229. That we may be convinced of sin, the Spirit must work a clear and commanding demonstration of our condition in nature. It takes away therefore all cavils, turnings, and windings ; even as when we see the sun shine we know it is day. The Spirit not only convinceth in generals that we are all sinners, but in particulars, and that strongly, * thou art the man.' This convincing is also universal, of sins of nature, of sins of life, sins of the understanding, of the will, and of the afiections ; of the misery of sin, of the danger of sin, of the folly and madness of sin, of sins against so many motives, so many favours. Proud nature arms itself with deftness,* strong translations, t strong mitigations. It is necessary therefore that the Holy Ghost should join with men's consciences to make them confess, ' I am the man.'
230. The convincing of the Spirit may be known from common convic- tion of conscience by this, that natural conviction is weak like a little spark, and convinceth only of breaches of the second table, and not of evangelical sins. Again, common conviction is against a man's will : it makes hjm not the better man, only he is tortured and tormented. But a man that is convinced by the Spirit, he joins with the Spirit against himself; he accuseth himself ; he takes God's part against himself. He is willing to be laid open, that he may find the greater mercy.
231. It is not enough to know that there is a righteousness of Christ, but the Spirit must open the eyes of the soul to see, else we shall have a
* That is, ' dexterity.'— G.
t That is, ' transferences.' Cf. Gen. iii. 12, seq. — G.
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natural knowledge of supernatural things. It is necessary to have a super- natural sight to see supernatural things, so as to change the soul ; and therefore the Spirit only works faith to see Christ is mine. Further, only the Spirit can work the conscience to be quiet, because he is greater than the conscience, and can answer all inward objections and cavils of flesh and blood. Unless, therefore, the Holy Ghost apply what Christ hath done, the conscience will not be satisfied.
232. The best men in the estate of grace would be in darkness, and call their state into question, if the Holy Ghost did not convince them, and answer all cavils for them ; and therefore we must not only be convinced at the first by the Spirit, but in our continued course of Christianity. This, therefore, should make us to come to God's ordinances with holy devotion. 0 Lord, vouchsafe the Spirit of revelation, and take the scales from mine eyes, that as these are truths, so they may be truths to me ! Do thou sway my soul, that I may cast myself upon thy mercy in Christ !
233. Spiritual convincing is not total in this life, but always leaves in the heart some dregs of doubting, though the soul be safe for the main. As a ship that rides at anchor is tossed and troubled, but the anchor holds it, so it is with the soul that is convinced weakly : it is sure of the main, yet it is tossed with many doubts and fears, but the anchor is in heaven.
234. The Spirit of God doth so far convince every Christian of the righteousness of Christ, as preserves in him such a power of grace, as to cast himself upon the mercy of God. God will send his Spirit so far into the heart, as it shall not betray itself to despair. He will let such a beam into the soul, as all the powers of hell shall not quench.
235. When we neglect prayer, and set upon duties in our own strength, and in confidence of our own parts ; if we belong to God we shall be sure to miscarry, though another man perhaps may prosper ; and therefore we should be continually dependent upon God for his direction and for his blessing in whatsoever we go about.
236. As many women, because they will not endure the pain of child- birth, do kill their children in the womb, so many men, who will not be troubled with holy actions, do stifle holy motions. Therefore, let us take heed of murdering the motions of the Holy Spirit, but let us entertain them, that when they are kindled, they may turn to resolution, and resolution into practice.
237. This is a common rule, ^that we cannot converse with company that are not spiritual, but if they vex us not they will taint us, unless we be put upon them in our callings. We should therefore make special choice of our company, and walk in a continual watchfulness.
238. It is rebellion against God for a man to make away himself. The very heathens could say, that we must not go out of our station till we be called, (d). It is the voice of Satan, ' Cast thyself down.' But what saith St Paul to the jailor ? ' Do thyself no harm, for we are all here,' Acts xvi. 28. We should so carry ourselves, that we may be content to stay here till God hath done that work he hath to do in us and by us ; and then he will call us hence in the best time.