EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 163 and consolation which it has afforded me in trials, in the mouth of the grave and entrance of eternity, all answering what is declared concerning these things in the word, leave no reason to doubt its reality. I còuld not indeed receive it, until God was pleased to speak it to me. But now, let Satan do his utmost, I shall never cease to bear this testimony, that there is mercy and forgiveness with God. How many thousands may we find in the world, who have had such a seal of this truth in their hearts, that they can not only lay down their lives in the confirma- tion of it, if called thereto, but do cheerfully and tri- umphantly venture their eternal interests upon it. Yea, this is the source of all that peace, serenity of mind, and strong consolation, of which in this world they are made partakers. Now, this is to me, on the principles before laid down, an evidence great and important. God has not mani- fested this truth unto the saints, thus copied it out of his word and exemplified it in their souls, to leave them under any possibility ofbeing deceived. CHAPTER IX. EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS Continued. To the evidences already adduced, we add, VII. God's INSTITUTION OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP is an- other evidence that there is forgiveness with him. All the worship God has appointed to us, and all the honor which we thus render to his holy Majesty, rests on the same foundation, namely, a supposition of forgiveness;
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