ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS. 107 that his sins are forgiven. To think it necessary that the names whereby we are known among ourselves should be written in the promise, in order that we may believe in particular every one for himself, is a vain con- ceit. True, the new name of every child of God is true in the promise; and believing makes it very legible to him. Yea, we find by experience that there is no need of ar- gumentation in this case. The soul, by a direct act of faith, believes its own forgiveness. But I will not dwell here, and proceed to remark, that, 1. It is the duly of every believer to seek assurance of personal forgiveness. The apostle exhorts us all to it, " Let us draw near, in full assurance of faith," Heb. 10 : 22; that is, of our acceptance with God, through forgiveness in the blood of Jesus. And this principle of our faith and confidence he would have us hold fast unto the end, chap. 3 : 14. It is no small evil in be- lievers not to be pressing after perfection in believing and obedience; and some sinful indulgence to self, or the world, or sloth, is often the cause of it. Hence few come up to gospel-assurance. But yet most of our pri- vileges and our comfort depend on this. To encourage to this duty, consider whence this assurance is produced, and what fruit it bears. It is in general the product of special communications of the Spirit. It flourishes not without his sealing, wit- nessing, establishing, , and shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts. See Rom. 5 : 2-5. And what be- liever ought not to long for, and press after the enjoy- ment of these things l Nay, to read of these things in the Gospel, not experiencing them in our own hearts, and yet to sit down quietly without continual pressing after them, is to despise the blood of Christ, the Spirit of grace, and the whole work of God's love. If there are no such things, the Gospel is not true; if there are, and we press not after them, we are despisers of the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=