EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 155 fessed to be in them, not to be in them, they think that what they have believed of the things that are without them, is also vain, and that they may be. re- jected altogether. You will say, then, What shall a man do who can- not find experience in himself of what is affirmed in the word l He cannot find the death of Christ cruci- fying sin in him, and, he cannot find the Holy Ghost sanctifying his nature, nor obtain joy in believing. What -shall he then do l shall he not believe or pro- fess those things to be so, because he cannot obtain a blessed experience of them l I answer, our Savior has given full direction in this case : " If any manwill do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John, 7 : 17. Continue in the things revealed in the doctrine of the Gospel, and you shall have a satisfactory ex- perience that they are true, and that theyare of God : cease not to act -faith on them, and you shall find their effects ; for " then shall we know, if we follow on to know the .Lord." Hosea, 6 : 3. Experience will ensue upon permanency in faith and obedience. Yea, the first act of sincere believing will.be accompanied with such a taste, will give the soul so much experience as to produce a firm adherence to the things believed. This is the way to prove "what is that good, and ac- ceptable, and perfect will of God," which is revealed to us." Romans, 12:2. Where there is an inward, spiritual experience of the power, reality, and efficacy of any supernatural truth, it gives great satisfaction, stability, and assur- ance to the soul. It removes from the soul the fear of being, deceived; and gives it tó have the testimony of God in itself. So the apostle tells us, "He that be- lieveth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." I John, 5 : 10. He had discoursed of the manifold
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