the word, as the stony-ground hearers ; and have produced some kind of* fruit, like the thorny ground : but, inasmuch as I " bring forth no fruit to perfection," I am at this very moment a child of Satan, and an heir of perdition.' Would you have an evidence that you are born of God ? Inquire whether you are delivered from the love and power of sin, and following after universal holiness. These are the marks whereby alone you can form any sound judgment: and if you will judge of yourselves by this test, you will remove from the doctrine of Final Perseverance the chief objection that is urged against it; and will render it a blessing, instead of a curse, to your own souls.]
2. In a word of encouragement to those who are writing bitter things against themselves —
[Some, because they feel in themselves remaining infirmi- ties, will conclude that they cannot possibly have been born of God. But we must not so interpret the text, as to imagine that God's people must be absolutely perfect. Were none but the perfect born of God, where should we find a child of God on earth? It is the wilful and deliberate habit of sinning, and not a mere infirmity, that is declared to be incom- patible with a state of grace : and therefore let not a sense of weakness and infirmity cause any one to despond. Yet, on the other hand, it will be well to entertain a holy jealousy over ourselves ; and to avoid too great a laxity in our interpretation of this passage, as well as too great strictness : for if there be in us, what is found in too many professors of religion, an habitual predominance of evil tempers or dispositions of any kind, we are certainly not born of God, but are children of the devil. At the same time, let it be remembered, that the word of inspiration is that great instrument whereby God effects his purposes on the souls of men. By that he begins, and carries on, and perfects, his work within us. Let that, therefore, be precious to us, yea, " more precious than thousands of gold and silver ;" and " let it dwell richly in us, in all wisdom :" so shall we experience it to be " the rod of God's strength," and " have every thought of our hearts brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."]