59 G AN EXPOSITION uroN rsALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
James i. 18; " We are Lorn again by the word of God, which livetli and abideth for ever," 1 Pet. i. 23. Wherever, then, a man is regene- rate, there hath been an effectual work of the Spirit and of the word upon the soul. This is to be inquired into and after. Ordinarily it will discover itself Such impressions will be made in it ujion the soul, such a change will be wrought and produced in it, as will not escape a spiritual diligent search and inquiry. And this is much of the duty of such as are in the dark, and uncertain concerning the ac- complishment of this work in themselves. Let them call to mind Avhat have been the actiugs of the Spirit by the word upon their souls; what light thereby hath been communicated unto their minds; what discoveries of the Lord Christ and way of salvation have been made to them; what sense and detestation of sin have been wrought in them; what satisfaction hath been given unto the soul, to choose, accept, and acquiesce in the righteousness of Christ; what resignation of the heart unto God, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace, it liath been wrought unto. Call to mind what transactions there have been between God and your souls about these things ; how far they have been carried on ; whether you have broken off the treaty with God, and refused his terms, or if not, where the stay is between you ; and Avhat is the reason, since God hath graciously begun to deal thus with you, that you are not yet come to a thorough close with him in the Avork and design of his grace? The defect must of necessity lie on your parts. God doth nothing in vain. Had he not been willing to receive you, he would not have dealt with you- so far as he hath done. There is nothing, then, remains to firm your condition but a resolved act of your own wills in answering the mind and will of God. And by this search may the soul come to satisfaction in this matter, or at least find out and discover where the stick is whence their uncertainty doth arise, and what is wanting to complete their deshe.
Again: this work may be discovered by its effects. There is something that is produced by it in the soul, which may also ])e con- sidered either with respect unto its being and existence, or unto its actings and operations. In the first regard it is spirit: John iii. 6, " That which is born of the Spirit," which is produced by the effec- tual operation of the Spirit of God, it " is spirit," — " a new creature," 2 Cor. V 17. He that is in Christ Jesus, who is born again, is a new creature, a new life, a spiritual life, Gal. ii. 20; Eph. ii. 1. In brief, it is an liabitual furnishment of all the faculties of the soul with new spiritual, vital principles, enabling a person in all instances of obedience to lead a spiritual life unto God. This principle is by this work produced in the soul. And in respect of its actings, it con- sists in all the gracious operations of the mind, will, heart, or affec-
Ver.4.] RULES FOR JUDGING AS TO INHERENT GRACE. 597
tions, ill the duties of obedience which God hath required of us This is that which gives life unto our duties (without which the best of our works are but dead works), and renders them acceptable unto the living God. It is not my business at large to pursue and declare these things; I only mention them, that persons who are kept back from a participation of the consolation tendered from the forgiveness that is with God, because they cannot comfortably conclude that they are born again, as knowing that it is such persons alone un- to whom these consolations do truly and really belong, may know how to make a right judgment of themselves. Let such persons, then, not fluctuate up and down in generals and uncertainties, with heartless complaints, which is the ruin of the peace of their souls; but let them really put things to the trial, by the examination of the causes and effects of the work they inquire after. It is by the use of such means whereby God will be pleased to give them all the assurance and establishment concerning their state and condition which is needful for them, and which may give them encouragement in their course of obedience.
But supposing all that hath been spoken, what if a man, by the utmost search and inquiry that he is able to make, cannot attain any satisfactory persuasion that indeed this great work of God's grace hath passed upon his soul ; is this a sufficient gi'ound to keep him off' from accepting of supportment and consolation from this truth, that there is forgiveness with God? which is the design of the objec- tion laid down before. I say therefore farther, that, —
1. Regeneration doth not in order of time 2'>'>^^cede the sotd's interest in the forgivetiess that is luith God, or its being made par- taker of the pardon of sin. I say no more but that it doth not pre-, cede it in order of time, not determining which hath precedency in order of nature. That, I confess, which the method of the gospel leads unto is, that absolution, acquitment, or the pardon of sin, is the foundation of the communication of all saving grace unto the soul, and so precedeth all grace in the sinner whatever. But because this absolution or pardon of sin is to be received by faith, whereby the soul is really made partaker of it and all the benefits belonging thereunto, and that faith is the radical grace which we receive in our regeneration, — for it is by faith that our hearts are purified, as an instrument in the hand of the great purifier, the Spirit of God, — I place these two together, and shall not dispute as to their priority in nature; but in time the one doth not precede the other.