2. And first, how is this testimony to be distinguished from the presumption of a natural mind? It is certain, one who was never convinced of sin, is always ready to flatter himself and to think of himself, especially in spiritual things, more highly than he ought to think. And hence, it is in no wise strange if one who is vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, when he hears of this privilege of true Christians, among whom he undoubtedly ranks himself, should soon work himself up into a persuasion, that he is already possest thereof. Such instances now abound in the world, and have abounded in all ages. How then may the real testimony of the Spirit with our spirit, be distinguished from this damning presumption?
3. I answer, the holy scriptures abound with marks, whereby the one may be distinguished from the other. They describe in the plainest manner the circumstances which go before, which accompany, and which follow, the true, genuine testimony of the Spirit of God with the spirit of a believer. Whoever carefully weighs and attends to these, will not need to put darkness for light. He will perceive so wide a difference with respect to all these, between the real and the pretended witness of the Spirit, that there will be no danger, I might say, no possibility, of confounding the one with the other.
4. By these, one who vainly presumes on the gift of God, might surely know, if he really desired it, that he hath been hitherto _given up to a strong delusion_, and suffered to _believe a lie_. For the scriptures lay down those clear, obvious marks as preceding, accompanying and following that gift, which a little reflection would convince him, beyond all doubt, were never found in his soul. For instance, the scripture describes repentance, or conviction of sin, as constantly going before this witness of pardon. So, _Repent; for the kingdom of heaven, is at hand_, Matt. iii. 2. _Repent ye, and believe the gospel_, Mark i. 15. _Repent, and be baptized every one of you, for the remission of sins_, Acts ii. 38. _Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out_, chap. iii. 19. In conformity whereto our church also continually places repentance, before pardon or the witness of it. “He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.” “Almighty God――hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them, who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him.” But he is a stranger even to this repentance. He hath never known _a broken and a contrite heart. The remembrance of_ his _sins_ was never _grievous unto_ him, nor _the burthen of them intolerable_. In repeating those words, he never meant what he said; he merely paid a compliment to God. And were it only from the want of this previous work of God, he hath too great reason to believe, that he hath grasped a mere shadow, and never yet known the real privilege of the sons of God.
5. Again, the scriptures describe the being born of God, which must precede the witness that we are his children, as a vast and mighty change, a change _from darkness to light_, as well as _from the power of Satan unto God_: as a _passing from death unto life_, a resurrection from the dead. Thus the apostle to the _Ephesians_; _you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins_, chap. ii. ver. 1. And again, _When we were dead in sins, he hath quickened us together with Christ; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together, in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus_, ver. 5, 6. But what knoweth he concerning whom we now speak, of any such change as this? He is altogether unacquainted with this whole matter. This is a language which he does not understand. He tells you, “He always was a Christian. He knows no time when he had need of such a change.” By this also, if he give himself leave to think, may he know, that he is not born of the Spirit: that he has never yet known God; but has mistaken the voice of nature for the voice of God.