2. Again, This is with conflict. You may know particular application
assurance of particular faith. This particular hath its ground from the general, from the word of God. The word saith that Christ gave himself for all believers; now I know I do believe: he loves all those that love him; and I know I love him, therefore I am beloved of him.
Thus true faith goes to the conditions of the word. Those that live in courses contrary to the word have not this faith. 'Be not deceived,' saith the Scripture: 'neither whoremonger, adulterer, nor unclean person, shall inherit the kingdom of God,' 1 Cor. 6:9. But I am such a one, saith a wicked man, and yet I think to enter into heaven, and that God will be merciful. No; in this case he will not be merciful, because one thus concludes wrongly, by a diabolical persuasion, contrary to the word.
2. Again, This is with conflict. You may know particular application where it is, to be good, because it is with conflict against temptations.
A man never enjoys his own assurance of Christ's particular love, but with a great deal of conflict. There are two grounds that faith lays:
(1.) That general truth, that whosoever casts himself upon Christ shall be saved.
(2.) The particular application hereof—but I cast myself upon Christ, therefore I shall be saved.
This particular application, which is the work of faith, is mightily assaulted, more than the general. The devil is content that a man should believe the former, but he troubles us in the application, 'but I believe.' He hinders, what he may, the reflect act, that we may not say, I know I believe. Thus, wheresoever the sense of Christ's love is, there is a mighty conflict before it comes. The devil labours by all means to hinder application, for he knows that particular faith brings
Christ home, which is all in all. But false Christians go on in a smooth course, are not thus assaulted from day to day. They hope well, not