to think repentance an eaſie act, and therefore to deferre of his repentance from time to time til he can finde leaſure to repent. So doth not this confidence: but iudgeth it hard; and feares to put it off, labouring to ſhew forth repentance and the duplicate page duplicate page fruits thereof daily. Preſumption makes a man to neglect the meanes of ſaluation, preaching of Gods word, holy meditation, feruent prayer. This holy confidence moueth vsus to the vſe of the meanes, and therein to delight and to exerciſe our ſelues therin. Preſumption makes a man in the vſe of the meanes, hearing, praying, receiuing the Sacrament, to do them as duties to be done: but without any care of the manner, effect, and fruit reaped thereby. But this heauenly confidence in holy exerciſes and duties makes a man to doe them as with the matter, ſo to hauehave regard to the maner, obſeruing the effects and expreſſing the fruites afterwards. Preſumption makes a man proud and willfull,1. Pet. 2. 10 eſpecially in proſperity; but baſely to be deiected and caſt downe in aduerſity. This confidence, from a good Conſcience, works gracious humility, ſelfe deniall euen in proſperity, and is not without comfort and courage in aduerſity. Preſumption makes aDeut. 1. 43. Ier. 43. 2. 4. 7. man bold to ſinne, as the Iſraelites did, proud Iohanan, and Amaziah the2. Chr. 25. King; though fore warned to the contrarie. This confidence reſtraineth from ſinne, and makes a man to feare that he offend not, eſpecially being fore warned. Preſumption cannot encourage a man to goe to God, and there to lay open all his ſinnes before him particularly, but onelyonly to confeſſe in generall that he is a ſinner. But this conſcionable confidence affordeth a man comfort in ſo doing ſo as he dare do it with perſwaſion of mercy. Preſumption will neuer hearten a man to ſuffer boldly for religion, but makes him to feare, faint, and to ſtart backe in ſuch a caſe. But this confidence from a good Conſcience makes a man ſtout in Gods cauſe, and to reioyce in tribulation for righteouſneſſe ſake. Laſtly preſumption carrieth a man to Hell; but this confidence bringeth to Heauen. And thus farre touching the difference of theſe two.