delayed. O that all such persons might know the day of their visitation ! Let all cry to God for his converting grace : nor let any rest in an external or partial change. Nothing but a cordial compliance with the Gospel, and a real conformity to it, will avail us in the day of judgment.]
2. To the regenerate —
[The foregoing marks have sufficiently characterized these persons. Such persons will do well to reflect on the mercy they have received : the recollection of their past guilt will serve to keep them humble. A consciousness of their remain- ing infirmities will make them watchful : a view of the change wrought in them will make them thankful. Let the regene- rate then adopt the words of the Psalmist1 — let them beware of ever returning to their former waysm : let them press for- ward for higher degrees of holiness and glory n.]
3. To those who doubt to which class they belong —
[Many, from what has been wrought in them, have reason to hope ; yet, from what still remains to be done, they find reason to fear. Hence they are long in painful suspense. But let such remember, that sin, if truly lamented and resisted, does not prove them unregenerate0: on the contrary, their hatred of it, and opposition to it, are hopeful signs that they are in part renewed : nevertheless, let them endeavour to put this matter beyond a doubt p. Let them look to Christ as their almighty deliverer"1: let them pray for, and depend upon, his promised aidr.]
1 Ps. ciii. 1—3. m 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. n Phil. hi. 13, 14.
0 Jam. iii. 2. p 2 Pet. i. 10. i John viii. 36.
r 2 Cor. xii. 9.