Confidence towards God, explained. 329 who break off their finful courfes by righte- S E R M: oufnefs, and a thorough and effeftual refor- XIII. mation. This is the profeffed defign of the gofpel, the great doctrine taught by john Baptill, and afterwards by our Saviour him - felf. We mull therefore underftand the de- claration in the text according to it ; for Pee- ing the judgment we pronounce upon our - felves hath a neceffary reference to the judg- ment of God, and our hearts condemn or acquit us as we believe he will, his rule of judging muff be ours ; if, notwithflanding many and heinous tranfgreffions, nay, a long continued wicked courfe of life, God will abfolve the penitent, fo that upon his turning from all his fins, that he bath committed, to do that which is lawful and right, and to keep all the flatutes of the Lord, he 'hall furely live; his tranfgrgions(hall not be mentioned to him, in the righteoufnefs of his latter amended life, he (hall live, Ezek. xviii. 21. or, be faved by the divine mercy : If it be fo, the man whofe heart witneffeth for him that he hath fo fincerely repented, that he hath fubmitted to the righteoufnefs that is by faith, that is, to the terms of chriftianity, that he hath brought forth fruits meet for amendment of life, ceafed to do evil and learned to do well ; that man hath con-
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