322 The Foundation of S E x M. affure our hearts before God ; and our XIII. knowledge of it is juft the fame thing as knowing we are of the truth. The plain meaning, therefore, of the text is, that if our hearts witnefs for us, that we are fincere in doing the will of God, or keeping his commandments, then we have confidence towards him ; but if they witnefs the con- trary, that we wilfully and wickedly break his laws, then the conclufion concerning our - felves is alfo diref±iy contrary, namely, that we have no reafon to hope for his approba- tion, but to expect his difpleafure. This is the doErine which I (hall endeavour in the following difcourfe to explain and eflablifh; and then I Thal) draw fome inferences from it, which, I think, are of great importance and ufefulnefs. I am fenfible this dotrine needeth expli- cation, when we apply it to the prefent Rate of human nature ; a fiate of infirmity and imperfeaion, and to minds ignorant and weak, prejudiced and unattentive; and yet, I believe it may, notwithflanding all thefe difadvantages, be reduced to fuch a cer- tainty, that every man who is truly difpofed to do it, may be able to pafs a right judg- ment upon his own fiate, his own temper and anions, whether they are approved of God Of
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