(3.) He helpeth us to discern this work in our souls more clearly. Conscience doth its part to discover it ; and the Spirit of God doth his part ; namely, as he helpeth us to know and see that grace which he giveth and actuatelh in us ; for he revealeth ' the things given us of God,' 1 Cor. ii. 12, not only in the gospel, though chiefly ; but also in our hearts. The workman that made a thing can best warrant it to the buyer. First he sauctifieth, and then he certifieth ; sometimes we overlook our evidences, through the darkness and confusion that is in our hearts. Hagar saw not the fountain that was near her, till God opened her eyes. Gen. xxi. 19. There is a misgiving in the conscience ; we cannot see grace in the midst of weakness and imperfections. Mary wept for the absence of Christ, when yet he stood by her, John xx. 14, 15. The Spirit dwelleth and worketh in their hearts, but they know it not.
(4.) He helpeth us not only to see grace, but to judge of the sincerity of grace. It is more easy to prove that we believe, than to know that our faith is saving; to love Christ, than to know that we love him in sincerity ; because of the deceitfulness of the heart, and the mixtures of unbelief, self-love, and other sins ; and some degrees may be in hypocrites, as temporary faith, tastes, imperfect love, partial obedience. And besides, grace where it is weak, is hardly perceived ; the air will show itself in a windy season ; the fire when it is blown up into a flame, it is no more hidden. Grace strengthened, increased, acted, is more evident to conscience ; habits are discerned by acts and exercise, and God is wont to reward the faithful soul with his assuring seal of light and comfort: 1 John iii. 18, 'Love not in word, or in tongue only, but in deed and in truth.' The less we are christians in show, and the more in sincerity, the more joy and peace.
(5.) He helpeth us with boldness to conclude from these evidences. Many times when the premises are clear, the conclusion is suspended. We find in case of condemnation, it is suspended out of self-love ; many know that they that live after the flesh shall die, yet they will not judge themselves ; and the same may be done in case of self-approbation, out of legal fear or jealousy ; for persons of great fancy, and large afi'ections, are always full of scruples, or loathness to apply the comforts due to them. The Spirit concludeth for them, that they are the children of God: 1 John iii. 14, 'We know that we have passed from death to life ; ' 1 John ii. 3, ' And hereby we know that we know him.'
(6.) He causeth us to feel the comfort of this conclusion : Rom. xv. 13, ' Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing ; ' it is an impression of the comforting Spirit ; and Acts ix. 31, ' Tliey walked in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.' The Spirit is necessary to this actual joy ; for it is possible a man may be persuaded of his sincerity, or have no doubting of it, and have too much deadness and dulness of soul ; not so comforted. Well then, it is not an oracle, as to Christ,
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Mat. iii. 17 ; nor an internal suggestion, Thou art a child of God ; we have no warrant for that from scripture. It is not only to, but with conscience. Now conscience goeth upon rational evidence ; and we reason and argue from what we feel, or find in ourselves ; and it is according to the covenant, where privileges are assigned the believer : John i. 12, ' To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God ; ' to the penitent : Acts ii. 38, ' Repent, and you shall receive the Holy Ghost ; ' to the obedient : ' He is become the author of salvation to all that obey him.'
2. Tlie one superaddeth to the other. Not the privilege without the qualification ; that is sufficiently done by the word ; not the conscience by discourse, and the Spirit immediately ; no, they concur to produce the same conclusion. The Spirit's testimony superaddeth certainty, authority, and overpowering light : 1 Cor. iv. 4, ' For I know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified ; but he that judgeth me is the Lord ; ' and Eom. ix. 1, ' I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.' As the influ- ences of the heavens work strongly, but imperceptibly, while they mingle themselves with the motions of the creatures ; so doth the Spirit with our spirit ; it fortifieth and strengtheneth the testimony of a man's own heart ; and so doth with more authority and power persuade us that we are the children of God.
3. The necessity of this to our full comfort.