8. This is laid down in the inquiry, " Whether this state may he known unto him who is really jKirtaker of it or translated into it, or unto others that may be concerned therein?" To which I say. The difference that is between these two states, and the constitutive causes of them, as it is real, so it is discernible. It may be known by them- selves who are in those states, and others. It may be known who are born of God, and who are yet children of the devil, — who are quick- ened by Christ, and who are yet " dead in trespasses and sins." But here also observe, —
(1.) That I do not say this is always known to the persons them- selves concerned in this distribution. Many cry, "Peace, peace," when sudden destruction is at hand. These either think themselves rege- nerate when they are not, or else wilfully despise the coiisideration of what is required in them that they may have peace, and so delude their own souls unto their ruin. And many that are truly born of God yet know it not; they may for a season walk in darkness, and have no light. Nor, —
(2.) That this is aUuays known to others. It is not known unto unregenerate men in respect of them that are so ; for they know not really and substantially what it is to be so. Natural men percei\e not the things of God; that is, spiritually, in their own light and na- ture, ] Cor. ii. And as they cannot aright discern the things which put men into that condition (for they are foolishness unto them), so f hoy cannot judge aright of their persons in whom they are. And if they do at any time judge aright notionally concerning any things or
Ver.4.] INTERNAL HINDERANCES TO FAITH. 589
persons, j^et they do not judge so upon right grounds, nor with any evidence in or unto themselves of what they do judge. Wherefore generally they judge amiss of such persons; and because they make profession of somewhat which they find not in themselves, they judge them hypocrites, and false pretenders unto what is not: for those things which evince their union with Christ, and which evi- dence their being born of God, they savour them not, nor can receive them. Nor is tliis always known unto or discerned by them that are regenerate. They may sometimes, with Peter, think Simon Magxis to be a true believer, or, with Eli, an Hannah to be a daughter of Belial. Many hypocrites are set forth with gifts, common gi-aces, light, and profession, so that they pass amongst all believers for such as are born of God; and many poor saints maybe so disguised, under darkness, temptation, sin, as to be looked on as strangers from that family whereunto indeed they do belong. The judgment of man may fail, but the judgment of God is according unto righteousness. Where- fore,—
(3.) This is that we say. It may he knoivn, in the sedulous use of means appointed for that end, to a 'man's self and others, which of the conditions mentioned he doth belong unto, — that is, whether he be regenerate or no, — so far as his or their concernment lies there- in. This, I say, may be known, and that infallibly and assuredly, with reference unto any duty wherein from hence we are concerned. The discharge of some duties in ourselves and towards others depends on this knowledge; and therefore we may attain it so far as it is necessary for the discharge of such duties unto the glory of God. Now, because it is not directly in our way, yet having been men- tioned, I shall briefly, in our passage, touch upon the latter, or what duties do depend upon our judging of others to be regenerate, and the way or principles whereby such a judgment may be made: —
[1.] There are many duties incumbent on us to be performed with and towards professors, which, without admitting a judgment to be made of then- state and condition, cannot be performed in faith. And in reference unto these duties alone it is that we are called to judge the state of others; for we are not giving countenance unto a rash, uncharitable censuring of men's spiritual conditions, nor unto any judging of any men, any other than what our own duty towards them doth indispensably require. Thus, if we are to " lay down our lives for the brethren," it is very meet we should so far know them so to be as that we may hazard our lives in faith when we are called thereunto. We are also to join with them in those ordinances where- in we make a solemn profession that we are members of the same body with them, that we have the same Head, the same Spirit, faith, and love. We must love them because they are begotten of Gotl,
6.90 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM CXXX. [Ver.4.
children of our heavenly Father; and therefore must on some good ground believe them so to be. In a word, the due performance of all principal mutual gospel duties, to the glory of God and our own edi- fication, depends on this supposition, that we may have such a satis- fying persuasion concerning the spiritual condition of others as that from thence we may take our aim in what we do.