Walter Marshall (The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, pp. 230-232):
[A]s to the duties of the first table, if you would draw near to God, in the duty of his worship, with a true heart, you must do it in full assurunce of faith, concerning your enjoyment of Christ and his salvation.
And would you perform the great duty of “trusting on the Lord, with all your heart, casting your care upon him,” and committing the disposal of yourself to him in all your concerns? Persuade yourself through Christ, that God, according to his promise, will never fail you, nor forsake you; that he taketh a fatherly care of you; that he will withhold no good thing from you; and will make all things to work for your good. And thus you will be strong and courageous in the practice of this duty; whereas, if you live in the mere suspense concerning your interest in the privileges, you will be subject to carnal fears, and carking cares, in despite of your heart; and you will be prone to trust on the arm of flesh, though your conscience tell you plainly, that, in so doing, you incur the heinous guilt of idolatry.
Would you be strengthened to submit to the hand of God, with a cheerful patience, in bearing any affliction, and death itself? the way to fortify yourselves, is, to believe assuredly, that “your afflictions, which are but for a moment, do work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” that Christ is “your gain in death and life;” and his grace is sufficient for you, and his strength made perfect in your weakness; and that he will not suffer you to be tempted above that you that you are able; and will, at last, make you more than conquerors over all evil. Until you attain unto such persuasions as these, you will be prone to fret and murmur under the burden of affliction, and to use indirect means to deliver yourselves, notwithstanding the clearest convictions to the contrary.
Would you limit yourselves to the observation of God’s own institutions in his worship? believe that you are complete in Christ, and have all perfection of spiritual blessings in him; and that God will build you up in Christ by the ordinances of his own appointment. This will make you account his ordinances sufficient, and men’s traditions and inventions needless in the worship of God; whereas, if you do not apprehend all fulness in Christ, you will be like the Papists, fond to catch at every straw, and to multiply superstitious observations without end, for the supply of your spiritual wants.
Would you confess your sins to God, pray to him, and praise him hearty for his benefits? would you praise him for afflictions, as well as prosperity? believe assuredly, that God is faithful and just to forgive your sin through Christ; that you are made a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praises, that are acceptable to God through Christ; and that God heareth your prayers, and will fulfil them, so far as they are good for you; and that all God’s ways are mercy and truth towards, you, whether he prosper or afflict you in this life.
And would you perform the great duty of “trusting on the Lord, with all your heart, casting your care upon him,” and committing the disposal of yourself to him in all your concerns? Persuade yourself through Christ, that God, according to his promise, will never fail you, nor forsake you; that he taketh a fatherly care of you; that he will withhold no good thing from you; and will make all things to work for your good. And thus you will be strong and courageous in the practice of this duty; whereas, if you live in the mere suspense concerning your interest in the privileges, you will be subject to carnal fears, and carking cares, in despite of your heart; and you will be prone to trust on the arm of flesh, though your conscience tell you plainly, that, in so doing, you incur the heinous guilt of idolatry.
Would you be strengthened to submit to the hand of God, with a cheerful patience, in bearing any affliction, and death itself? the way to fortify yourselves, is, to believe assuredly, that “your afflictions, which are but for a moment, do work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” that Christ is “your gain in death and life;” and his grace is sufficient for you, and his strength made perfect in your weakness; and that he will not suffer you to be tempted above that you that you are able; and will, at last, make you more than conquerors over all evil. Until you attain unto such persuasions as these, you will be prone to fret and murmur under the burden of affliction, and to use indirect means to deliver yourselves, notwithstanding the clearest convictions to the contrary.
Would you limit yourselves to the observation of God’s own institutions in his worship? believe that you are complete in Christ, and have all perfection of spiritual blessings in him; and that God will build you up in Christ by the ordinances of his own appointment. This will make you account his ordinances sufficient, and men’s traditions and inventions needless in the worship of God; whereas, if you do not apprehend all fulness in Christ, you will be like the Papists, fond to catch at every straw, and to multiply superstitious observations without end, for the supply of your spiritual wants.
Would you confess your sins to God, pray to him, and praise him hearty for his benefits? would you praise him for afflictions, as well as prosperity? believe assuredly, that God is faithful and just to forgive your sin through Christ; that you are made a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praises, that are acceptable to God through Christ; and that God heareth your prayers, and will fulfil them, so far as they are good for you; and that all God’s ways are mercy and truth towards, you, whether he prosper or afflict you in this life.
