2. It is hence evident, that an assurance of being regenerate is no way previously necessary unto the helieving of an interest in forgiveness ; so that although a man have not the former, it is, or may be, his duty to endeavour the latter. When convinced persons
698 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4,
cried out, " What sliall we do to be saved?" the answer was, " Be- lieve, and ye shall be so," " Believe in Christ, and in the remission of sin by his blood," is the first thing that convinced sinners are called nnto. They are not directed first to secure their souls that they are born again, and then afterward to believe; but they are first to believe that the remission of sin is tendered unto them in the blood of Christ, and that " by him they may be justified from all things firom which they could not be justified by the law." Nor upon this proposition is it the duty of men to question whether they have faith or no, but actually to believe. And faith in its operation will evi- dence itself. See Acts xiii. S8, 39. Suppose, then, that you do not know that you are regenerate, that you are born of God, — that you have no prevailing, refreshing, constant evidence or persuasion thereof, — should this hinder you? should this discourage you from believing forgiveness, from closing with the promises, and thereby obtaining in yourselves an interest in that forgiveness that is with God? Not at all; nay, this ought exceedingly to excite and stir you up unto your duty herein: for, —
(1.) Suppose that it is oi/ie?'w{se, — that, indeed, you are yet in the state of sin, and are only brought under the power of light and con- viction,— this is the way for a translation into an estate of spiritual life and grace. If you will forbear the acting of faith upon and for forgiveness until you are regenerate, you may, and probably you will, come short both of forgiveness and regeneration also. Here lay your foundation, and then your building will go on. This will open the door unto you, and give you an entrance into the kingdom of God. Christ is the door; do not think to climb up over the v.all; enter by him, or you will be kept out,
(2.) Suppose that you are born again, but yet know it not, — as is the condition of many, — this is a way whereby you may receive an evidence thereof It is good, the embracing of all signs, tokens, and pledges of our spiritual condition, and it is so to improve them ; but the best course is, to follow the genuine natural actings of faith, which will lead us into the most settled apprehensions concerning our relation unto God and acceptance with him. Believe first the forgiveness of sin as the effect of mere grace «,nd mercy in Christ, Let the faith hereof be nourished and strengthened in your souls. This will insensibly influence your hearts into a comforting gospel persuasion of your state and condition towards God ; which will be accompanietl with assured rest and peace.
To wind up this discourse : — Remember that that Avhich hath been spoken with reference unto the state of regeneration in general may be applied unto eveiy particular objection or cause of fear and dis- couragement that may be reduced to that head. Such are all ob-
Ver. 4.] KULES FOR JUDGING AS TO INHERENT DUTY. 599
jections that arise from particular sins, from aggravations of sins by their greatness or circumstances, or relapses into them. The way that the consideration of these things prevails upon the mind unto fear, is by begetting an apprehension in men that they are not regenerate ; for if they were, they suppose they could not be so over- taken or entangled. The rules thereof laid down are suited to the straits of the souls of sinners in all such particular cases.
Lastly, There was somewhat in particular added in the close of the objection, which, although it be not directly in our way nor of any great importance in itself, yet having been mentioned, it is not un- meet to remove it out of the way, that it may not leave entangle- ment upon the minds of any. Now this is, that some know not nor can give an account of the time of their conversion unto God, and therefore cannot be satisfied that the saving work of his grace hath passed upon them. This is usually and ordinarily spoken unto ; and I shall therefore briefly give an account concernmg it: —
1. It hath been showed that, in this matter, there are many things whereon we may regularly found a judgment concerning ourselves, and it is great folly to waive them all, and put the issue of the mat- ter vipon one circumstance. If a man have a trial at law, wherein he hath many evidences speaking for him, only one circumstance is dubious and in question, he will not cast the weight of his cause on that dispvited circumstance, but will plead those evidences that are more clear and testify more fully in his behalf I will not deny but that this matter of the time of conversion is ofttimes an important circumstance, — in the affirmative, when it is known, it is of great use, tending to stability and consolation ; — but yet it is still but a circum- stance, such* as that the being of the thing itself doth not depend upon. He that is alive may know that he was born, though he know neither the place where nor the time when he was so ; and so may he that is spiritually alive, and hath ground of evidence that he is so, that he was born again, though he know neither when, nor where, nor how. And this case is usual in persons of quiet natural tempers, who have had the advantage of education under means of light and grace. God ofttimes, in such persons, begins and carries on the work of his grace insensibly, so that they come to good growth and maturity before they know that they are alive. Such persons come at length to be satisfied in saying, with the blind man in the gospel, " How our eyes were opened we know not ; only one thinof we know, whereas we were blind bv nature, now we see."